OUR EVENTS

Understanding the relationship between what we know and what will happen
The Institute for the Future of Knowledge is a cross-disciplinary ecosystem devoted to understanding the
relationship between what we know and what will happen, for the purposes of improving both.
The future is an ancient concern. Recent advances in computational abilities promise improved predictive performance, yet global events have proven to be resiliently unpredictable. The University of Johannesburg established the IFK to further its championing of a future-oriented focus for South Africa and the wider region.
Research Groups
Blockchain and the Cryptoverse
The Blockchain and the Cryptoverse Research Group is dedicated to researching the disparate strands of blockchain-driven technologies, their applications, economic models, ecosystems and consequently, new governance structures that have arisen since the first blockchain, Bitcoin, was built in 2009.
Data Science Across Disciplines
An interdisciplinary approach to the application of data science and the sense-making theoretical frameworks that shape its development.
Decentralised Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems
Artificial intelligence is altering how we understand the world. The Metaphysics and Machines Research Group explores the implications.
Future of Diplomacy
Promoting the understanding of diplomacy, negotiation and statecraft in contemporary international politics.
Future of Health
An interdisciplinary approach to understanding humanity’s efforts to improve health and deal with sickness, in the conviction that gaining perspective will improve future medical and public health efforts.
Green Futures
Seeking to positively understand, appreciate and harness earth’s plant life and the socio-ecosystems they interact with for the betterment of humanity and nature.
Work of the Future
With the advent of the AI-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the ‘Future of Work’ has been popular research and public discourse area. This group investigates how technology can be employed to achieve highly productive societies with more and better jobs for all.
Upcoming Events

Ethics and Explainability for Responsible Data Science (EE-RDS) (2023)
Data Science Across Disciplines Wednesday 2 November 2023 Register here Data Science Across Disciplines (DSAD), a research group within the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for

PG Workshop: Remaking the World through Machine Learning (2022)
Data Science Across Disciplines 08:00 – 18:00 Monday – Friday 21 – 25 November 2022 Register here The PG Workshop: Remaking the World through Machine Learning

Knowledge and Thought Leadership from the Creatives: The Revolutionary Insights from Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Tupac Shakur
The Future of Diplomacy 14:00 – 16:00 Wednesday 23 November 2022 Register here Abstract The nature of the future of knowledge will depend on our