James Canton
Encyclopedia
James Canton is a futurist, author, CEO & Chairman of the Institute for Global Futures. He forecasts future global trends in technology, health care, population
, science, climate
, workforce and security. He is noted for his work in consulting with companies to better appreciate the complex trend convergence of technology, energy, medicine, finance, climate, population entertainment, security and media. He is the developer of Trend Trakker, a computer and web-based systems-system to forecasting that identifies trends, innovations, threats and global risks. Dr. Canton received his Ph.D. in Management and social science from the Union Institute & University
in 1982. His thesis was on Global Systems and High Technology Organizations. He was a student of Alvin Toffler
in New York City, where he was born.
He worked with Toffler at the Anticipatory Democracy Network. He was Executive Director of the Health Policy Council, a health policy think tank he founded and lead from 1976–79, while serving as an adviser to the United States Department of Health and Human Services
on health policy and strategic planning. He was a Business and Strategic Planning Executive at Apple Computer, Inc., in 1983, where he worked on the introduction of the Macintosh Computer, artificial intelligence and next generation computing applications for business and science. He held a number of positions in global investment banking, technology start-ups and trade finance. In 1990, he founded the Institute for Global Futures, a San Francisco based think tank that advises on business strategy and forecasts innovations and trends for global companies and governments. He has advised three White House administrations, the National Science Foundation
, American Association for the Advancement of Science
, and the National Science and Technology Council
.
As a thought leader and leading global futurist, James Canton participated in the early projects to identify the social and business impact of advanced technologies on the global economy--nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and neurotechnology. He was an adviser appointed to the National Science and Technology Council on nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology in his work with the National Science Foundation in the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 2003. He was the first private sector adviser to the National Science Foundation on nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology. He served on the advisory board of MIT’s Media Lab Europe
where he advised on the futures research projects involving emerging technologies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Kellogg School of Management
Center for Research in Innovation, and serves on the Economic Development Board, State of Singapore where he advises government leaders on future trends in innovation and society. Dr. Canton is also serves on the Corporate Eco-Forum Advisory Board where he advises on global business strategy and future trends affecting commerce and sustainability.
He serves on faculty and was the founding Co-Chairman of the Futures and Forecasting Track for NASA and Google sponsored Singularity University
where he teaches students from around the world on the convergence and impact of accelerating technologies and future trends affecting population, energy, climate, security and health care. He is the founder of FutureLab, a traveling virtual and real-world showcase on innovation and advanced technologies that visits high schools teaching youth about the future of science. Dr. Canton is author of the books Technofutures and The Extreme Future. CNN dubbed him “the Digital Guru” and Yahoo named him “Dr. Future”. Mike Wallace
of CBS’s 60 Minutes
profiled, him as “one of the world’s greatest minds” in his book, 50 Years From Today, Thomas Nelson, 2008.
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
, science, climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
, workforce and security. He is noted for his work in consulting with companies to better appreciate the complex trend convergence of technology, energy, medicine, finance, climate, population entertainment, security and media. He is the developer of Trend Trakker, a computer and web-based systems-system to forecasting that identifies trends, innovations, threats and global risks. Dr. Canton received his Ph.D. in Management and social science from the Union Institute & University
Union Institute & University
Union Institute & University is a non-profit private college, specializing in limited residence and distance learning programs. With the main campus in Cincinnati, Union Institute & University operates -from Ohio- "satellite campuses" located in Montpelier, Vermont; Brattleboro, Vermont; North...
in 1982. His thesis was on Global Systems and High Technology Organizations. He was a student of Alvin Toffler
Alvin Toffler
Alvin Toffler is an American writer and futurist, known for his works discussing the digital revolution, communication revolution, corporate revolution and technological singularity....
in New York City, where he was born.
He worked with Toffler at the Anticipatory Democracy Network. He was Executive Director of the Health Policy Council, a health policy think tank he founded and lead from 1976–79, while serving as an adviser to the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
on health policy and strategic planning. He was a Business and Strategic Planning Executive at Apple Computer, Inc., in 1983, where he worked on the introduction of the Macintosh Computer, artificial intelligence and next generation computing applications for business and science. He held a number of positions in global investment banking, technology start-ups and trade finance. In 1990, he founded the Institute for Global Futures, a San Francisco based think tank that advises on business strategy and forecasts innovations and trends for global companies and governments. He has advised three White House administrations, the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, and the National Science and Technology Council
National Science and Technology Council
The National Science and Technology Council was established in the US by Executive Order 12881 on November 23, 1993.-History:The National Science and Technology Council was established in the US by Executive Order on November 23, 1993...
