Darlene Damm

Around the world, people are grappling with the tragic aftermath of the Industrial Era. After three hundred years of extracting resources from the earth to build our modern society, we are now drowning in plastics, pollution, toxic waste, greenhouse gasses, and the environmental consequences of disrupting the planet’s ecosystems and destroying up to half the planet’s biomass. While such extraction was necessary for human progress at the time, we now have Fourth Industrial Revolution… Show more

Around the world, people are grappling with the tragic aftermath of the Industrial Era. After three hundred years of extracting resources from the earth to build our modern society, we are now drowning in plastics, pollution, toxic waste, greenhouse gasses, and the environmental consequences of disrupting the planet’s ecosystems and destroying up to half the planet’s biomass. While such extraction was necessary for human progress at the time, we now have Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, like biotech, that provide us with better options. Show less

Billions of people are living in poverty, dying from hunger and preventable diseases, and struggling to stay alive amidst violence and war. Traditionally, global leaders assumed the only way to help was through short-term humanitarian aid and by fostering political and economic development over the long term. Over the last century, this strategy has both helped and failed billions of people.

Here at Singularity, we are seeing something different: the first group of innovators living in… Show more

Billions of people are living in poverty, dying from hunger and preventable diseases, and struggling to stay alive amidst violence and war. Traditionally, global leaders assumed the only way to help was through short-term humanitarian aid and by fostering political and economic development over the long term. Over the last century, this strategy has both helped and failed billions of people.

Here at Singularity, we are seeing something different: the first group of innovators living in extreme poverty and war zones are now creating successful companies and organizations despite their circumstances. The world has now reached a tipping point of digital saturation where innovators can still access cutting-edge technologies, communities, and customers online despite what is happening in their physical environment. Both humanitarians and traditional investors need to pay attention, as these innovators will be key drivers in solving social problems and driving economic development. Show less

Over the last few months you may have heard the term ESG, or Environmental and Social Governance, in the news. While the topic has become politicized, there are steps companies can take today to cut through the noise and help their investors, customers, and employees better understand the positive difference they are making in the world. This is important given how much Millennials, GenZ value social impact and purpose.

Piquard's article explores trends in artificial intelligence and transhumanism. I was quoted to note that many of the trends hypothesized about ten years ago are now true today. "“Ten years ago, the idea of exponential change, related to Moore's law, was a hypothesis. Today it's happening," thinks Darlene Damm of Singularity University, a Silicon Valley think tank created by Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis, a big proponent of private space exploration and the idea that we could "reverse"… Show more

Piquard's article explores trends in artificial intelligence and transhumanism. I was quoted to note that many of the trends hypothesized about ten years ago are now true today. "“Ten years ago, the idea of exponential change, related to Moore's law, was a hypothesis. Today it's happening," thinks Darlene Damm of Singularity University, a Silicon Valley think tank created by Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis, a big proponent of private space exploration and the idea that we could "reverse" aging." Show less

The climate crisis is complex. It is a problem that was created by every single one of us, some of us more than others, but mainly through the millions of small actions we take every day of our lives: the food we eat, the cars we drive in, and the switches we flip on illuminating and heating our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Darlene Damm, vice president of community and impact at Singularity Group, discusses how simulation technology can help alleviate the climate crisis… Show more

The climate crisis is complex. It is a problem that was created by every single one of us, some of us more than others, but mainly through the millions of small actions we take every day of our lives: the food we eat, the cars we drive in, and the switches we flip on illuminating and heating our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Darlene Damm, vice president of community and impact at Singularity Group, discusses how simulation technology can help alleviate the climate crisis intelligently. Show less

Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now.

In this episode, Andrew talks to Darlene Damm, the Head of Social Impact at Singularity University, about the moonshot technologies that could significantly improve the lives of billions of people around the world.

part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Darlene Damm.

Darlene Damm is Vice President of Community and Impact at Singularity Group. She has spent nearly two decades working on moonshot ideas and impact initiatives designed to solve our world’s toughest social problems.

At Singularity Group, Darlene focuses on helping people understand how exponential technologies are creating abundance in key… Show more

part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Darlene Damm.

Darlene Damm is Vice President of Community and Impact at Singularity Group. She has spent nearly two decades working on moonshot ideas and impact initiatives designed to solve our world’s toughest social problems.

