SingularityU Benelux

What happens if we run out of the element that enables life? Already today, 2/3 of the world population faces water shortages. Through our food, products and energy, our water footprint stretches out further than we might realize. With water as a human right, it remains difficult to put a value and ownership on it. This century will be about technological advances to get access to more water out of unconventional sources, to re-use water and to increase efficiency. Through different examples of water challenges worldwide, we get a glimpse of the multi-stakeholder management our most precious resources. Will it be possible to move from scarcity to abundance?

Learn more about Sid Vollebregt and the Future of Water at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/sid-vollebregt/

Proteins are a valued part of our diet, yet their production is resource intense and especially animal proteins have a large environmental impact. New technologies collectively referred to as cellular agriculture aims to provide the same products, e.g. meat, through alternative methods with much higher efficiency and smaller footprint. By their perceived disruptive nature and because food is emotion rather than reason, cellular agriculture technologies reveal the tension between rational benefits of innovation and emotional resistance against the prospects of future innovative realities. These aspects are discussed using cultured meat as an example.

Learn more about Mark Post and the Future of Food at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/mark-post/

Deborah has a deep interest in the reasons why people are suspicious of new technologies. And why it is that, throughout history, the same arguments have been used over and over again to express fears and concerns regarding new technologies. She is currently developing a set of design strategies, enabling companies to apply new technologies in a way that delivers maximum value to users, resulting in higher adoption rates.

Learn more about Deborah Nas and Strategic Design for Technology-based Innovation at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/deborah-nas/

As a Faculty Fellow at Singularity University she investigates the societal and cultural impact of exponential technologies. Her focus is on changing ideas about humanity in technological contexts such as Artificial Intelligence, (autonomous) robotics, information technologies, and digital environments. Additionally, Alix has written about cyberpunk and science fiction literature, autonomous weapons, and embodied robotics. She has an MA in Cultural Analysis and has graduated from Singularity University’s Graduate Studies Program in 2015. Her most recent publication is a chapter in Augmented Intelligence: The Future of Work and Learning (2018).

Learn more about Alix Rübsaam, Critical Thinking, Decision Making & Ethics at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/alix-rubsaam-2/

Nanotechnology is always 5 years away from disrupting material research and our daily lives. Traveling around the globe and speaking with more than 1000 researchers gave Aaike a good overview what is happening in the field of material research and enables him to predict what really will happen in the near future. There are two major fields in material research that will be covered in this talk: biotech and nanotech.

Learn more about Aaike van Vugt and Nanotechnology at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/aaike-van-vugt/

Exponential technologies are transforming how we work, how we co-exist, and how we lead as positive #ChangeAgents. This session will explore some of the debates about what the future of work will be if exponential trends continue, as well as the ripple effects of such trends on how societies govern themselves in a networked era and what new strategies private or public sector leaders will need to employ to be effective. Come prepared to both learn and share your thoughts on the hard society-level questions for our shared exponential future ahead.

Learn more about dr. David A. Bray and his view on Impact and Disruption at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/dr-david-a-bray/

Tools that were only available to the wealthiest research labs are being democratized such that small teams the world over, can now accomplish what only governments and corporations could do just 15 years ago. Our understandings of the past are no longer sufficient to inform us about where we are headed as a species. Understand how exponential growth in technology will accelerate human progress towards the edge of what’s possible. Extended reality is the spectrum of immersion from Augmented to Virtual Reality. Jody will provide an overview of all of the different technologies, what they’re each good for, how they work with our brains, and how rapidly the market is expected to grow. Next, she’ll discuss the implications of these technologies on humanity, and how they unleash truly Superhuman abilities.

Learn more about Jody Medich and her view on Exponentials, AR and VR at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/jody-medich/

The nature of being human is tumbling from solution to solution. This is also the nature of life and reality. Our freedom, beauty, and existence, therefore, requires us to come to a new solution for the problems the other solution caused. The world is dynamic, not static it isn't a pretty picture for us to live in forever.

Learn more about Jaron Lanier and his view on the Future of the Internet at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/jaron-lanier/

Jamie speaks worldwide about digital technology and its impact on politics, economics, and morality. He is as happy discussing AI and blockchain as he is speaking about the future of politics, economics, and law. Recent and forthcoming engagements include events at Microsoft, Google, Harvard, Stanford, the British Academy, the Royal Society of Arts, the Financial Times Weekend Festival, The Times Cheltenham Book Festival, Seattle Town Hall, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.

Learn more about Jamie Susskind and his view on the future of Politics at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/jamie-susskind/

Why are we investing so much money into solar energy, new energy system, and electric cars?
But why are our carbon emissions still are going up?

The reason is that we aren't looking at it from a systems perspective. It's not only because people don't like changing. There is also a lock-in effect. The collective result of this is that we are creating massive problems.

There is a group of scientists in Stockholm, who have defined nine planetary boundaries, so nine ceilings. What we are trying to do is to try to change the rules of the game. So people can bend this exponential growth curve. We have crossed the tipping point from four out of the nine boundaries, so it's looking not good. I believe that it's reversible. Change can happen extremely quickly, and it is possible to create technological shifts that can bend these exponential curves.

So we know we can make it happen, it is just a matter of getting people to do it.

Eva Gladek - SingularityU Benelux Brussels Summit (23-24 Sept 2019)

Learn more about Eva Gladek and her view on Circular Economies at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/eva-gladek/

How can the entrepreneurial mindset scale? Holacracy® offers a radical new answer to this question, in the form of a set of tested and customizable self-management practices. With Holacracy in place, every team member gains the ability to make meaningful decisions and drive change in service of the organization’s purpose. In addition to clarifying agreements and expectations, and increasing transparency, the Holacracy approach promises to fundamentally rewire your organization’s approach to power.

Learn more about Brian Robertson and his view on Unleashing Empowerment in Organizations at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/brian-robertson/

Artificial intelligence and its impact on the future. AI technology will radically change the way we work, live and learn over the next decade. What changes should you expect, what preparations should you do? And why is it that some people seem overly excited about this, while it honestly is a little overwhelming and scary sometimes? This talk will take us through what AI is (and isn’t), specific use case examples, the ethical implications and consequences that we need to discuss and some future scenarios.

Learn more about Anita Schjøll Brede and her view on Artificial Intelligence at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/anita-schjoll-brede/

Flying people into space is hard – getting to space and staying there in a sustainable way is even harder. As we move forward with the manned exploration of our solar system, we can no longer rely exclusively on logistical support from our home planet. We will increasingly need to live off what resources we find locally. At ESA, we have been investigating how we can utilize local lunar resources to sustain our astronauts for longer periods of time and provide them with the infrastructure needed to survive sustainably. In this talk, we outline the challenges of living off-world and how we can change the paradigm of space exploration using space resources.

Learn more about Aidan Cowley and his view on Industrializing Space at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/aidan-cowley/

As a racing yacht skipper in Big Ocean Races, you sail with a team for 27 days in a row. To win the race, you need to cope with 24hr decision-making, which has a crucial impact on team performance and safety, far away from civilization. Under the most extreme circumstances, leadership is challenging and confronting, but above all: inspiring.

With each big-data performance tool available for speed, life science, and Environment, it becomes an art to bring a rational approach and determination closer together. Simeon will take you on a journey about life and death decision-making in the world's most brutal arena of top-sport.

Learning about our Leadership is a start; learning to improve it is the next step. Therefore SU Benelux is hosting an Executive Program this November.

Want to know more or apply for a seat? https://subnl.eu/ep-youtube

Improvements in health technologies are increasing our average life expectancy tremendously. Kris, a medical doctor with a passion for health and biotech, will address how better health and longevity will greatly impact our society.

Learn more about Kris Verburgh, Health and Longevity at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/kris-verburgh/

Technologies based on engineered living systems radically change the way we manufacture materials, feed and cure ourselves. Those who control life, control the future. Synthetic biology holds the key to making technology that is compatible with nature and forces us to rethink the relationship of nature and technology. The digital revolution has enabled a biological revolution that is accelerating faster than ever. Breakthroughs in reading, writing and editing DNA offer new solutions for the production of cleaner energy, smarter drugs or plants that survive in difficult climates.

Learn more about Nadine Bongaerts and Synthetic Biology at:
https://www.subenelux.org/people/nadine-bongaerts/