The world is on the precipice of a fourth industrial revolution, one driven largely by Silicon Valley innovators. The first revolution was marked by steam-powered engines that transformed agricultural society into industrial and urban life; the second harnessed electricity and introduced mass production. The third unfolded here in Silicon Valley, powered by computing to usher in the digital age. The fourth is conceivably the most disruptive of all, and it too emanates from Silicon Valley: artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing, materials science, and the convergence of IT with bio- and nanotechnology. The lines are blurring between the physical, digital and biological spheres.
This fourth revolution can improve the quality of living and fuel rapid economic growth. Consider how computer vision is making medical diagnoses more accurate; machine translation is making it easier for ideas to cross language barriers. Yet what of the millions who face job insecurity as automation rapidly evolves? How can new regulatory frameworks be created to avoid amplifying prejudice and inequality? How can we shape the risks and rewards so that these emerging technologies serve humanity?
The panel organized in partnership with the Computer History Museum and moderated by the museum’s CEO and longtime Silicon Valley tech leader Dan’l Lewin, includes Murat Sömnez of the World Economic Forum, Fei-Fei Li of Stanford’s Artificial Intelligence Lab, and Santa Clara University professor and Google ethicist/researcher Shannon Vallor, who will chart the future as they see it and explore AI's ramifications.
State of the Valley is Silicon Valley’s annual "town meeting” – a tradition at least as old as our nation’s founding, when concerned citizens met on the village green to mobilize for the challenges ahead. In that same spirit, Joint Venture’s town meeting convenes the entire region – concerned citizens and stakeholders, thought leaders and opinion makers, journalists, our elected representatives, educators and academics, business executives, labor and workforce leaders – for dialogue and discussion about the Valley’s challenges and opportunities.
Established in 1993, Joint Venture Silicon Valley provides analysis and action on issues affecting our region's economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community—to spotlight issues and work toward innovative solutions.
San Jose Convention Center
150 West San Carlos St.
San Jose,
CA 95113,
95113
