Before the written word, connections were tangible and immediate. With the dawn of the Victorian Internet (aka the telegraph), connections evolved to include the ephemeral and invisible.

With the modern Internet, ubiquity of connected devices, and emergence of artificial intelligence, these connections don’t require humans anymore. Devices connecting with other devices generating terabytes of data for software to review and take action without human involvement.

How will connected devices and artificial intelligence alter our cities, towns, and communities? This Fall season, we’re exploring this question through a variety of programs and events.

We ask five experts to each step forward by themselves on to the stage and boldly predict how these technologies will shape our lives in the next 5 years. Then we conclude with some questions from our live audience.

Nate Damen (aka ATLtvhead)Heather AlhadeffCraig GreenfieldLuigi Ray-MontanezAlison Powers