ISU hosts renowned physicist for Presidential Speaker Series

Image courtesy of Illinois State University 

NORMAL, Ill. – Renowned futurist and theoretical physicist Michio Kaku will be giving a speech at Illinois State University on April 2 as part of the Presidential Speaker Series.

Kaku is best known for his work in theoretical high-energy physics. More specifically, according to Physics Department Chair Ivan Medvedev, his work is primarily in string theory.

“It’s a potential theory of everything that unites our understanding of the world as we know it,” Medvedev said.

Medvedev expects Kaku’s upcoming speech to outline his expectations for human development over the next century, with a particular eye for emerging technologies.

“I think he’ll be touching upon AI and quantum information,” Medvedev said. “I think it will be a general outlook on where the science of technology will lead humanity in the near future.”

Medvedev also encourages any student who is able to attend the event, saying that it holds relevance to everyone, not just physics students.

“It’s rooted in physics, but ultimately it’s not going to be a physics talk,” Medvedev said. “This will be a general, broad view of science and technology’s role in the future of mankind.”

This will be the second entry in the Presidential Speaker Series of the academic year. Last semester, the university invited AI developer and entrepreneur Kevin Surace to give a speech on his work. Medvedev, personally, is a fan of the speaker series.

“Our president, Andover Tarhule, is trying to bring exciting and thought-provoking speakers from a variety of disciplines to help unite the campus in an intellectual enterprise,” Medvedev said.

The speech will be held on Thursday, April 2 in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center and is free to the public.