At Singularity Group, Darlene focuses on helping people understand how exponential technologies are creating abundance in key focus areas like the United Nations’ 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). In addition, she focuses on articulating and helping prepare people for new social challenges created by exponential technologies such as technological unemployment, inequality and ethical issues. Show less

Around the world nearly every country is grappling with high levels of unemployment. While COVID-19 ignited this crisis, it is part of a larger shift in the workforce that has been happening for some time. Specifically, over the last two decades the world has been transitioning into a digital society. Even before the pandemic, technological unemployment and digital transformation were hot topics.

In the past, this transition was happening slowly, making us think we had more time to plan… Show more

Around the world nearly every country is grappling with high levels of unemployment. While COVID-19 ignited this crisis, it is part of a larger shift in the workforce that has been happening for some time. Specifically, over the last two decades the world has been transitioning into a digital society. Even before the pandemic, technological unemployment and digital transformation were hot topics.

In the past, this transition was happening slowly, making us think we had more time to plan and prepare. Today, because digital work is more resilient to a pandemic-stricken world, as well as more cost-effective overall, we are forced to make this transition all at once. Show less

In my work at Singularity University, one of the constant concerns I hear from the public is that policymakers and regulators simply cannot keep up with the pace of accelerating technological change, and that this might result in unintended harm to the public. Indeed, over the last few years governments and policymakers around the world have been caught off guard by issues ranging from the arrival of the first genetically engineered babies to the unexpected impact of social networks on… Show more

In my work at Singularity University, one of the constant concerns I hear from the public is that policymakers and regulators simply cannot keep up with the pace of accelerating technological change, and that this might result in unintended harm to the public. Indeed, over the last few years governments and policymakers around the world have been caught off guard by issues ranging from the arrival of the first genetically engineered babies to the unexpected impact of social networks on elections to how to respond to everything from cryptocurrencies to 3D printed guns.

While it is easy to assume we must live in a world where policymaking will always play catch up to technology, this need not be the case. Instead, policymakers and regulators can work ahead of the curve. In fact, The Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), one of the world’s most influential policy shaping organizations established to promote prosperity, equality and opportunity, has done exactly that. Show less

Video Interview with Bernard Koswatch, Head of the World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator and Carmen Burbano, Director of the World Food Programme School Feeding Division.

As schools around the world transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, students, parents, and educators are all wondering what this means for education in the future.

While it may seem difficult to predict how the future will unfold during such uncertain times, some of the most pioneering work happening around us can guide us in our thinking.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator, an Impact Partner of Singularity University, just published their 2019 annual report. It’s full of many great examples of how those working to solve the world’s most urgent social challenges can harness both technology and innovation to do so.

While digital learning has been improving for some time, Covid-19 may not only tip us further into a more digitally connected reality, but also help us better appreciate its benefits. This is important because historically, digital learning has been viewed as inferior to traditional learning. But that may be changing.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created panic and fear around the world, it is also unleashing new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Dr. Daniel Kraft, Singularity’s University’s Chair for Medicine and Founder & Chair of Exponential Medicine is doing exactly that.

Disaster Resilience is one of Singularity University’s global grand challenges. Specifically, we believe in creating a world with effective and efficient disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and rehabilitation that saves lives and livelihoods, minimizes economic loss, and builds resilience both globally and locally.

The graphic novel not only explores what the future of a student, teacher, school and curriculum might look like, but also allows us to imagine and ask other questions: What technologies do we need to invent to improve access and quality of education for both children and, increasingly, adults who need to engage in life-long learning? Where should we invest money? What issues should policymakers, ministries of education and departments of education be considering? What is the role of the… Show more

The graphic novel not only explores what the future of a student, teacher, school and curriculum might look like, but also allows us to imagine and ask other questions: What technologies do we need to invent to improve access and quality of education for both children and, increasingly, adults who need to engage in life-long learning? Where should we invest money? What issues should policymakers, ministries of education and departments of education be considering? What is the role of the private sector, especially in creating learning opportunities for adults in the workplace? Should parents and children have a voice? What is the role of non-profits and foundations? Show less

At Singularity University, we believe that leveraging the convergence of exponential technologies will set us on the path to solving 12 global grand challenges (GGCs): health, environment, security, learning, energy, food, prosperity, water, space, disaster resilience, shelter, and governance.

This report from Singularity University offers a valuable, data-rich, densely-packed examination of each of the 12 GGCs and is a must-have resource for anyone seeking to create positive change in… Show more

At Singularity University, we believe that leveraging the convergence of exponential technologies will set us on the path to solving 12 global grand challenges (GGCs): health, environment, security, learning, energy, food, prosperity, water, space, disaster resilience, shelter, and governance.

