How exponential technology is defining the future of New Zealand… and what we can do about it.
Featuring stunning illustrations imagining the future of Aotearoa by Sam Ragnarsson ^ AI.
Paperback and PDF download first edition (2024) now shipping.
"A techno-optimist's manifesto... Ben Reid may be 50 years ahead of most of us in his thinking, but ⏩Fast Forward Aotearoa presents a compelling case for why we urgently need to catch up."
"New Zealand's technology futurist, Ben Reid has recently published a remarkable book ⏩Fast Forward Aotearoa, sharing his multi-year research on emerging technology and the impact and implications on New Zealanders, our society and governance."
"The hive mind of Ben Reid has just released this cacophony on technology, natural capital and vision...his "10 missions and 100 technology solutions to ⏩Fast Forward Aotearoa" are a worthy inspection of decades of his global experience⚡️"
In 2024, you can feel the pace of technological development accelerating on a weekly basis - from artificial intelligence to virtual reality, robotics to nanotech, biological enhancement to space exploration - breakthroughs in emerging technologies are arriving into our lives and shaping the future we will live in. Ready or not.
In parallel, the planet is in the midst of an escalating, hypercomplex, interconnected "Polycrisis" of ecological overshoot, geopolitical instability and techno-capital power concentration.
In his new book ⏩ Fast Forward Aotearoa, futurist Ben Reid explores the key technologies which are defining New Zealand's future - and the increasingly concentrated control of giant international technology companies - exposing in the process national vulnerabilities stemming from an endemic lack of strategic thinking about technology in our public sector, businesses and education system.
He argues that only by renewed investment in building foresight and development capability to harness the newest, exponentially advancing technologies, in collaboration with other aligned parties can these challenges be solved openly and democratically, to secure the future wellbeing and sovereignty of Aotearoa New Zealand's tangata (people), nga puna ora (ecosystems) and whenua (land).
The book lays out an outline for a new national technology strategy for New Zealand in the form of "10 missions and 100 technology solutions to ⏩ Fast Forward Aotearoa".
The book also includes stunning, high-impact AI-generated images which imagine possible futures for New Zealand created by Sam Ragnarsson^AI.
Rapidly advancing technologies are completely reshaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand - our country needs to invest NOW in a national-scale, open source technology strategy to ensure we retain sovereignty and agency to maximise the potential wellbeing of future generations.
Aotearoa's future will be unlike its past
Small country, big challenges…big opportunities
Surveying the escalating, hypercomplex, interconnected "Polycrisis" of ecological overshoot, geopolitical instability and techno-capital power concentration
The Singularity is… here?
A deep-dive across the general and applied technologies shaping the world today
A future history of AI
Ratcheting down energy intensity
Exploring scenarios for how emerging technologies may shape the future
What is "innovation" anyway?
How to fill the technology-shaped hole in Aotearoa's government and private sector
Getting your thinking caps on
10 missions, 100 technology investments to improve Wellbeing and resilience in Aotearoa
Thought Architect & Futurist at RONGO – Sam is a Principal Data and Information expert with extensive experience in working on complex national issues that rely on data and future technology.
Sam has a global career spanning strategic alignment, risk management and interagency collaboration, with a focus on data interoperability and the integration of emerging technologies.
Drawing from his expertise in future technologies and data-driven insights, Sam collaborated with Ben by creating a set of stunning AI-generated illustrations which not only visualize but deeply resonate with the themes and foresight presented in this book.
Join us for special ⏩Fast Forward Aotearoa events around New Zealand during 2024 with Ben Reid, Sam Ragnarsson and guests.
Working with Thought Architect and Futurist Sam Ragnarsson and AI, we have been imagining the future of Aotearoa. Click to expand.
The First Edition (May 2024) printed paperback is available to order from independent book shops throughout Aotearoa. Alternatively, you can purchase directly for NZ$75 (incl. GST) plus shipping within New Zealand. (Wholesale pricing 35% off for orders of 5 or more copies). Please email hello@ffwd.nz to arrange.
Free Digital PDF download also available (Optional NZ$10 contribution) - just sign up to the Fast Forward Aotearoa Substack to receive the link (you can unsubscribe at any time).
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