Launched in January 2024, UVA’s Futures Initiative scans the higher-ed landscape to anticipate the vast societal and technological changes the University must soon confront. AI has already begun to transform academia, while a host of other technologies (augmented reality, biosensors, quantum computing) are at the gates.

• What can UVA do to harness these technologies, rather than belatedly ride out their disruptions?
• How can UVA position itself so that it has a ready response to matters of perpetual domestic and global concern — matters of democracy, health care, and environment?
• What changes can UVA make with respect to its research, teaching, and organizational practices to meet — or even make — these futures?

These are far-reaching, ambitious questions. Toward answers, the Futures Initiative Working Group (FIWG) — a task force of thought leaders from across the University — has been exploring ideas that are equally imaginative and investigative, practical and philosophical.

To complement the FIWG’s research and to build community-wide engagement around the Initiative, the Futures Initiative Speaker Series will host acclaimed futurists from various sectors in events throughout the Fall.

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