This report from Singularity University offers a valuable, data-rich, densely-packed examination of each of the 12 GGCs and is a must-have resource for anyone seeking to create positive change in the world. Show less

Over the last few years, we’ve used Science Fiction Design Intelligence (SciFi DI) workshops to help our clients envision the future of their industry, so we wanted to apply the same approach to solving the Learning global grand challenge. We define solving the Learning global grand challenge as “creating a world with access to information and experiences that build knowledge and skills for all people at all stages of their lives for personal fulfillment and benefit to society.”

We began… Show more

Over the last few years, we’ve used Science Fiction Design Intelligence (SciFi DI) workshops to help our clients envision the future of their industry, so we wanted to apply the same approach to solving the Learning global grand challenge. We define solving the Learning global grand challenge as “creating a world with access to information and experiences that build knowledge and skills for all people at all stages of their lives for personal fulfillment and benefit to society.”

We began by hosting Singularity University’s SciFi DI workshop on the future of learning on February 28th – March 1st, 2019. Show less

As a small child, growing up in a rural farming town on the central coast of California with the largest cities located over 200 miles away, I didn’t really have a good sense of what sort of careers existed in the world, or even what type of work was considered ambitious or routine. Most people simply worked to pay the bills and enjoyed whatever extra free time they had.

As luck would have it, one of the people who did shape my sense of what was possible was a ninety-year-old man named… Show more

As a small child, growing up in a rural farming town on the central coast of California with the largest cities located over 200 miles away, I didn’t really have a good sense of what sort of careers existed in the world, or even what type of work was considered ambitious or routine. Most people simply worked to pay the bills and enjoyed whatever extra free time they had.

As luck would have it, one of the people who did shape my sense of what was possible was a ninety-year-old man named Percy Roope. Percy lived next door to us in a simple manufactured home and spent most of his time feeding the neighborhood blue jays. Despite his simple life, what most people didn’t realize was that Percy was actually somewhat famous—in his younger days, Percy was the assistant to Dr. Robert M. Goddard, the inventor of the world’s first liquid-fueled rockets credited with launching the Space Age.

As a child, I remember listening to Percy describe the spectacular failures and successes of their early days of rocketry near Clark University, and later, in White Sands, New Mexico. Percy would show me yellowed papers, black-and-white photos, and various medals and awards he and the Goddards had received carefully stored away in old shoe boxes. In this sense, even before I was old enough to go to school or form opinions about what was possible or impossible to do in the world, Percy demonstrated that anyone could work on the most extraordinary of projects as if it were a completely normal thing to expect of oneself.
A few years ago, I was thinking about Percy and discovered that Clark University had saved a number of his historical papers, “The Percy Roope Papers.” Curious, I wrote to their librarian, who sent me a thick packet of photocopied materials in the mail.

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Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine what the future of learning might look like.

Do children still go to school, or do schools follow children wherever they go? What happens if these future students and teachers are one and the same, interchangeably student and teacher?

Now imagine a future where every person has a life-long AI companion to help them learn the skills as they grow and the world changes.

SU convened a Science Fiction Design Intelligence (SciFi DI)… Show more

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine what the future of learning might look like.

Do children still go to school, or do schools follow children wherever they go? What happens if these future students and teachers are one and the same, interchangeably student and teacher?

Now imagine a future where every person has a life-long AI companion to help them learn the skills as they grow and the world changes.

SU convened a Science Fiction Design Intelligence (SciFi DI) workshop in Silicon Valley with 50 innovators to explore the future of learning using the tools of science fiction storytelling and then produced a graphic novel depicting what life might look like in the year 2039 through the eyes of four individuals from all over the world. Explore a world of possibilities in the future of learning with characters Yabi, Carlo, and their AI companions (“Nepis”). Follow their journey as they learn and thrive in a future world of exponential learning. Show less

As we move into a world where exponential technologies are driving down costs and democratizing access to basic goods and services including the tools people need to solve their own problems, I believe we are seeing a new field of social impact emerge. This is a field where our scarcity-based social problems will go away, and a new set of social problems, primarily related to ethics, equity, governance, purpose, and resilience, are emerging.

When any new field emerges, it becomes… Show more

As we move into a world where exponential technologies are driving down costs and democratizing access to basic goods and services including the tools people need to solve their own problems, I believe we are seeing a new field of social impact emerge. This is a field where our scarcity-based social problems will go away, and a new set of social problems, primarily related to ethics, equity, governance, purpose, and resilience, are emerging.

