From countries to cloud nations: The upcoming shift of power

In the last decade we have witnessed a shift of power: big winners have taken over digital industries, and democracy has been taken down a peg throughout the world. How has that happened? What are the forces that cause the digital industry to converge around a few big winners – and how can they fatally damage democracy? How have leaders in democracies – Barack Obama and Donald Trump among them – used digital tools to influence voters’ choices? And can we escape the influence of the rich and powerful and move on to a new model of governance that exists in the cloud? Roey Tzezana answers these questions and more at the first Israel Culture Series presentation, at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

Tzezana is a Futures Studies researcher at Tel Aviv University with special expertise in foresight, wild cards (black swans) and analysis of emerging and disruptive technologies. He has spoken to hundreds of conference audiences and appears frequently on Israeli TV and radio to discuss the fascinating study of the future of technology and society. Most recently, he has been lecturing and providing consultation to entities worldwide including large companies and firms (such as eBay, Intel, Microsoft, and SanDisk), the Lahav Management School at Tel Aviv University and other educational institutions, and as a keynote speaker at innovation and global thinking workshops internationally. In Israel, he has consulted about the future for many government ministries, including the prime minister’s office.

Tzezana has been a futures researcher on the staff of the Yuval Ne’eman Workshop for Science, Technology & Security and the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University. His new book,  “Rulers of the Future,” deals with the questions he will discuss at the JCC.

Tzezana and his family have moved temporarily to Rhode Island while his wife, Galit, earns her doctorate in engineering at Brown University.

This is the opening event in the Rhode Island Jewish community’s celebration of Israel, which is preparing for its 70th anniversary. The ongoing Israel Culture Series will be held on the first Wednesday night of most months, and it includes a wide variety of programs, including films, illustrated lectures, and food demonstrations and tastings. For more information, contact Tslil Reichman, community Israeli emissary (shlichah), at treichman@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111.

LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance.