Jeffrey Funk

Dr. Jeffrey Funk is a retired professor, consultant, and Fellow at the Discovery Institute, known for his expertise in the economics and diffusion of new technologies. With over 45 years of experience in academia, consultancy, and engineering across the United States, Japan, and Singapore, he specialises in evaluating technological advancements and identifying trends. He earned his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on the economics of robotics during the AI boom in the early 1980s.

Dr. Funk has held academic positions at leading institutions, including the National University of Singapore, Hitotsubashi University, and Kobe University. He received the NTT DoCoMo Mobile Science Award in 2004 for his contributions to the field of mobile communications. Notably, he was among the first to predict the rise of smartphones and mobile apps in the late 1990s and early 2000s, advising companies to focus on app ecosystems before the iPhone's debut in 2007.

He has authored five books, including Unicorns, Hype, and Bubbles: A Guide to Spotting, Avoiding, and Exploiting Investment Bubbles in Tech (2024), which critiques the economic foundations of tech startups. He has also published over 50 academic papers and contributed articles to outlets such as IEEE Spectrum, Scientific American, and Fast Company. His research and writing frequently explore realistic assessments of emerging technologies, including AI, 5G, VR, AR, and smart homes.

Dr. Funk’s insights are featured in Edelman’s "AI Creators to Know," highlighting his focus on digital innovation in smart cities. Since 2016, he has worked as an independent consultant, collaborating with universities, companies, and venture capital firms. His LinkedIn account, with over 54,000 followers, serves as a platform for sharing daily analyses on technology and economic trends.

Dr. Jeffrey Funk was born in 1956 in the United States. He pursued his Bachelor of Science in Physics at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, graduating in 1978. Following this, he worked at Hughes Aircraft Company in Newport Beach, California, as a Member of Technical Staff, focusing on integrated circuit manufacturing from 1978 to 1980.

In 1984, Dr. Funk earned his PhD in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. His research centred on the economics of robotics, contributing to understanding technology diffusion during the second wave of artificial intelligence development. After completing his doctoral studies, he joined Westinghouse Electric Company, where he worked as a researcher and senior consultant from 1985 to 1991. His work here included productivity and quality improvements in engineering and technology systems.

In 1991, he began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University, where he contributed to research on technology adoption. During his time as a Fulbright Research Scholar in Japan in 1993, Dr. Funk examined the strategies of Japanese companies, focusing on their approach to emerging technologies.

Between 1995 and 2007, Dr. Funk held roles as an Associate Professor at Kobe University and Hitotsubashi University in Japan. His research during this period explored the diffusion of technologies in the mobile and semiconductor industries, culminating in his book Mobile Disruption (2003). He was awarded the NTT DoCoMo Mobile Science Award in 2004 for his pioneering work in mobile communications.

In 2007, Dr. Funk joined the National University of Singapore as an Associate Professor. Over the next nine years, he developed methodologies for evaluating emerging technologies and authored academic papers and books, including Technology Change and the Rise of New Industries (2013). His work provided insights into industries such as artificial intelligence, 5G, and augmented reality.

Since 2016, Dr. Funk has been an independent consultant, working with companies, universities, and venture capital firms. He has published widely in platforms such as IEEE Spectrum, Scientific American, and Fast Company. His forthcoming book, Unicorns, Hype, and Bubbles: A Guide to Spotting, Avoiding, and Exploiting Investment Bubbles in Tech (2024), critiques unprofitable startup models.

Dr. Funk is currently a Fellow at the Discovery Institute, contributing to discussions on technological and economic assessments. He is also featured in Edelman’s AI Creators to Know 2025 for his focus on digital innovation in smart cities. His LinkedIn account, with over 54,000 followers, serves as a resource for analysing trends in emerging technologies and their economic impact.

Dr. Jeffrey Funk envisions a future where technology is evaluated based on its genuine economic value and ability to improve productivity rather than through speculative hype. He advocates for better assessments of emerging technologies, ensuring that startups and investors focus on sustainable and impactful innovations. By leveraging his expertise, Dr. Funk aims to guide organisations and individuals in identifying opportunities that contribute meaningfully to industries and society. His vision emphasises realistic technology adoption, economic feasibility, and fostering innovation that addresses real-world challenges, ultimately creating a balanced and progressive technological landscape.

Dr. Jeffrey Funk has received several notable awards recognising his contributions to technology and economic research. In 2004, he was honoured with the NTT DoCoMo Mobile Science Award for his groundbreaking work in mobile communications. As a Fulbright Research Scholar at Tokyo University in 1994, he studied Japanese companies’ technological strategies. His work has been widely published in academic journals and respected platforms like IEEE Spectrum and Scientific American. Additionally, he is featured in Edelman’s AI Creators to Know 2025 for his focus on digital innovation in smart cities, highlighting his influence in technology and economic assessments.