In a thrilling new series, The Poly explores how technology is shaping the way we create and innovate.

This spring, The Poly is launching ‘The Future Of …’- an exciting and thought-provoking programme of talks and events exploring how social, environmental, and technological developments may affect our lives and our planet in the near future.

The series is the brainchild of Professor Alan Cummings, The Poly’s new President. Professor Cummings’ education and career have involved him in an unusually broad range of disciplines, roles and activities beginning as a Chemistry student at Imperial College London and concluding as Pro-Rector of the Royal College of Art. Along the way, he became an eminent conservator of paintings, a teacher and research leader at postgraduate level - as well as a songwriter and performer. His aim for The Poly is to strengthen its reputation as a place where curious, creative, innovative and concerned people gather to discuss the opportunities and threats that face humanity over the next 20 or 30 years.

The first of these events will examine ‘The Future Of Creativity’. The evening will begin with a short presentation about creativity by Professor Cummings. He will then be joined by a few of the many, extraordinarily creative and innovate people he has met in Falmouth while planning ‘The Future Of .…’. Together, they will lead an open discussion with the audience about what the future may hold.

How do creative processes vary across disciplines, from science to fine art or engineering to music? How have new technologies affected creative processes in the recent past and how will emerging technologies (such as AI) affect human creativity in the near future? How might technological change affect creative activity, productivity, innovation, social well-being and wealth generation in Falmouth and Cornwall as a whole? These are just some of the issues being addressed in what promises to be a stimulating evening of discussion.

Professor Alan Cummings says: “The only way to get us out of the catastrophic mess we are making of our planet, and everything on it, is through our unique ability as a species to be creative and to apply that creativity in the real world. The trouble is, that’s what got us into this mess in the first place.

“I am old now. The future is not going to be my playground, but hopefully my grandchildren will be there. We need to spend more of our time, energy and intelligence preparing them for the damage we have done to it.”

‘The Future of…Creativity’ will take place on Tuesday 7^th May at 6.30pm. Tickets are £3, plus a £1 Poly Fund payment, and can be booked online at thepoly.org, or by calling the box office on 01326 319461.

ENDS: 18^th April 2024