The era of Bladerunner is upon us as we experience a fundamental shift in where, when and how we interact in our urban context. How far have we already come, and do we really want to go further? Our urban technology saves lives, reduces costs, and improves the environment. Yet in an era of AI, LLMs, immersive AR, robotics and autonomy, can we retain privacy even as we seek security? How much autonomy can our systems tolerate? How will we rectify algorithmic bias and who is at the end accountable? Join us for a discussion of the good, the bad and the ugly in emerging urban technology.

Founder of Global6, while continuing to serve as a Senior Adviser to McKinsey. Her company provides strategic advice and economic positioning for urban projects, drawing on her extensive expertise and network. Dr. Lola Woetzel is an expert on urban development, economic master planning and sustainability. She has worked with local and national governments in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas to improve productivity, attract domestic and foreign investment, and deliver on environmental and social goals for more than 40 years. As the Director of McKinsey Global Institute, she led research on productivity, urbanization, infrastructure, inequality and regional economies.  Dr. Woetzel holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Southern California. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a recipient of the Silver Magnolia Award from the Shanghai City Government and of Consulting Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Consultants award. She is currently a Visiting Professor of Global China Studies and Business at New York University in Shanghai, and lectures at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Business, Tsinghua University’s Schwarzman College, and the China-Europe International Business School.