Singularity-University

With technologies such as IT, biotechnology, and nanotechnology accelerating and converging, humanity is facing challenges as well as opportunities never seen before. That's the basic premise of California's Singularity University, founded in 2009 and based at NASA Ames in Mountain View. Inventor Ray Kurzweil, author of the bestseller "The Singularity Is Near", is a Co-Founder as well as Chancellor & Trustee. In August of 2009, I covered the graduation of the university's first summer class and later, in November, the first executive program. The following pictures were taken on both occasions. More info about the university at http://singularityu.org/

"Preparing Humanity for Accelerating Technological Change": Singularity University's logo and motto.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech
We're number one: Singularity U's inaugural class on graduation day, August 28, 2009, at the NASA Ames campus in Mountain View. In the foreground, Executive Director Salim Ismali (purple tie) and university staff.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009
High-profile guest speakers are part of the 10 week graduate program, which costs $25,000 in tuition. Here's PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, talking to members of the summer class 2009.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech Peter Thiel PayPal founder NASA
The days are packed, so discussions between participants tend to revolve around future challenges of mankind even during lunch hour.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech inaugural class students
"Team Global" – later renamed "Xidar", now "CiviGuard" – busily working out a way to improve disaster response around the world. The idea: By developing new means of communication after earthquakes and other catastrophies, aid could arrive much faster.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech CiviGuard
Born in Poland, Justyna Zander arrived via Berlin's Fraunhofer Institute at Singularity University. A PhD of engineering science, she praised SU's interdisciplinary approach, allowing her to swap ideas with fellow aspiring revolutionaries from all walks of life and various countries.
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Justyna Zander in front of Building 20 on the NASA Ames campus, Singularity University's main office.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech Justyna Zander
An open-air brainstorming session of Team Globa in front of Building 20.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech CiviGuard
Salim Ismail was VP of Yahoo's internal "idea factory" before signing on as Singularity University's Executive Director.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech Salim Ismail Yahoo
A "mixer" in front of SU's main building – typical of Silicon Valley's networking culture and a welcome opportunity for idea exchanges.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception
Portugese Singularity student Nuno Martins (left) chatting with "Future Guru" James Canton.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception Nuno Martins James Canton
More food for thought, long after the buffet has been finished.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception
Stanford professor Paul Saffo (left) in conversation with Nuno Martins.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception futurist Paul Saffo Nuno Martins
Ray Kurzweil, Co-Founder, Chancellor & Trustee, during his speech on graduation day, August 29, 2009, at NASA Ames.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception Ray Kurzweil graduation
Peter Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, is also a Co-Founder and Chairman of Singularity University. In 2009, the International Space University (co-founded by Diamandis) shared resources with SU. Here's Diamandis welcoming guests to the graduation ceremony.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 reception Peter Diamandis graduation
Four teams presenting four projects to make the world a better place.
Xidar is now Civi Guard:
http://www.civiguard.com/

http://www.weareacasa.com/

http://gettaround.com/
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation
A vision for tomorrow: Team "Gettaround" presenting its idea of a new form of peer-to-peer car sharing.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 presentation graduation Gettaround care sharing peertopeer P2P
Laurence Hayes of "Team Global" (now "Civi Guard") answers questions from the expert panel - among them, in the foreground, Ray Kurzweil.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 presentation graduation
Here's how it works: members of team "Gettaround" explain their iPhone app, which enables users to wirelessly unlock the rented car.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 presentation graduation Gettaround car sharing peertopeer P2P
Team "Gettaround" getting a lot of attention. The idea is to make better use of car sharing in order to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

http://www.gettaround.com/
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 presentation graduation car sharing peertopeer
After the presentations, off to the graduation reception: Singularity University students, faculty, and guests are walking across the NASA Ames campus, in the background the hangar (no longer in official use).
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation ceremony
Proud fathers: Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis with Singularity University's inaugural class in front of Building 20 on August 29, 2009.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation class Peter Diamandis Ray Kurzweil
That went well: Ray Kurzweil (left) and Peter Diamandis in conversation.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation Peter Diamandis Ray Kurzweil
Not without my cello: graduate student Holley Abrams takes her favorite instrument wherever she goes, even on graduation day.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation Holley Abrams
Clowning around after the work is done: Team Global celebrates its graduation from SU.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation CiviGuard
One ring to bind them all...
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No, this "S" does not mean Stanford.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural class 2009 graduation lapel pin lapel pin symbol logo
The remains of some 70 days: The work is done, the rooms are orphaned – but still bearing witness of creative sessions meant to bring about a better tomorrow.
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The NASA logo on the wall of a building used by Singularity University.
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Former astronaut Dan Barry, founder of Denbar robotics, is one of Singularity University's celebrity faculty members. Others include Ethernet co-inventor Bob Metcalfe and Vint Cerf, "father of the Internet".
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Former astronaut Dan Barry leading a robotics workshop on a cloudy November day at NASA Ames, California.
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A group session presentation at SIngularity University's first executive program in November 2009.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009
Gerald Huff scribbles down notes for a defense robot while Peter Platzer (with baseball cap) and fellow students look on.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009
David Orban, entrepreneur and faculty member in charge of Singularity University's planned expansion to Europe.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech inaugural executive executive program 2009 David Orban
Michel Gelobter talking to Singularity students about climate change. In the foreground, Peter Platzer, Jihan El Gazzar (middle) and her sister, Sherine El Gazzar.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009 Michel Gelobter
Peter Platzer and Jihan El Gazzar lean over a laptop while discussing CO2 emissions estimates. Sherine El Gazzar is watching. Left: fellow group member James Clement.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009
Peter Platzer with fellow group members Jihan El Gazzar (left) and her sister Sherine El Gazzar.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009
Michel Gelobter, Founder and Chairman of Cooler, leads a workshop about CO2 emissions and climate change at Singularity U on November 11, 2009, in Mountain View, CA, at NASA Ames.
Singularity Singularity University education future technology Silicon Valley California hightech group inaugural executive executive program 2009