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Technology school wants to save the world

by on03 February 2009

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A new school has a cunning plan to train people to use technology in a way to save the planet. Singularity University, which is an unconventional school that will host its first class of 30 graduate students this summer, plans to explore ways to ensure technology improves mankind's plight instead of harming it.

Not surprisingly the University is in California and will be based on NASA's Silicon Valley campus. Students will look at ways that exponential advances occurring in various fields should be used to solve problems like poverty, famine, disease, global warming and dwindling energy supplies.

The school was inspired by futurist Ray Kurzweil, who in 2005 penned a book, "The Singularity Is Near."  Kurzweil is to be the school's chancellor. Google already has contributed more than $1 million to develop the University, and several other major companies are planning to pitch in at least $250,000.

It will cost students $25,000 to enroll in a nine week course, but the university intends to focus on the brightest students who "have an interest in addressing big issues.

Students will be required to spend three weeks immersing themselves in 10 fields of study, including computing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, energy, law and finance before building a special project of their own.
Last modified on 03 February 2009
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