Converging technologies for enhancing human performance: science and business perspectives.
Our goal is to provide a rough sketch of some of the possible implications of converging technologies for enhancing human performance ((Roco and Bainbridge, 2002)) from both a science and a business perspective. Converging technologies refers to a type of coevolutionary progress that is characterized by rapid advances across multiple areas of technology (nano-bio-info-cogno or NBIC), accelerated by interdisciplinary cross-fertilization as the advances in one area spill over and speed progress in other areas. The rapid, multi-front progress characteristic of converging technologies results in better technological capabilities which are faster and cheaper, and can be broadly applied for many different purposes. In this paper, we specifically explore applications of converging technologies for enhancing human performance, that is, enhancing our human ability to achieve goals both individually and collectively. These applications hold the promise to make people healthier, wealthier, and wiser as well as to make businesses more responsive, resilient, and adaptive.
Spohrer
James C
JC
Almaden Services Research, Almaden Research Center, E2-202, 650 Harry Road, San Jose, CA 95120, USA. spohrer@almaden.ibm.com
Engelbart
Douglas C
DC
D005075:Biological Evolution; D024803:Biomedical Enhancement / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006803:Human Development; D007221:Industry / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012586:Science / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D018511:Systems Integration; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis