Author and journalist David Kirkpatrick specializes in the computer and technology industries, as well as in the impact of the Internet on business and society. He is currently writing a book entitled The Facebook Effect, on the history and impact of the social networking phenomenon.
Kirkpatrick joined FORTUNE in 1983 and in 1991 began writing full time about computing and technology. In June 2008 he published "Microsoft After Gates," a definitive account of Microsoft's prospects and challenges as its founder steps away. Other recent Fortune features have examined Facebook, MySpace, Second Life, and Microsoft in China. Known especially for his weekly "Fast Forward" column on a wide range of tech topics, Kirkpatrick is regularly ranked one of the world's top technology journalists. He appears frequently as a technology industry expert on TV, radio, and Net video. He is the creator of Fortune's Brainstorm conference series and this year was program director for Brainstorm Tech.
David has distinguished himself as a recognized interviewer and conversation facilitator/director at recent global events in Davos, Munich, Barcelona, and Palo Alto. In October 2006 Kirkpatrick was named to the World Economic Forum's International Media Council. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.