Our work on Technology
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Autonomous Vehicles: Opportunities for Glasgow
On 4 July 2018, the Futures Forum held a seminar on the opportunities for Glasgow from the development of autonomous vehicles. Hosted by Glasgow City Council and produced in conjunction with Jacobs and Glasgow Chambers of Commerce, the event was chaired by Councillor Jen Layden and featured a keynote introduction from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for…
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Autonomous Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future
On 21 June 2018, Scotland’s Futures Forum hosted a seminar on the opportunities and challenges presented by the development of autonomous vehicles. A panel discussion chaired by Gail Ross MSP, Deputy Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, saw contributions from four industry experts: Sarah McCartney and Kate Carpenter from Jacobs Ltd Iain Forbes,…
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Scotland 2030: Technology and Society
On Friday 10 November, in conjunction with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Futures Forum held a Scotland 2030 Programme discussion on technology and society in Inverness. Chaired by the Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP, the panel for this event comprised Dr Chris Van Der Kuyl FRSE, owner of 4G, the Minecraft game developers; Futures…
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Scotland 2030: Young People and Technology
On 27 October 2017, the Futures Forum held a joint consultation event with the Scottish Youth Parliament on the question of technology. Chaired by Maree Todd MSP as a Futures Forum director, the debate covered young people’s hopes and fears about the role of technology in their lives, and their thoughts about how to make…
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Technology: the driving force of human civilisation?
The first line of an article I read this morning proclaimed that: “Technology has driven human civilisation for thousands of years.” [1] Businessman Mukesh Ambani was discussing the opportunities for India to become a world leader in technology as humanity sits on the cusp of a fourth Industrial Revolution that looks set to blur the…
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News from 2030 by Karine Polwart
As part of the launch of our Scotland 2030 Programme in March 2017, we asked award-winning folk singer, songwriter and essayist Karine Polwart (@IAMKP) to reflect on the cultural implications for our society from technological change. In response, Karine brought three imagined news stories from 2030. Karine read the stories and reflected on why she wrote them….
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Scotland 2030: The Technological Context
This debate with Karine Polwart and Chris van der Kuyl in March 2017 explored the effect technological innovation would have on life in Scotland.
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Betty Bags a Booker by Karine Polwart
An imagined news story from 2030 by Karine Polwart. Written in 2017, “Betty Bags a Booker” reflects on the effect of automation on our society and culture.
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A Digital Haven by Karine Polwart
An imagined news story from 2030 by Karine Polwart. Written in 2017, “A Digital Haven” reflects on the mixed effect of technology on Scotland’s rural areas.
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Karmic Payback by Karine Polwart
An imagined news story from 2030 by Karine Polwart. Written in 2017, “Karmic Payback” reflects on the role of apps and personal data in our health and wellbeing.