Check against delivery
Good morning and thank you for the invitation to speak here today. It is always a pleasure to visit DTU and take a peek at the future technologies.
I am happy that DTU has chosen to focus on the “Digitization of Danish industry” because this is, indeed, one of the most important agendas of our time.
The potential of future technology
Anyone who has not fully grasped the potential of digitisation and technology should visit DTU here in Lyngby.
Here you can find anything from underwater robots designed to inspect off-shore wind turbine platforms on their own.
To robots monitoring the amount of oxygen KOL patients receive.
Or artificial dog noses capable of smelling bombs, explosives or drugs in the airport. I do not know if they’re as cute as real dogs but I am sure DTU is working on that fact, too … Maybe you could actually also build some politicians, anyway. Well, we could use them …
Big data and internet of things
The technological revolution we face is fascinating.
Modern technology is changing the way we seek information, medicate, shop, eat, exercise, travel and date.
The anxiety of progress
The potential of modern technology and digitisation is truly mesmerizing. But also somewhat anxiety-provoking.
I have recently made my own small rebellion by deleting my public Facebook account. I felt that technology was interfering too much with how I interacted with other people. Taking time from contemplation and reflection. Taking time from reading a book.
Do you not sometimes feel that modern technology is making us rush too much?
New technology has always been something that could stir up feelings.
When the locomotive was invented, I’m told that some scientists held that nobody would be able to survive such speed:
It simply would not be possible to breathe.
It is easy to smile at such silly ideas, knowing what we know now. But this anxiety of unknown technology still lurks in us. And it is a pity.
Tell the world how technology may improve our lives
Because when I look towards the future's technology I see a promise of better days.
That is – if you use the new technologies with sense. The technology in itself is not bad or good – this is defined by how we use it. Whether it is an algorithm or a Swiss knife – we are the ones deciding how we want to use it.
Persons like you who understand what potential future technology holds – you have a special task – apart from developing this new technology:
We as a society need you as opinion drivers. I know this is scary. But still. We need you as future ambassadors. Or rather, as ambassadors for the future. So we as a society do not end up divided between those for and those against technological progress.
We need you to tell the world how it may improve our lives.
That it will not take our jobs – but it will free us from the hard work and unhealthy work none of us want to do – and create new and more rewarding jobs.
That it can make us travel faster, be healthier, live longer and have a better time. Detect cancer in a loved one in time.
Or simply help us spend our time and energy on more meaningful activities than lawn moving, vacuum cleaning and driving our car. Although that part I actually like pretty much.
That new technology is a good thing, as long as we’re mindful of what we are pursuing. And use it with sense.
The potential of cooperation between universities and private enterprises
Events like this High Tech Summit are significant. Because refined technology is, of course, only worth something if you know two things:
How to use it and how to sell it.
And as many of you know, bringing a new product to the market really is no easy thing.
Not only does it take deep knowledge of the underlying invention – you also have to know how to run a business.
So I am glad to see the universities and the business sector joining forces at today’s event.
It is an excellent opportunity to forge new relations that might come in handy later on.
I am very happy that DTU makes such a great effort to encourage cooperation between the university and the private sector. Not least illustrated by today’s event.
Hopefully, it will inspire new and even more revolutionary solutions than those we can see at this exhibition.
Personally, I am hoping for a clean-up-robot. Or a grocery shopper robot. Or maybe even a cooking robot.
As the sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein has put it:
“Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.”
I hope you all will have a great and inspiring couple of days.
Thank you for your attention.