.
As a thought leader and leading global futurist, James Canton participated in the early projects to identify the social and business impact of advanced technologies on the global economy--nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and neurotechnology. He was an adviser appointed to the National Science and Technology Council on nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology in his work with the National Science Foundation in the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 2003. He was the first private sector adviser to the National Science Foundation on nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology. He served on the advisory board of MIT’s Media Lab Europe
Media Lab Europe
Media Lab Europe was a research institute in Dublin, Ireland based on the MIT Media Lab. It went into voluntary liquidation early in 2005....
where he advised on the futures research projects involving emerging technologies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Kellogg School of Management
Kellogg School of Management
The Kellogg School of Management is the business school of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, downtown Chicago, Illinois and Miami, Florida. Kellogg offers full-time, part-time, and executive programs, as well as partnering programs with schools in China, India, Hong Kong, Israel,...
Center for Research in Innovation, and serves on the Economic Development Board, State of Singapore where he advises government leaders on future trends in innovation and society. Dr. Canton is also serves on the Corporate Eco-Forum Advisory Board where he advises on global business strategy and future trends affecting commerce and sustainability.
He serves on faculty and was the founding Co-Chairman of the Futures and Forecasting Track for NASA and Google sponsored Singularity University
Singularity University
Singularity University is an academic institution in Silicon Valley whose stated aim is to "assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of leaders who strive to understand and facilitate the development of exponentially advancing technologies and apply, focus and guide these tools to address humanity’s...
where he teaches students from around the world on the convergence and impact of accelerating technologies and future trends affecting population, energy, climate, security and health care. He is the founder of FutureLab, a traveling virtual and real-world showcase on innovation and advanced technologies that visits high schools teaching youth about the future of science. Dr. Canton is author of the books Technofutures and The Extreme Future. CNN dubbed him “the Digital Guru” and Yahoo named him “Dr. Future”. Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (journalist)
Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace is an American journalist, former game show host, actor and media personality. During his 60+ year career, he has interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers....
of CBS’s 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
profiled, him as “one of the world’s greatest minds” in his book, 50 Years From Today, Thomas Nelson, 2008.
Books
- Technofutures: How Leading-Edge Innovations Will Transform Business in the 21st Century (2004) Next Millennium Press ISBN 0976108100
- The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World in the Next 20 Years (2006) Dutton ISBN 0525949380
Articles & Research
- The Strategic Impact of Nanotechnology on the Future of Business and Economics, published in Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Kluwer, 2001
- The Impact of Convergent Technologies and the Future of Business and the Economy, Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science, Springer, 2003
- Designing the Future: Nano-Bio-Info-Cognitive Technologies and Human Performance Enhancement – published in The Coevolution of Human Potential and the Converging Technologies, New York Academy of Sciences Annals, 2004, Volume 1013
- The Emerging Nanoeconomy: Key Drivers, Challenges and Opportunities, published in Nanotechnology: Societal Implications I – Maximizing Benefits for Humanity, Springer, 2006
- NBIC Convergent Technologies and the Innovation Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century, published in Managing Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno Innovations: Converging Technologies in Society, Springer, 2006
- The Future of NanoEnergy: Meeting the 21st Century Challenge, primary research on the top trends that will shape the future of alternative energy conducted and published by the Institute for Global Futures, 2004
- America's Youth Look to the Future, primary research on what America’s youth, 16- to 24-year-olds, think about the future of leadership, careers, money, and education, conducted by Institute for Global Futures, 2003
- The Extreme Future of Megacities, published by the Royal Society of Statistics, 2011
- The Global Futures Forecast, published by the Institute for Global Futures, 2011
External links
- Dr. Canton's Official Site
- FutureLab: The Innovation Expo
- Future of Nanoenergy Executive Summary
- Forbes Video Interview on The Extreme Future
- Trend Trakker - Geo-Spatial Data Mining Tool
- America's Youth Look to the Future Key Findings
- Corporate Eco Forum
- Singularity University
- Twitter ID @futureguru