Using Information Technology to Meet 21^ST Century Challenges and Opportunities
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
9:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The 20th century was a remarkable century of innovation. Some of the greatest world-changing innovations of that century are listed in The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) book, “A Century of Innovation.” The criteria for inclusion on the list was the innovation’s benefit to human society and to our quality of life, as determined by a vote of NAE experts. The key enabler for the innovations on the list was the number-one innovation – electrification – which allowed power to be delivered at a low cost to factories and individuals, leading to the Industrial Revolution.

Civilization in the 21st century faces tremendous challenges that more than rival even the most serious challenges of the last century. The key enabler for success in this century seems to be the distribution of knowledge, rather than the distribution of power. Knowing will be more important than owning. The key to success will be the global proliferation of devices that increase the sharing of knowledge – computational, visualization, and communication devices, along with the global connectivity provided by wireless technology and the Internet.

Join Eugene (Gene) Meieran, Intel Senior Fellow, as well as technology leaders and scientists from around the U.S. as they continue the discussion on this topic that Meieran shared at IDF last September. Here is what you will get from this inspiring and informative Industry Insight:

• Overview of some of the global, and potentially catastrophic, challenges that face 21st century society
• Overview of some of the enormous opportunities modern technology is providing and will provide
• See how the sharing and management of information and knowledge through emerging information technology will be used to address future challenges and opportunities
• Hear the views of world-renowned technologists and thought leaders on this critical topic
• Get the latest projections of the future and learn how technology and innovation will be used to both avoid impending natural and man-made disasters, as well as simply improve quality of life

There will be time for questions from the audience.