The recent Nord Stream gas leaks show once again how dependent we are on our infrastructure systems and how vulnerable this makes us. Can we truly brace ourselves for potential sabotage of our internet and electricity cables, or other so called black or grey swan events?

Unlikely events with grave consequences
Sometimes it suddenly becomes apparent how vulnerable our society is. Most recently by the likely sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. We are becoming more and more dependent on increasingly complex technical infrastructure. If the internet goes down, if the trains go down, if the electricity goes out, if there is no more gas, our society is immediately disrupted. Now even more than in the past, as we currently have no alternatives, no buffers, to compensate for the unavailability of critical infrastructure. That has long since been cut back, because we want to be as efficient as possible.

Dealing with black & grey swan events
Such unexpected events, that no one sees coming or can predict, are so called “black swan events”, a term coined by mathematical statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Economists now also speak of “grey swan events”: events which are still very rare, but can be somewhat anticipated. For more information about black & grey swan events, click here (only in Dutch).

Complex technology vs. human responsibility
During this keynote lecture, Prof. dr. Henk Akkermans will focus on the debate whether we just have to accept these (almost) unpredictable events or that we have some responsibility in the matter. As our technical systems are now so complex that we often no longer understand them ourselves, should we just deal with the fact that accidents happen? Or should there be a special role for human thought and agency in trying to reduce the impact of errors? Should we prepare for black and grey swan events, knowing from experience that unlikely combinations of mistakes can truly happen? Find out during this lecture.

This lecture takes place in collaboration with the TiSEM research group “Information & Supply Chain Management”, more particularly with prof.dr.ir. Jan Fransoo and dr. Akhil Bhardwaj.”

Register for this event here

Admission is free, registration required (limited number of seats available)