Detroit 13

On September 17th, Techonomy returns to Detroit and Wayne State University to continue a series of conversations and workshops we began last year at our first Detroit conference. Our urgent theme is the role of technology and innovation in boosting American economic growth, job creation, and urban revival. The all-day Techonomy Detroit focuses on issues that form the foundation of the urban century, with technology at the core of the conversation. We see it as the central source of both disruption and opportunity.

This year’s conference emphasizes the national challenge of inadequate and inequitable education. However what interests us most is not how to reform education but how we can enhance learning for citizens at every stage of their lives in a time of constant and accelerating change. How can every U.S. city create a learning environment that incubates jobs and becomes an engine of productivity and economic recovery?  What can communities, businesses, and governments do to ensure that both young and old acquire the necessary knowledge, tools and habits?

Cities are natural hotbeds of diversity and specialization. We’ll explore how collaboration between communities, citizens and stakeholders can transform and energize cities. What is the role of entrepreneurs? Of industry? How can the rapidly-rising sharing economy contribute to the real economy? As technology transforms before our eyes, we believe it can be creatively applied to help revive America’s physical and social urban infrastructure, reigniting US competitiveness and economic growth.