Living Machines:

A century ago, discoveries in physics came together with engineering to produce an array of astonishing new technologies: telephones, aircraft, television, nuclear power, computers, the internet, and a host of still-evolving digital tools. Today, says Susan Hockfield, we are on the cusp of a new convergence, with discoveries in biology coming together with engineering to produce another array of exciting, world-changing technologies. These next-generation products have the potential to be every bit as revolutionary as the 20th century’s digital wonders. Virus-built batteries. Protein-based water filters. Mind-reading bionic limbs. Computer-engineered crops. In this talk, Hockfield outlines the incredible technologies in the process of being developed, exploring the ways they can change the world—and how we can imagine these technologies will provide sustainable solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.