When any new field emerges, it becomes important to define what the new problems are, as well as what success looks like in solving those problems. In this post, I make the case that we can actually use Peter Diamandis’ and Steve Kotler’s “Six Ds” framework, originally created to describe why digital technology is so disruptive, as a framework for actually measuring what social impact looks like in an exponential world. Show less

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the future of food. Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic rise in exponential technologies transforming the food industry from seed to plate. Food is important in many ways—too little or too much of it can kill us, and it is often at the heart of family, culture, our daily routines, and our biggest celebrations. The agriculture and food industries are also two of the world’s biggest employers. Let’s take a look to… Show more

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the future of food. Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic rise in exponential technologies transforming the food industry from seed to plate. Food is important in many ways—too little or too much of it can kill us, and it is often at the heart of family, culture, our daily routines, and our biggest celebrations. The agriculture and food industries are also two of the world’s biggest employers. Let’s take a look to see what is in store for the future.
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While it is understandable that the Missouri beef industry wishes to protect itself from fake meat companies, it’s a short-term fix to a very big problem: The real challenge is that the beef industry is now competing with technology companies, and technology companies almost always win. If Missouri beef companies want to stay alive, they will also need to become technology companies.

An interview with Darlene Damm, Vice Chair of Global Grand Challenges at Singularity University on how exponential technologies can help us solve the world's grand challenges

While most people think quantum computing is still a few years off, your next taxi ride in Bangkok may be attached to a quantum computer. Toyota Tsusho and Denso recently announced plans to use a cloud-based D-Wave quantum computer to optimize live traffic data from 130,000 trucks and taxis in Bangkok.

While the quantum computer will not yet direct the vehicles in real time—which could be a logical next step via an app telling drivers where to go or instructions sent to autonomous car… Show more

While most people think quantum computing is still a few years off, your next taxi ride in Bangkok may be attached to a quantum computer. Toyota Tsusho and Denso recently announced plans to use a cloud-based D-Wave quantum computer to optimize live traffic data from 130,000 trucks and taxis in Bangkok.

While the quantum computer will not yet direct the vehicles in real time—which could be a logical next step via an app telling drivers where to go or instructions sent to autonomous car networks—it is an interesting project because it demonstrates how quantum computers could soon be entering our daily lives. Further, it’s a key demo of what machines like those made by D-Wave—which rely on quantum annealing—are good at: optimization and logistics.

To be clear, quantum computers haven’t fully proven themselves in practical applications just yet, but experiments like this are pushing them in that direction. Eventually, as the kinks are worked out, quantum machines will have a wide impact from scientific research to business. But there’s another area that could benefit from their problem-solving prowess too: Social impact.

This is true for three reasons.

First, quantum computers are good at solving logistical and optimization problems, which are the root causes of many social challenges. Second, because quantum computers are a digital technology, they will be increasingly accessible and affordable to social innovators and nonprofits. And third, because quantum computing will be so powerful, those who embrace it first have a historic opportunity to bring their values and ethics into the world at scale.

Let’s dig into each of these a bit more. Quantum Computers Are Good at Solving Logistical Show less

Chapter Contributor: "Building Human Character in a World of Augmented Intelligence"

Join a conversation on ways to harness the benefits of technology and innovation for the many.

While our first instinct might be to help employees find new jobs, what we really need to do is help companies shift into new markets focused on human services and adopt new business models that will allow employees, customers, and communities to benefit from technological change.

Darlene Damm is a Principal Faculty Member for Global Grand Challenges with Singularity University. Darlene works on leveraging exponential technologies to resolve the world’s thorniest societal issues like education, malnutrition, poverty, access to energy and the internet.

Darlene discusses exponential technology, it’s scope and how it is being used to solve the social problems around the world impacting more than a billion people. She refers to some of the start-ups Singularity… Show more

Darlene Damm is a Principal Faculty Member for Global Grand Challenges with Singularity University. Darlene works on leveraging exponential technologies to resolve the world’s thorniest societal issues like education, malnutrition, poverty, access to energy and the internet.

