Working in a coal mine?

With smart systems getting smarter, robots becoming more and more versatile and materials repairing themselves, what work will be done by humans? What skills are required? Who will in charge of what? Or should that question be What will be in charge of whom?

The initial brain storm held by the team resulted in a myriad of bold ideas about the future. Each one worthwhile elaborating upon. But unfortunately, time was limited and only some ideas could be elaborated upon. In small teams, the creative minds built their ideas into wonderful stories about people in the future, which I got to enjoy during their final presentations.

In one of the stories, we were introduced to Sir Archibald Applebottom, Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, who refuses to speak with anyone who has the audacity to show up as a hologram. During his work day we learn that the 2040s heralded the second space race, which was won by the British. They developed a flourishing asteroid mining industry. Today, Sir Applebottom is about to introduce the idea that anybody without a job doesn’t receive an unemployment benefit anymore, but a mining robot on an asteroid, which can be controlled from one’s home. Smart systems figured out that is the best way to keep everybody happy. Makes me wonder what parameters those systems used?

We also get to know Harry Seldon , a farmer. Or maybe I should rather say a micro-mechanic. As a rooftop-cityfarmer, Harry uses over 300 drones to grow his crops all over London. Besides his drone repair skills, Harry is very dependent on his negotiation and other people skills to keep everybody happy. Luckily, he does not need to know much about plants, his smart system knows all about that.

Then we meet Atsushi Takenaka, a 34-year old computer expert who is in charge of a number of robot employees. During his workday, he is confronted with a serious health issue that can only be remedied using clone technology. He was always against cloning. He does not know what to do. As with all major matters, he decides to consult with his mother. But should you now feel relieved that in a world where your colleagues are all robots, mothers still play a crucial role in their children’s lives: it turns out that his mother has been dead for years and “his mother” is in fact a robot too.

Of course there are also those who question all technological developments, as we learn from yet another story about 2050. However, in this story any critical thoughts about technological developments are no longer tolerated and disappear to the dark web. STT would have a hard time in such a future!

Last but not least we are presented with a news show from the future, which starts off with an item on organ printing. As it turns out, widespread unrests related to ethical aspects held back the development of this technology, but this problem now seems to have been overcome. The following news item concerns a new type of criminal offenses: in this future everybody has a personal energy allowance and overconsumption or storage can lead to high fines and even imprisonment!

The show also includes an interview with Bill, one of the 2.5 million humanoid robots in use in 2050. From him we learn about the amazing capacities these robots have, thanks to the use of “collective intelligence”. Upon the reporters question if humans should fear control by the robots, Bill reassures us that they already thought about that, but that they will not take control, because they need humans: the robots are fully dependant on the consciousness of their patrons, us. How reassuring is that?!

It is exactly these kinds of stories that we are looking for in the project. Stories that raise questions about what we want as people, as a society. Stories that provide ideas for future opportunities and threats. In this particular case the stories specifically focussed on the work we do, but in the project attention will be given to a broader spectrum of matters relevant to being human. Including our hobbies, relationships and spiritual beliefs. Things we do and think, and that make us who we are.

I would like to thank Ewald Breunesse and Yuri Sebregts for giving me the opportunity to work with the Shell Creative Team. Also great thanks to Mahsa Motegh, who organised it all. And of course many thanks to everybody else that was involved in this project, contributing ideas and spare time resulting in the wonderful stories!