30 years ago, the founding editors of WIRED knew that technology would change our world, but they likely had no idea how it would be transformed. They had no idea that in a few short years, all of us would be seamlessly interconnected, capable of communicating and working together in real-time, carrying tiny supercomputers in our pockets. One thing they did know was that tech would change everything: It would bring us together as much as it would drive us apart, and like any human innovation, it had the power to cause as many problems as it solves.
And problems we have. Climate catastrophes, new diseases, crumbling infrastructure, wealth inequality, cyber threats, geopolitical conflicts, and threats to global democracy are just some of the things now shaking people’s confidence in a better tomorrow. But human ingenuity is always a cause for hope, and every generation brings new thinkers, activists, entrepreneurs, and builders to work on the world’s biggest challenges.
That’s why we hosted LiveWIRED, a one-day event in San Francisco on December 5, 2023, that brought together business leaders, activists, experts, and leaders in multiple fields to discuss technology’s role in our changing world, and what the next 30 years will look like. We also celebrated WIRED’s 30th anniversary in style, by showcasing the people, technologies, and possibilities that inspire us—and, we hope, inspire you.
If you didn't make it on December 5 in San Francisco for our packed program of panels, activations, and activities featuring some of the most influential people in tech, business, science, and entertainment, re-live the experience through our videos of the day's conversations and activations below. Join us and explore technology’s impact on our past, present, and future—and dig into solutions and our optimistic vision for the next 30 years.
Comedian Aparna Nancherla kicks off LiveWIRED with a refreshingly honest and self-deprecating exploration of the challenges of navigating the TikTok age as a comedian.
It’s hard to recall a time when we weren’t living our lives online—but the conversation around user data and ownership is just getting started. So how did we get here? Moderated by WIRED’s Lauren Goode, our opening panel features Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Inrupt CEO John Bruce on their vision of an internet where individuals take control back from Big Tech.
Has doom and gloom over the potential deadly consequences of AI overshadowed the real opportunities ahead? Two AI pioneers—Fei-Fei Li and Reid Hoffman—discuss why AI is poised to enhance our work and personal lives.
We’re at a historic inflection point in AI regulation, but from algorithmic bias to privacy issues, the ethical concerns grow. In this panel, moderated by WIRED’s Khari Johnson, we explore how tech companies and lawmakers are examining future existential risks and building safety measures in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
With the forthcoming release of a Crispr-based genetic editing drug for neurological diseases, we’re about to enter a new age of medicine. The Nobel laureate sits down with WIRED’s Emily Mullin and talks about her outlook for this era of innovation in medicine, what other industries Crispr is poised to enhance, and the impact of this radical new approach on longevity and health.
Dive into the heart of the booming space market, approaching $500 billion today and set to double by 2030. The new space race isn’t without challenges, however. With growing investment in commercial spaceflight and new entries into the multinational space-travel family, we can expect more launches, more space junk, more talk about exploiting resources—and less talk about the future of humanity. Moderated by WIRED’s Ramin Skibba, our panel explores the crucial technologies that could propel humanity to the moon and beyond, as we confront the imminent future of space travel head-on.
In the wake of three transformative decades, what lies ahead in the next 30 years? Are we on a road to our own doom? Join us for a candid conversation on this existential inquiry with futurist Ari Wallach, executive producer Kathryn Murdoch, and world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels. Together, they delve into their forthcoming PBS documentary series, A Brief History of the Future, challenging dystopian narratives and offering pragmatic solutions to the challenges we may face in the next 30 years.
As filmmaker, visual artist, writer, and rapper Blitz Bazawule prepares for the release of The Color Purple, WIRED chats with the Ghanaian artist on what it means to create in the era of AI. Hear how the director, who blends historical events with magical realism, is imagining different worlds, the role technology plays in how we tell stories globally, and his approach to giving a Spielberg classic new life.
Are tech firms and big corporations solving problems or creating new problems to sell solutions? Activist Faye Wattleton has a perspective. Hear from the former president of Planned Parenthood and cofounder of quantum computing company EeroQ on how the next generation of companies can be designed to support the communities they start in, give back to the public, and make the world a better place.
With a booming $400 billion market, the gaming industry is on an unrelenting trajectory of growth and hyper innovation. How has the shift from arcades to consoles to live-service, always-on gaming impacted the way games are developed and consumed? How has technology revolutionized immersive storytelling and redefined fan and community engagement? And how can we make gaming a better place for all kinds of players? Moderated by WIRED senior editor Alan Henry.
Academy Award–nominated cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, renowned for The Wolf of Wall Street, Barbie, and Killers of the Flower Moon, chats with us on the transformative impact AI and machine learning has had on his creative process and unravels the evolving dynamics between movies, technology, and audience engagement. What is his vision for Hollywood and moviemaking at large?
Are we living the future they warned us about? Join WIRED editor Jason Kehe and three prolific sci-fi writers to reflect on 30 years of technological progress and compare their speculative works to the realities we live in and what the future might look like through their lens.
Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling, creators of The OA, are back with their Hulu series A Murder at the End of the World, following amateur sleuth and tech-savvy hacker Darby Hart. In this special conversation, we hear from the duo on their much anticipated limited series, where they drew inspiration, how they brought this murder mystery to life, and tech’s ubiquitous role in our personal lives.
Join Contend CEO Steven Amato as he unveils the future of storytelling in a 10-minute journey that transcends traditional theater. From breaking down physical barriers with SMARTStage to harnessing AI for content creation, this presentation explores how technology is reshaping the narrative landscape, making storytelling more immersive, accessible, and sustainable.
Meet executives of Stephen Curry’s 30 Ink—the off-court presence of the Golden State Warriors NBA champion—as they delve into his game-changing impact beyond basketball, fostering purpose-driven ventures encompassing media, technology, and social justice. Join WIRED’s Hemal Jhaveri as we learn how Curry’s initiatives are revitalizing San Francisco, and explore the evolving role of athletes as entrepreneurial trailblazers in 2023.
Have you ever wondered how and why a robot moves the way it does? Learn from engineer and artist Catie Cuan on how she tackles this exact question. As robots become increasingly present in our society, programming context clues through movement and noise will become more nuanced. Hear from Cuan on what building in this nascent field looks like.
Grammy-nominated artist Tierra Whack makes music and visuals for the internet era—her debut album Whack World garnered attention for its brevity and virality. With an upcoming sophomore album and feature film on her rise, there’s much to anticipate from Whack. Join us in a conversation about her next era in music and how she’ll continue to disrupt the music industry.
Our day concludes with a fireside chat with Jaron Lanier, Prime Unifying Scientist at Microsoft, who is known for his critiques of Silicon Valley and his pioneering work in virtual reality. Join WIRED’s global editorial director, Katie Drummond, as Lanier reflects on the evolution of data dignity, the disruptive rise of AI, and the immersive realms of VR.
