Kevin Kelly describes himself as a radical optimist, and given his career covering the frontiers of technology, the title certainly fits. Best known for co-founding Wired magazine in 1993, Kelly played a key role in shaping the narrative of the digital age.

Born in 1952 in Pennsylvania, Kelly grew up with a keen interest in science and art. After a short time studying geology at the University of Rhode Island, he moved to Asia, where he spent years traveling to various countries and taking hundreds of photographs. After returning to the U.S. in the early 1980s, he started working as an editor with Whole Earth, a counterculture magazine beloved by tech enthusiasts. Around the same time, Kelly was also instrumental in founding the WELL, an early and influential online community.

Kelly’s perspective has had a lasting impact on how we understand the intersection of technology, society, and the future. His influential books, including The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future (2016), explore the evolving relationship between humans and the tools we create.