Dawn or Doom '17 is a free public conference at Purdue University designed to prompt open-minded and thoughtful consideration of the potential risks and rewards posed by the emerging technologies, while also considering how we might make sure the outcome is more beneficial than detrimental. Since it began in 2014, Dawn or Doom has annually brought together experts on relevant topics to interact with more than 5,000 attendees. Speakers include stars from Purdue’s large constellation of researchers focused on innovations that will transform lives and leading national authorities. The 2017 conference, set for Sept. 26 and 27, will highlight aspects of designing the world we live in, including:
* Designing Humans: bioengineering and human design
* Designing Cities: “smart” cities and autonomous vehicles
* Designing Food: plant engineering and gene editing
* Designing Information: “fake news” and virtual reality
* Designing the Workforce: artificial intelligence and robotics

Featured speakers at Dawn or Doom ’17 include:
* Michael Bess, Chancellor’s Professor of History at Vanderbilt and author of: “Our Grandchildren Redesigned: Life in the Bioengineered Society of the Near Future”
* Robb Fraley, World Food Prize Laureate and Monsanto CTO
* Tom Bradicich, VP and GM at Hewlett Packard Enterprise
* Quentin Hardy, Head Editor at Google
* Nicholas Thompson, Editor-in-Chief at WIRED magazine

Related events throughout the two days include interactive exhibitions of advanced virtual reality technology and a national journalists panel with technology writers from Time, Quartz and Business Insider, along with technology-themed art exhibits and student debate, research poster and writing competitions.