J Nanopart Res (2013) 15:1946 DOI 10.1007/s11051-013-1946-1 PERSPECTIVES The new world of discovery, invention, and innovation: convergence of knowledge, technology, and society Mihail C. Roco • William S. Bainbridge Received: 13 August 2013 / Accepted: 14 August 2013 Ó Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht (outside the USA) 2013 Abstract Convergence of knowledge and technol- research, development, and applications based on ogy for the benefit of society (CKTS) is the core dynamic system-logic deduction, (3) enhancement of opportunity for progress in the twenty-first century. creativity and innovation through evolutionary pro- CKTS is defined as the escalating and transformative cesses of convergence that combines existing princi- interactions among seemingly different disciplines, ples and divergence that generates new ones, (4) the technologies, communities, and domains of human utility of higher-level cross-domain languages to activity to achieve mutual compatibility, synergism, generate new solutions and support transfer of new and integration, and through this process to create knowledge, and (5) the value of vision-inspired basic added value and branch out to meet shared goals. research embodied in grand challenges. CKTS is a Convergence has been progressing by stages over the general purpose approach in knowledge society. It past several decades, beginning with nanotechnology allows society to answer questions and resolve prob- for the material world, followed by convergence of lems that isolated capabilities cannot, as well as to nanotechnology, biotechnology, information, and create new competencies, knowledge, and technolo- cognitive science (NBIC) for emerging technologies. gies on this basis. Possible solutions are outlined for CKTS is the third level of convergence. It suggests a key societal challenges in the next decade, including general process to advance creativity, innovation, and support for foundational emerging technologies NBIC societal progress based on five general purpose to penetrate essential platforms of human activity and principles: (1) the interdependence of all components create new industries and jobs, improve lifelong of nature and society, (2) decision analysis for wellness and human potential, achieve personalized and integrated healthcare and education, and secure a sustainable quality of life for all. This paper provides a This article contains excerpts from ‘‘Converging Knowledge, 10-year ‘‘NBIC2’’ vision within a longer-term frame- Technology and Society: Beyond Convergence of Nano-Bio- work for converging technology and human progress Info-Cognitive Technologies’’, edited by M.C. Roco, W.S. outlined in a previous study of unifying principles Bainbridge, B. Tonn and G. Whitesides, National Science across ‘‘NBIC’’ fields that began with nanotechnology, Foundation/World Technology Evaluation Center report, Springer 2013, Boston (available on http://www.wtec.org/ biotechnology, information technology, and technol- NBIC2-report) (Accessed on 27 Aug 2013). ogies based on and enabling cognitive science (Roco and Bainbridge, Converging technologies for improv- & M. C. Roco ( ) Á W. S. Bainbridge ing human performance: nanotechnology, biotechnol- National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230, USA ogy, information technology and cognitive sciences, e-mail: [email protected] 2003). 123 Page 2 of 17 J Nanopart Res (2013) 15:1946 Keywords Nanotechnology Á Biotechnology Á invention of the wheel and the lever, effective Information technology Á Cognitive science Á technologies have increased human potential, but Research and development system Á Innovation Á now capability augmentation of entirely new kinds is Vision-inspired research Á Governance Á Societal becoming possible. The challenge will be to increase implications the capabilities of both individuals and societies in a manner conducive to collective and individual human well-being and freedom, and based on respect for commonly held ethical principles. Introduction The five CKTS principles and their implications are discussed in the following sections. Nanoscale science and technology can play decisive roles in a coming transformation of science, technol- ogy, and society marked by convergence across tech- The convergence vision nical fields and domains of human activity. Research and engineering at the nanoscale already draw upon and Interdependencies between the human mind and the link together physics, chemistry, biology, and engi- surrounding natural system determine a coherent neering and computer science. This article presents a convergence–divergence evolutionary process in the perspective on the wider environment in which nano- interconnected knowledge, technology, and societal technology and its co-development with modern biol- development that leads to creation of added value and ogy, information technology, and cognitive sciences progress. Convergence includes bringing together all will take place, while implementation details are relevant areas of human, machine, and natural presented in the full report (Roco et al. 2013). CKTS resource capability that enable society to answer is the natural extension of precursor unifying principles questions and resolve problems that isolated capabil- in science and technology (S&T) (AAAS 1989; Wilson ities cannot; divergence creates and disseminates new 1999; Roco and Bainbridge 2003; Sharp and Langer competencies, technologies, and products. The con- 2011). The study was sponsored by the National vergence–divergence process aims at what is essential Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, in a system: synergism, new pathways, innovation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the efficiency, and simplicity. CKTS provides a system- Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of atic approach to connect and enable emerging tech- Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and nologies and then implement them in essential international partners from Asia, Europe, and Australia. domains of human activity: Technology-scale, The prime insight is that convergence of knowledge and Human-scale, Earth-scale, and Societal-scale. Con- technology for the benefit of society CKTS is the core vergence processes already have begun between opportunity for progress in the twenty-first century. The several specific domains of science and technology dynamic integration of knowledge, technologies, and (Kurzweil 1999; Gregorian 2004; Hey et al. 2009; society is a fundamental opportunity for human Dunbar 2003; NRC 2010; Sharp and Langer 2011; progress as expansion in harnessing Earth’s resources Hood and Flores 2012; Roco and Bainbridge 2012). and availability of larger investments have reached Nature is a single coherent system, and diverse limitations. It is reflected in bridging the divide between methods of scientific and engineering investigations research, education, innovation, and production needs should reflect this interlinked and dynamic unity. in national and global activities. Accordingly, general concepts and ideas should be Intellectual unification of the diverse branches of developed systematically in interdependence, with science and engineering should progress hand-in-hand cause-and-effect pathways, for improved outcomes in with expanding the cultural unification and economic knowledge, technology, and applications. At the same effectiveness of the world as an interdependent system. time, industrial and social applications rely on inte- However, interdependence and convergence of gration of disciplines and unification of knowledge. approaches should increase rather than diminish the Thus, convergence is both a fundamental principle of importance of the individual human being. Since the nature and a timely opportunity for human progress. 123 J Nanopart Res (2013) 15:1946 Page 3 of 17 ‘‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’’ blueprint of the global status of human society and So Dickens described the revolutionary changes of a desirable, immediate goals: inclusive economic devel- past century. But the words aptly describe the opment, inclusive social development, environmental collection of scientific and social revolutions currently sustainability, and peace and security. The concept of raging today, some admirable—such as increased the convergence of knowledge, technology, and soci- human connectivity enabled by new digital technol- ety is an approach to addressing human challenges ogies, and the eradication of starvation and epidemic through the synergism it generates in creativity, diseases in nation after nation facilitated by medical innovation, and decision-making. The 2011–2013 and social innovations—and some lamentable, such as NBIC2 or CKTS study that informs this article global economic crises and bloodshed fueled by ethnic received input from leading academic, industry, and and ideological intolerance. The most powerful cre- government experts from four continents and a number ations of the human mind—science, technology, and of major economies, including the United States, ethical society—must become the engines of progress Australia, China, the European Union, Japan, Korea, to transport the world away from suffering and conflict and Latin America, in the context of five workshops. to prosperity and harmony. Today, because science Convergence of knowledge and technology has been and society are already changing so rapidly and identified as an emerging field around the world, with irreversibly, the fundamental principle for progress