Converge: A Futurist s insights into the potential of our world as technology and humanity collide

Description

Multi-award-winning scientific futurist Dr Catherine Ball takes us on an astounding journey through the next big technology breakthroughs that have the potential to positively shape our world. As we face challenges globally on multiple fronts, it's refreshing to hear the positive voice of scientific futurist Dr Catherine Ball. In Converge she presents insights into how technology and science are providing answers to many of the challenges the world is facing today - food shortages, war and conflict, the decline in local manufacturing, health and ageing, and global warming - and asks why we are not embracing these technologies more widely. The answer in many cases is, 'Because we don't know about them!' Well, now we do. Dr Catherine opens our eyes to the amazing, wide world of technological advancements and explores the role we all have in learning more, owning the conversations, and determining what we want technology to be. What is the role AI can play in the resurgence of local manufacturing and creating new jobs? Can we vaccinate against cancer? How can drones save lives and assist Mother Nature in her fight to stop humans destroying our beloved planet? And how can we utilise the best modern technologies to live longer, healthier and happier lives? Written with wit, tenacity, and deeply personal experiences, Converge offers an optimistic, in-depth and fascinating investigation into the possibilities of a world where humans fully embrace technology. Some futurists review research and report on what it tells us about the future. Other futurists look to the future and dream. Dr Catherine Ball looks to the future and rolls up her sleeves to find out where science and technology will be useful - and to ensure we leave a legacy of hope for future generations.

Dr Catherine Ball is one of Australia s leading scientific futurists and tech influencers. For years she has wowed audiences, boardrooms, university students and thousands of online followers with her vision for the future, combining her understanding of current technologies with predictions of where they are heading, and the pitfalls, challenges and opportunities along the way. She is global visioneer to XPRIZE, an advisor to the Schmidt Ocean Institute and an Associate Professor at the Australian National University, as well as a globally award-winning leader in the drone industry and a sought-after public speaker and consultant in the tech, startup, and futurist worlds. Converge is her first book.

Dr Catherine Ball doesn't just describe our future challenges and potential solutions, she brings them to life with a clarity and urgency that's impossible to ignore. - Professor Brian Schmidt AC, Nobel Laureate; Vice-Chancellor and President, Australian National University From Big Data to FrankenFoods, from Spacecations to the Metaverse, Catherine Ball takes us on a wild ride into our future. - Adam Spencer, broadcaster and University of Sydney Ambassador Finally! A book that shows us the opportunities that tech and humanity can embrace, rather than the battle of who wins. Catherine takes us on a broad and deep tour of the rich tapestry that might be the future - if we dare to believe. - Dom Price, work futurist, Atlassian Catherine has a unique ability to synthesise the advances in technology into a compelling vision of what our future could hold. - Kylie Ahern, CEO and Founder, STEM Matters Who better to predict our future than someone inventing it? - Professor Toby Walsh, UNSW Laureate Fellow, world leading researcher in artificial intelligence and author of Machines Behaving Badly For those of us not interested in toys for boys, this is a compelling book about the brilliant technology we all really need for a better future. - Robyn Williams AO, host of ABC Radio National's The Science Show A provocative and intellectual force, Dr Cath hands us confronting facts about the future and asks the greatest question of all - what part do YOU want to play? - Andrea Clarke, author of Future Fit In an increasingly complex and often disturbing world, the sensible calls to action in this book remind us there are achievable ways of taking greater responsibility for steering towards a more positive collective future. - Professor Katherine Daniell, School of Cybernetics, Australian National University; Chevalier, Ordre national du Merite I couldn't put this book down, and I'm sure you will feel the same once you open to the first page. Thanks, Cath, for sharing your brain! - Professor Sarah Pearson, Non Executive Board Member, Global Innovation Fund; Member of ANU Council Converge is a shocking but necessary reminder of how asleep the world is, coupled with a motivational and clear way to wake it up. I'll be thinking about Converge for a long time to come. - Sarah Bartholomeusz, author and entrepreneur, You Legal Pty Ltd A fantastic and timely book by one of the industry's premier leaders. - Adjunct Professor Alex Antic, RMIT; Executive Board Member, Global AI Ethics Institute Dr Catherine makes complex topics easy to understand. Water-cooler conversation is about to get 100 times nerdier. - Amanda Johnstone, CEO of Transhuman This is a rollicking read from start to finish. Catherine relates an optimistic future despite the challenges of complexity, uncertainty and disruption. - Associate Professor Sarah Kelly OAM, Marketing & Law, University of Queensland Business School Converge is a much-needed reminder that while technology will change the future, exactly how it does that is up to each of us. - Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission Dr Catherine Ball is a true storyteller, and it's refreshing to read her perspectives on how we may just need to look at things a little differently to make immediate and permanent positive change. - Vanessa Garrard, serial entrepreneur, EY Australian Entrepreneur of the Year