The only certainty of the 21st century is uncertainty. Our world is changing faster than ever before, with more unexpected upheavals, more shocks, and more instability. At the same time, technology is giving us a mind-boggling array of powerful tools, including artificial intelligence, to try to manipulate and control the world. And yet, the more we try to assert control, the more uncertainty seems to reign supreme. What’s going on?

In this keynote, Brian Klaas will draw on his research on chaos theory, uncertainty, and chance, to give us the tools to navigate the ever-growing complexity of our modern world, all while finding the upsides of uncertainty. In the process, Brian will explain how relinquishing control and embracing uncertainty can, paradoxically, help us increase our resilience and avoid catastrophe. Drawing on examples, from history to evolutionary biology, his talk will provide a roadmap to the smartest strategies that can be used to adapt to a rapidly changing, unpredictable world.