Science in the Age of Experience: Day 2 Recap

Before we start in on the highlights from Day 2 of Science in the Age of Experience, lets take a quick look back at the excitement from Day 1:

First up on Day 2 is a keynote address by Dr. Michio Kaku, Theoretical Physicist, Professor, Futurist and New York Times best-selling author. He’s an acclaimed speaker and popularizer of science. Known for his ability to challenge his audiences to think outside the box while still making complex concepts understandable, accessible and relevant, he didn’t let us down.

Dr. Kaku began his talk with the question he’s asked scientific luminaries in over 300 interviews: “Is there intelligent life…on earth?” But then, he went on to list what he called the 10 challenges for the future:

1. Can we simulate life?
2. Can we make supersonic jets that don’t have a sonic boom?
3. Can we accurately predict the path of hurricanes?
4. Can we simulate a super battery?
5. What is holding back the solar revolution?
6. Can we simulate our dreams and print them out?
7. Can we simulate the brain – digitalization of the human mind?
8. Can we replace Moore’s Law? The next step is quantum computers.
9. Can we simulate ourselves? for digital immortality?
10. Is the universe a simulation?

He also asked – “Where does wealth and prosperity come from?” His answer – from Science and technology; and he says it comes in waves.

Wave 1 was in the 1800s and involved the discovery and application of thermodynamics with the steam engine. Wave 2 was around 1880 with the Electric Age. Wave 3 came with the transistor and quantum theory in the 1960s. He posits that Wave 4 will be Physics at the molecular level; and Wave 5, Physics at the atomic level. All this is in the near future; in fact, the second half of this century.

The next speaker was Dr. Geneviève Berger, Chief Research Officer at Firmenich.  She also served as Chief Research and Development Officer and member of the Leadership Executive team at Unilever (2008 to 2014), is the author of many patents and publications, has practiced medicine (medical doctor and professor), as well as managed one of the world’s largest research institutions, the CNRS.  Additionally, she has held key business roles as Non-Executive Director, Smith & Nephew PLC (2010-2012) and Non-Executive Director, Unilever (2007-2008). Dr. Berger holds three doctorates, in Physics, Human Biology and Medicine, and has been recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the most powerful women in business.

Next, David Holman,Vice President R&D and SIMULIA Brand Leader at Dassault Systèmes overseeing all simulation strategy, hosted a panel to explore what is driving product innovation that boosts business and customer experience, what are the big disruptions, and how science and technology are coming together to change the face of innovation.

The panel featured Patrizio Carlucci, Head of Innovation Lab at ECCO Sko A/S. Patrizio is an industrial designer by trade and always passionate about innovation, experiencing first-hand the profound transformation of design and engineering processes related to product design and development.

Landon Taylor is Chief Executive Officer of Base 11. He is a seasoned operator and corporate strategist with 25+ years of experience in maximizing revenue, increasing earnings and strengthening the brand reputation of large, complex businesses. In his current role with Base 11, Landon drives the organization’s strategic vision and growth, resulting in the national expansion of the company’s STEM regional ecosystems.

Arthur Dubois is the head of Analysis & Stress at Joby Aviation, an aerospace startup based in Santa Cruz, CA. Joby focuses on enabling Urban Air Mobility solutions through electric Vertical Take-off Aircraft operated as air taxis. Arthur is a longtime simulation expert who has adopted the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. He holds a Mechanical Engineering Degree from McGill University and a Master in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford University.

For the event’s final keynote, we had Neil Gershenfield, Director of Center for Bits and Atoms, MIT. Dr. Gershenfeld’s unique laboratory is breaking down boundaries between the digital and physical worlds, from pioneering quantum computing to digital fabrication to the Internet of Things. Technology from his lab has been seen and used in settings including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, rural Indian villages, the White House, the World Economic Forum, inner-city community centers, automobile safety systems, Las Vegas shows and Sami herds.

These two days at Science in the Age of Experience have been an amazing journey of discovery into what science delivers.

We have brought the virtual and the real much closer together

We have seen that science and technology are changing the paradigm for better living, product innovation and sustainability of our planet. Without science, we cannot rise to the environmental and societal challenges that we face.

Thanks to our speakers, participants, attendees — everyone for their presence and enthusiasm.

See you next year!