In this episode of KAUST Live, Julian Bleeker, a distinguished engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur, reflects on his formative years inspired by science fiction and space. He discusses the significant influence of the Starfleet Technical Manual and the necessity of making extraordinary ideas ordinary to stimulate creativity in engineering. Bleeker outlines his career trajectory from electrical engineering to pioneering virtual reality and innovative technologies. He shares insights about balancing practical projects with speculative ones, the intersection of technology and society, and his experiences with Nokia’s advanced design team. Bleeker also sheds light on the formation of the Near Future Laboratory, the resurgence of analog devices, and the launch of Amada. Themes of ‘blue collar futures’ and the role of storytelling in engineering highlight the conversation, complemented by announcements of an upcoming keynote on ‘design fact versus design fiction’ and the Enrichment in the Fall program.

00:00 Welcome to KAUST Live: Designing Tomorrow

00:58 Julian Bleeker’s Early Inspirations

02:08 The Influence of Science Fiction

03:04 From Imagination to Engineering

05:59 Making the Extraordinary Ordinary

08:19 Early Career and Virtual Reality

09:40 Balancing Speculation and Practicality

10:40 Exploring Future Technologies at Nokia

12:08 PhD Journey and Teaching at USC

12:33 Combining Humanities with Technology

14:19 Nokia Experience and Starting a New Venture

14:46 Innovating Bicycle Computers

16:07 The Future of Technology and Society

16:50 Launching Amada and Near Future Laboratory

18:33 Exploring Mundane Futures

21:17 Artificial Intelligence and Human Interaction

22:39 Upcoming Keynote and Closing Remarks