Fast Forward into the Future at Atlanta History Center

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School accelerates into the future on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with “Fast Forward,” an evening of public, TED-type talks at the Atlanta History Center. Forward-thinking speakers will offer presentations intended to stimulate conversation about the scientific, academic, and cultural breakthroughs shaping our not-too-distant future.

Featured are: Martin Ford, author of the bestseller “Rise of the Robots”; architect Trung Le, who designs spaces noted for their openness, natural light, and transparency; screenwriter and educator Joe Conway, co-author of the 2015 film “After the Fall”; and Larry Freil from Georgia Tech’s FIDO Project (Facilitating Interactions for Dogs with Occupations), which, among other achievements, has produced high-tech, canine vests that help dogs communicate with their handlers.

Two lucky audience members will be able to move into the future with drones being given away at the event. Must be present to win.

The event is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets here:

http://www.hispeakerseries.org/tickets.html

Martin Ford, author of the 2015 New York Times science bestseller “Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future,” is a leading expert on the robot revolution, artificial intelligence, job automation, and the impact of accelerating technology on workplaces, the economy and society.

In “Rise of the Robots,” Ford argues that the growth of automation threatens the employment of highly educated professionals such as lawyers, radiologists, and software designers. In fact, he suggests that advances in robotics and artificial intelligence could eventually make much of the human workforce obsolete.

Architect Trung Le is a design educator who is rethinking the way schools use space. In 2014, he co-founded WONDER, by Design—A Learning and Design Expedition, described as “an education design agency that lives at the intersection of learning, design and innovation.” The Wonder team collaborates with educational institutions and communities to create systemic strategies for positive change.

In a book Le authored with collaborators, “The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching & Learning,” he explores how design can transform the ecology of learning. Articles about his projects have appeared in Architectural Record, the Edutopia website, and Fast Company, and he has done TEDx talks on subjects like The Future of Learning.

Larry Freil is a doctoral student at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Human Centered Computing program. Freil’s two main areas of research are: developing technologies that allow people paired with service dogs to better communicate with their assistance animals; and using brain/computer interfaces to improve communication among disabled people and those around them. Freil will speak on the research and technology involved with working dogs.

Joe Conway is an educator, screenwriter, and film producer. While teaching English in Texas, he met writer/director Terrence Malick (“The Thin Red Line”), which led to “Undertow,” Conway’s first produced script. Another Conway script, “Paradise, Texas,” was released in late 2005. “After The Fall” had its world premiere at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, and it won the 40th Anniversary Award at the Deuville Film Festival last July.

Conway is now working on an adaptation of the bestseller “Journal Of The Dead,” and has just optioned a TV drama about an FBI agent trying to solve a series of murders on a nuclear complex in the South.

He will speak on the future of the cinematic arts.

The Atlanta History Center is located at 130 Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305.