Rens van der Vorst
Rens van der Vorst is a techno philosopher and author of best-selling books on technology. With his grounded knowledge, he helps to think about the impact of technology on our lives and society. As a philosopher he reflects on this and, with great humor, shares his thoughts with his students and audiences. Does technology make our lives better? Do we even know what is better? How do we make sure we don't become dependent on our phones? Rens chafes, entertains and inspires. His goal is for everyone to become a little techno philosopher.
Being Human In Times Of Exponential Technology.
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In this session, Rens van der Vorst examines how technology is reshaping individuals and society, highlighting concerns about privacy, ethics, and our understanding of humanity. He uses examples like toilets with anal print recognition to illustrate potential biases and the dangers of relying too heavily on technology for decision-making, advocating for a focus on individual needs. Rens discusses how technology influences daily life, such as weather apps and online education, which alter human interactions. He also compares data-driven hospitals to dating apps, warning of skewed perceptions due to algorithmic biases. Emphasizing the need to understand the strengths and limitations of AI, he cautions against over-reliance on these systems without proper oversight. Rens advocates for technology that enhances human potential rather than exploiting negativity and stresses the importance of law and consumer awareness in shaping a better technological future. He remains skeptical of AI's ability to solve complex issues like climate change, citing political will as a greater challenge.
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During the expert session, Rens van der Vorst engages the audience through a Q&A session, live demonstrations using the Mentimeter app for data collection, and sharing thought-provoking analogies. Rens discusses the impact of technology on individuals and society, drawing parallels between smoking and screen addiction to highlight the importance of healthy habits. He also emphasizes the need for awareness and mindfulness in our relationship with technology, encouraging critical thinking and intentional boundaries. Rens addresses concerns around ethics, education, gender diversity, and the long-term effects of technology on our lives.
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- Discovering Historical Parallels: Exploring the comparisons between smoking and smartphone usage sheds light on important insights regarding screen addiction.
- Establishing Healthy Technology Habits: Setting intentional boundaries around phone usage in specific situations can significantly improve focus and mental wellbeing.
- Fostering Critical Reflection and Ethics: Being mindful of technology's impact, particularly its ability to manipulate behavior and ethical concerns, is essential for leading a valuable life.
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In this expert session, Rens van der Vorst explores the ways technology is transforming us as individuals and society, raising important questions about privacy, ethics, and our understanding of what it means to be human. Using the example of toilets with anal print recognition technology, he highlights the potential biases and limitations in technology-driven decisions, emphasizing the need for prioritizing individual needs and preferences over relying solely on data and analytics.
Rens also discusses how technology subtly impacts our daily lives, such as the role of weather apps and online work and education, which can change our interactions with people and learning experiences. He stresses the importance of understanding the ethical implications of creating and using technology, using examples from the past like smartphones and their significant impact on our lives.
Furthermore, Rens shares his thoughts on data-driven versus patient-driven hospitals, comparing it to dating apps like Tinder and their algorithms that may influence our perception of attractiveness in a potentially skewed way. He encourages everyone to be aware of the biases and limitations in technology-driven decisions and to think critically about why those choices are presented.
Rens also emphasizes the importance of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning systems, acknowledging their potential for valuable insights and solutions but warning against relying too heavily on them without appropriate oversight. He shares his concerns about the dehumanizing effects of certain technologies, such as CAPTAP tests used to determine human identity, and proposes a more enjoyable alternative called "capture," which uses humor to test human intelligence.
Throughout the session, Rens encourages us to consider the impact of technology on our humanity, emphasizing its potential to empower individuals to become better versions of themselves rather than exploiting negative emotions. He also touches upon the role of law and critical consumers in shaping a better technological future and shares his skepticism regarding AI's ability to tackle complex issues like the climate crisis, which he believes are more about political will than a lack of smartness.
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Screen Addiction: How to have a rewarding relationship with technology
In the 1970s we were massively addicted to cigarettes. Now again many people have a difficult relationship with an addictive product: the apps on our smartphones. However, our complete attitude towards smoking has now changed and we smoke much less. What can we learn from that? And what lessons will help us make our screens work for us instead of the other way around? How do we ensure that we are not addicted to our screens, but that they help us become a better professional, parent or friend?
