Abstract Summary
All talk of the future contains faster chips, more bandwidth, higher resolutions, cheaper memory, more immersiveness, smarter AI. In short; The future is more of Moore's Law. We explored several pathways in which the future of digital technology looks differently. Either because we collectively would desire it to be so, or because we are forced to deal with events that limit availability. Driving factors challenging growth lie in, among others, planetary boundaries, geopolitical tensions, disrupted supply chains, too large complexity, public health policies and changing economic regimes. We developed three future scenarios in which endless digitalization is compromised. They are based on a literature study and interviews with experts in these topics, and a futuring workshop with scientists, artists and entrepreneurs held in the summer of 2023. These scenarios open the black box of digitalization, exploring the ways in which it is (re)produced through very specific material supply chains, energy politics, industrial policies and public procurement decisions. Change the global geography of chip production, for example, and different futures open up. While challenging mainstream digital policies in Europe, the scenarios leave open what they might means for cities. Which digital agendas, and which “blueprints for messy cities” are wise to adopt? During this workshop we will (a) present, validate and improve the scenarios with the participants; (b) per scenario identify the top three measures that should be included in urban policy strategy would this scenario come true. This will form the basis of a policy brief that AMS will publish together with the scenarios. We will target and invite a triple helix audience (regional policymakers, industry, scientists), amongst others from the Nationale Coalitie Duurzame Digitalisering (which AMS and Amsterdam signed together with 40+ other partners). Especially experts studying, working in or regulating the IT sector are invited. Participants will have the opportunity to review the scenarios beforehand. No special knowledge on digital technologies is required, other than a critical view on its recent development. The workshop will be hosted by Joppe van Driel and Thijs Turèl.