Darlene discusses exponential technology, it’s scope and how it is being used to solve the social problems around the world impacting more than a billion people. She refers to some of the start-ups Singularity University’s’ faculty have mentored successfully who are solving the problems in the healthcare field (ex: diagnosing the disease through artificial intelligence, and one start-up using AI to predict water supply and availability. Another startup is working to produce meat for consumption from stem cells preventing animals from being slaughtered. Show less

Em Florianópolis para participar da 5ª edição do Festival Social Good Brasil, que trará tendências do futuro para um público de mais de 5 mil pessoas, Darlene Damm, americana que é Diretora do Prêmio de Desafios Globais da Singularity University, respondeu à coluna antes de subir ao palco nessa sexta-feira (4). Na instituição criada na Califórnia com apoio da NASA e do Google para resolver os problemas do mundo, Darlene trabalha com tecnologias exponenciais enquanto alternativas para gerar… Show more

Em Florianópolis para participar da 5ª edição do Festival Social Good Brasil, que trará tendências do futuro para um público de mais de 5 mil pessoas, Darlene Damm, americana que é Diretora do Prêmio de Desafios Globais da Singularity University, respondeu à coluna antes de subir ao palco nessa sexta-feira (4). Na instituição criada na Califórnia com apoio da NASA e do Google para resolver os problemas do mundo, Darlene trabalha com tecnologias exponenciais enquanto alternativas para gerar impacto social.

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At Singularity University (SU) we believe it is possible to solve today’s most pressing problems within the next couple decades. We call these the global grand challenges (GGCs). Our ambition and optimism stem from the nature of exponential technologies and their capacity to bring real, affordable solutions to billions in increasingly shorter and shorter time frames—while also empowering all people from around the globe to solve the challenges we each see around us.

A renewable energy revolution is sweeping the developing world in which the world’s poorest are becoming pioneers in renewable energy and the smart grids of the future.

More than half of the world’s cities already experience water shortages on a recurring basis. Karachi – the largest city in South Asia – is facing another summer of water shortages, one out of three of India’s big cities are facing a water crisis, and at the height of the drought in São Paulo last year, 9 million Brazilians were subject to government-enforced water rationing.

While CRISPR, nanobots and head transplants are making headlines as medical breakthroughs, a number of new technologies are also making progress tackling some of the toughest age-old diseases still plaguing millions of people in the poorest parts of the world.

Did you know there is a 25% chance your cause of death will be due to environmental pollution?

According the World Health Organization, some 12.6 million people—or nearly 1 in 4 worldwide—died in 2012 due to living or working in unhealthy conditions. In addition, environmental degradation seriously affects overall quality of life and the balance of Earth’s ecosystems through loss of forests, open spaces, marine environments and biodiversity.

While technological growth and… Show more

Did you know there is a 25% chance your cause of death will be due to environmental pollution?

According the World Health Organization, some 12.6 million people—or nearly 1 in 4 worldwide—died in 2012 due to living or working in unhealthy conditions. In addition, environmental degradation seriously affects overall quality of life and the balance of Earth’s ecosystems through loss of forests, open spaces, marine environments and biodiversity.

While technological growth and industrialization historically contributed to such problems, the latest technologies—from robotics to artificial intelligence to biotechnology—will also help create healthier and greener industries benefiting both people and planet. Show less

Have you ever wondered if the water in your house is safe to drink? While many have been angered by the news that children in Flint, Michigan were exposed to abnormally high amounts of lead in their drinking water, clean water is actually a problem for millions of Americans. Chicago is busy replacing 900 miles of hundred-year-old, potentially hazardous lead pipes, while Fresno is dealing with cancer causing chemicals in wells.

It may seem the solution lies in building larger external agencies to review and monitor an ever-increasing number of new technologies, or in streamlining the regulatory process—but a key part of the solution might actually rest in recognizing how technology can decrease the amount of regulation and enforcement needed.

This article was originally posted on WISE ed.review (http://www.wise-qatar.org/education-technology-artificial-intelligence).

At times it seems we live in a world of science fiction. Space travel is a new commercial industry, auto manufactures are competing to build robotic cars, humans are wearing implanted chips and 3D printed body parts, and tech hubs and accelerators have sprung up in nearly every country.

As this new world emerges, educators are asking what students should… Show more

This article was originally posted on WISE ed.review (http://www.wise-qatar.org/education-technology-artificial-intelligence).

At times it seems we live in a world of science fiction. Space travel is a new commercial industry, auto manufactures are competing to build robotic cars, humans are wearing implanted chips and 3D printed body parts, and tech hubs and accelerators have sprung up in nearly every country.

As this new world emerges, educators are asking what students should be learning as it becomes increasingly clear artificial intelligence and robots will be performing the majority of jobs currently occupied by humans. Show less

Worries about the future often share a critical flaw. They sometimes assume nothing changes, or that change happens more slowly than it does—when instead, awareness of a problem drives people to find solutions to it, reducing the risk.

The ethics of robot cars has been a hot topic recently. In particular, if a robot car encounters a situation where it is forced to hit one person or another—which should it choose and how does it make that choice? It's a modern version of the trolley problem, which many have studied in introductory philosophy classes.

Nonprofits often summon a yawn or condescending praise; but over the last decade, they have been growing fast and proving more resilient to economic turbulence and our changing world than many governments and much of the private sector.

People often ask me why I started working with Ashoka and why I have I stayed with Ashoka for the last eight years. I tell the story of how during my late teens and twenties I worked in Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and other parts of the world where I saw extreme poverty. I remember playing with orphans who lived in a concrete structure with no natural light in Myanmar, watching vulnerable street kids not even ten years old trying to make their living on the streets of Hanoi, and watching… Show more

People often ask me why I started working with Ashoka and why I have I stayed with Ashoka for the last eight years. I tell the story of how during my late teens and twenties I worked in Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and other parts of the world where I saw extreme poverty. I remember playing with orphans who lived in a concrete structure with no natural light in Myanmar, watching vulnerable street kids not even ten years old trying to make their living on the streets of Hanoi, and watching chaos ensue as the Indonesian economy collapsed while I was conducting economic research there. In all these cases, I developed deep friendships and connections with my local counterparts and saw a truth: my local counterparts were just as (or more) intelligent and hard working and capable as I was, yet they were caught in economic, political and social systems that were limiting their potential, harming them and sometimes killing them. Show less

Are women starting companies in the most cutting edge fields and keeping pace with the future? Although many are now learning coding and engineering in school, working for global internet companies and building their own apps—these fields are already mainstream and have less and less room for leadership and influence.

Women need to form companies in the industries of tomorrow to ensure they are personally empowered and positioned to shape the most impactful future markets. But what are… Show more

Are women starting companies in the most cutting edge fields and keeping pace with the future? Although many are now learning coding and engineering in school, working for global internet companies and building their own apps—these fields are already mainstream and have less and less room for leadership and influence.

Women need to form companies in the industries of tomorrow to ensure they are personally empowered and positioned to shape the most impactful future markets. But what are those markets? One of the smartest things a woman can do today is start a company in quantum computing, space exploration or life extension. Show less

From Elon Musk’s tweet that artificial intelligence may be more dangerous than nuclear weapons to the growing clamor of voices warning robots will take away our jobs, it is clear we are focusing more on the problems of AI, robotics, and automation than the solutions. While the problems are real and should be taken into account, social innovators around the world are already working to deliver solutions.

In the industrial era, we lived in a world hallmarked by hierarchies and strict boundaries around companies, organizations, communities, and nations. Today, we are heading into a globalized, networked, transparent world of fast change, where there are many voices at the table, all speaking at the same time—all the time.

While our world should celebrate the democratization that is happening around us—and that has been centuries in the making—we also need to figure out how to peacefully… Show more

In the industrial era, we lived in a world hallmarked by hierarchies and strict boundaries around companies, organizations, communities, and nations. Today, we are heading into a globalized, networked, transparent world of fast change, where there are many voices at the table, all speaking at the same time—all the time.

While our world should celebrate the democratization that is happening around us—and that has been centuries in the making—we also need to figure out how to peacefully coexist and work together to address the needs and perspectives of a growing number of players, whether that be in the workplace or on the Internet. In a world without hierarchical top-down leadership and clear rules, it is increasingly becoming the responsibility of individuals to solve their own problems and get along with others.In short, we need a new operating system for this new world, one with empathy at its core. Show less

It was near midnight. I was alone, driving across the state of Mississippi, and I did not know what was going to happen next.

Sometimes it’s the little things—small acts of courage or kindness—that change the world in a big way.

Why is it that so few women have changed the world on a massive scale in the same way that men have? Where are the female Henry Fords, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates?

Where are the women who have not only started companies, but launched entire new industries disrupting the way the world works?

As a female entrepreneur determined to “put a dent in the universe,” this is what I am observing: To bring about wide-scale change, women need to focus on breaking the rules rather than playing… Show more

Why is it that so few women have changed the world on a massive scale in the same way that men have? Where are the female Henry Fords, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates?

Where are the women who have not only started companies, but launched entire new industries disrupting the way the world works?

As a female entrepreneur determined to “put a dent in the universe,” this is what I am observing: To bring about wide-scale change, women need to focus on breaking the rules rather than playing by the rules. Show less

Ghost Writer/Contributer