In BRINK, University of Michigan’s Andrew Maynard emphasizes that the development, release and use of emerging technologies requires proper due diligence each step of the way. Maynard discusses assessing the benefits of novel technologies against the risks and establishing vigilant, productive ways for the benefits to come up ahead of the risks. While mistakes have been made in the past, those mistakes, in hindsight, provide the foundation upon which to move forward with caution, foresight and a plan to deal with potential and unexpected problems. As Maynard points out, we can’t “assume that we’ll continue to dodge unanticipated risks, or simply fudge our way through them.” Maynard refers to Responsible Innovation, a process that focuses on environmental and social effects of emerging technologies, as being an important and legitimate part of an effective technology assessment system.
Andrew Maynard
Andrew Maynard is a Professor of Environmental Health Science at the University of Michigan, and Director of the U-M Risk Science Center. He is a leading expert on the responsible development of emerging technologies, and is vice-chair of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Nanotechnology.