hands-on leaders in fields including
artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare,
big data, robotics and many more.
They seek to “apply exponential
technologies to address humanity’s grand
challenges”. While normal universities
may make the case that they help to solve
humanity’s challenges, this can be hard to
see as professors specialise in incredibly
narrow fields of study, such as the effect of
a single molecule on a chemical pathway or
the particular meaning of a text written by
a long-dead philosopher.
Singularity University believes that
advances in science and technology are
driving an exponential rate of improvement
across many fields, that, when considered
together, can solve humanity’s oldest and
most persistent problems such as poverty,
hunger and saving our environment. The
university is a company that supports
education, new-tech firms, NGOs,
governments and others to work together
and move ahead.
Students were energised by this novel,
forward-looking approach. Student Andrew
Kwok of The Hong Kong Polytechnic
University (PolyU) says he felt like he was
“attending a school that has a curriculum
from 2020”. Zhou Juntai says he is ready
to tackle the big challenges after attending
Singularity University, excited by an
experience that “introduced many amazing
technologies to me, and encouraged me to
contribute to solving the global challenges
with my knowledge”.
Expand your mind
The LKSF invited students directly,
addressing them as “solvers and thrivers
who have the potential to change
our world”. Those solvers loved the
programme, and as attendee Peter Gu
explains, “Every speech in Singularity
University was really inspiring and quite
different from traditional ones. It let us
know what the coolest people in the world
are doing.”
One of those ‘coolest people’ is Chipp
Norcross, Singularity University’s
Managing Director for Executive and
Custom Programs. He spoke regarding
the nature of exponential growth and
encouraged students to go beyond
linear thinking. While students may
do well in traditional linear learning
and memorisation, the nature of future
growth would involve an acceleration of
progress, demanding new ways of applying
knowledge.
The Foundation hoped the day would help
students “expand their minds” and “give
a free, quality programme for Hong Kong
students” who perhaps couldn’t otherwise
afford it. LKSF prepared students by asking
them to consider, before arriving, questions
such as “Would you let a robot drive you to
school? Would you let a robot cook all your
meals?” and “Would you trust your health
exclusively to a robot/AI doctor?” Game-
changing technologies, when applied,
won’t be remote or obscure, but will be a
part of daily life. Students designing and
using this tech need to think about how it
will change people’s lives.
The broad range of technologies discussed
included digital biology, AI and robotics,
digital manufacturing and 3D printing, and
more. Students had ample opportunity
to engage with the top-notch Singularity
University faculty, flown in from Silicon
Valley. Those thinkers gave advice that,
while welcome, may prove to be easier
said than done. Like managers told to
Seeking: 300 solvers and
thrivers who have the potential
to change our world.
“Would you let a robot drive you to school? Cook your meals?”
Students ponder their place in a near future more science than fiction.
Sphere
#40
2016
27
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