Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance - Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology and Cognitive Science - NSF/DOC-sponsored report - June 2002

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance presents a formal NSF/DOC-sponsored report edited by Mihail C. Roco and William Sims Bainbridge. It lays out background and a timely, broad opportunity for advancing human abilities and societal performance through NBIC convergence: nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science. The document outlines strategies for transformation, unifying science with converging technology, major themes, future prospects, and actionable recommendations, supported by general statements and visionary projects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages482

Reading Time20 h 15 min

AccessFree to download

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

Background

Timely and Broad Opportunity

Vision for Enhancing Human Abilities and Societal Performance

Strategies for Transformation

Towards Unifying Science and Converging Technology

Major Themes

Future Prospects

Recommendations

GENERAL STATEMENTS AND VISIONARY PROJECTS

MOTIVATION AND OUTLOOK

EXPANDING HUMAN COGNITION AND COMMUNICATION

IMPROVING HUMAN HEALTH AND PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES

Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE NSF/DOC-sponsored report Edited by Mihail C. Roco and William Sims Bainbridge, National Science Foundation June 2002 Arlington, Virginia Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government. Copyrights reserved by individual authors or their assignees except as noted herein. Reproduced by permission. The U.S. Government retains anonexclusive and nontransferable license to all exclusive rights provided by copyright. This work relates to NSF Grant CTS-0128860, awarded to the World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC), Inc. iii CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING HUMAN PERFORMANCE: NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................... ix OVERVIEW............................................................................................................. 1 1. Background .................................................................................................. 1 2. Timely and Broad Opportunity .................................................................... 2 3. Vision for Enhancing Human Abilities and Societal Performance .............. 4 4. Strategies for Transformation....................................................................... 7 5. Towards Unifying Science and Converging Technology........................... 10 6. Major Themes ............................................................................................ 13 7. Future Prospects ......................................................................................... 16 8. Recommendations ...................................................................................... 22 GENERAL STATEMENTS AND VISIONARY PROJECTS .......................... 29 A. MOTIVATION AND OUTLOOK .................................................................. 29 Theme A Summary Panel: P. Bond, J. Canton, M. Dastoor, N. Gingrich, M. Hirschbein, C.H. Huettner, P. Kuekes, J. Watson, M.C. Roco, S. Venneri, R.S. Williams .................................................................................................... 29 Statements National Strategy towards Converging Science and Technology (C.H. Huettner).......................................................................................... 31 Converging Technologies and Competitiveness (P. Bond) ............................ 33 Vision for the Converging Technologies (N. Gingrich) ................................. 36 Zone of Convergence Between Bio/Info/Nano Technologies: NASA’s Nanotechnology Initiative (S. Venneri, M. Hirschbein, M. Dastoor)........55 Biomedicine Eyes 2020 (J. Watson) .............................................................. 60 Balancing Opportunities and Investments for NBIC (R.S. Williams, P. Kuekes) ................................................................................................. 67 The Impact of Convergent Technologies and the Future of Business and the Economy (J. Canton,) ................................................................... 71 Coherence and Divergence of Megatrends in Science and Engineering (M.C. Roco)............................................................................................... 79 B. EXPANDING HUMAN COGNITION AND COMMUNICATION ............ 97 Theme B Summary Panel: W.S. Bainbridge, R. Burger, J. Canton, R. Golledge, R.E. Horn, P. Kuekes, J. Loomis, C.A. Murray, P. Penz, B.M. Pierce, J. Pollack, W. Robinett, J. Spohrer, S. Turkle, L.T. Wilson...................... 97 iv Contents Statements NBICS (Nano-Bio-Info-Cogno-Socio) Convergence to Improve Human Performance: Opportun

FAQs

What is the report’s main focus?

The report focuses on improving human performance by converging nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science (NBIC).

Who edited the NSF/DOC-sponsored report?

The report is edited by Mihail C. Roco and William Sims Bainbridge, National Science Foundation.

What does the document provide beyond overview themes?

It includes general statements, visionary projects, and sections covering motivation, cognition and communication, and human health and physical capabilities.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick