“The Future of Digital Currency and Blockchain” and “Hacking the Human Body”.
Location
San Francisco, USA
Date
4-5 November, 2015
This two-part event examined transformative technologies through the lenses of digital finance and human enhancement. In the digital currency track, startup founders and investors discussed Bitcoin and blockchain innovations and commercialization. The human enhancement sessions featured experts in synthetic biology and biomechatronics exploring technologies that augment human capabilities, with a particular focus on the ethical intersections of science and society.
Global IT History
- Global smartphone shipments exceed 1.4 billion, making mobile core daily infrastructure
- Fintech investment hits $19.7 billion, fueling mobile payments and P2P transfers in the U.S. and China
- Apple Pay and Google Wallet drive mainstream contactless adoption
Evolution of Blockchain
- Ethereum launches, issuing 72 million ETH
- Smart contracts gain traction, forming the DApp ecosystem
Expansion of Wearables and Digital Health
- Shipments surpass 72.6 million (+172% YoY) as Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Xiaomi grow
Growth of the VR Market
- Consumer versions of Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR were announced
Advances in Biotechnology
- CRISPR papers double to 1,581
- China reports the first human embryo gene-editing study
- Editas raises over $100 million, sparking global ethical debate
Speakers
Ryan Shea
Co-founder, Onename
Peter Todd
Core Developer, Bitcoin
John McDonnel
CEO, Bitnet Technologies
Eric Lombrozo
Co-CEO & CTO, Ciphrex; Developer, Bitcoin Core
Hiroaki Kitano
CEO, SBI
Marko Ahtisaari
CEO, The Sync Project
Ariel Garten
CEO, MUSE
Adam Marblestone
Director of Scientific Architecting, MIT
Kaoru Hayashi
Representative Director, President Executive Officer and Group CEO, Digital Garage, Inc.
Joichi Ito
Director, MIT Media Lab
Co-Founder and Board Director,
Digital Garage, Inc.
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