Session 10 (week 11): Technology Assessment and Forecasting - Developing a Framework for understanding what comes next

Unfortunately, I missed this session due to a major migraine. It was not the first time it struck this semester, but the first time it struck on a Monday morning. So, instead of giving my thoughts on the various presentations, my comments and suggestions will be confined to the readings that were provided for this week.

Before I continue, just wanted to share this video of an ULTRA-portable laptop. I'm not so sure when it will be available, but it will help lift a weight of most people's shoulders :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_XcfwXSNq0&feature=related

It is undoubtedly important to have a framework in place to assess the risks and benefits of new and emerging technologies and decide which of them should be implemented. While nobody knows what the future has to hold, we can at least guess, can't we? Technology implemented without thought of its repercussions can cause severe damage to our societies.

Of the different technology assessment techniques proposed, the best model (or ideas for a technology assessment institute) appears to be that suggested by Richard Schlove from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in "Reinventing Technology Assessment". The new technology assessment criteria he set out for organizations are:

(1) to involve citizens and obtain expert analysis - they complement each other in understanding the situation
(2) need for a decentralized, agile and collaborative structure - allows the institution to keep pace with 21st century needs
(3) encourage, evaluate and adopt new TA methods, including those from outside the field - allows for the best TA methods to be adopted for the different fields. e.g. the TA method for medical technology may not be the same as that for agricultural technology
(4) Need for transparency in approach - this would allow for the public (i.e. citizens and companies) to feel as if their interests and concerns are being addressed.

I do believe that this is a good model for decision makers to use when they are deciding whether to adopt new technology or not.

The readings for this week were quite interesting, but were obviously not meant for a person with a migraine. Overall, I would give it a 7.