University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumnus Daniel Burrus ’71, of Hartland, the world’s leading futurist on global trends and technology, advocates setting aside time each week to look for opportunities to innovate.
“We are standing at the base of a mountain—a technology mountain,” he said. “Opportunity is there. We just can’t see it.”
Burrus gave the keynote address Tuesday, Aug. 2, to kick off the ninth-annual Wisconsin Science and Technology Symposium, sponsored by the WiSys Technology Foundation.
The two-day symposium, hosted by UW Oshkosh at the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center, focuses on “Energizing Innovation for Meaningful Collaboration.”
The New York Times has referred to Burrus as one of the top three business gurus for speaking to businesses about how to strategize for new and upcoming technology that drives economic changes. Burrus founded six companies and serves as founder and CEO of Burrus Research Associates. He currently travels worldwide to give keynote presentations through extensive business research and presents technology forecasts.
While the world is full of mass uncertainly, Burrus advises business leaders to watch cycles to predict the future. “When you are certain, you have the confidence to make bold moves,” he said.
Some innovations that he predicts will transform the future in the next five years include 3-D web, 3-D printing, drones and micro sensors.
“When you hear of a new technology, think about what you could do with it,” he said. “Give people the ability to do what they currently can’t do but would really like to do. Don’t use a rearview mirror to see the future.”
Burrus, who graduated in 1971 with an education major and a social science minor, said UW Oshkosh helped him find his focus. In 2001, he received the UWO Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
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