Nov 2016 – How do we successfully marry technology and humanity?
One Question 2016
On the second of November, expert minds from leading organisations in Virtual Reality, Health Care, Automotive, Finance, Law, Advertising, Media and more came together to debate one single question:
“How do we successfully marry technology and humanity?”
Rory Sutherland opened the day with advice on bringing back the benign, followed by to Jeremy Waite’s desire to ask why? Vikki Chowney’s issued a call to use technology in the right way. Michael Harris, author of The End of Absence, joined the event advising guests to absent occasionally before we closed with the emotional reminder from Giles Duley, that technology should be an enabler not a replacement for humanity.
We hope that we achieved our desire to always ask the hard questions and in the words of Fred Bolza, Sony Music, “if you don’t like the answer, change the question.”
If you were unable to attend this event, you can purchase a copy of ‘One Edition, Volume One’ here
Agenda
9.30 ~ 10.15
The Human Perspective
Bring back benign bullshit
Human Behaviour with Rory Sutherland. Vice Chairman, Ogilvy Group UK.
10.15 ~ 10.45
The Future Perspective
In praise of long, slow and getting lost.
Trevor Hardy, Chief Executive of The Future Laboratory, takes to the stage to explore how technologies are engineering out the potential for chance, accident and serendipity, and how we can recapture the benefits of big, slow and long thinking in 2016.
10.45 ~ 11.15
The Creative Perspective
Don’t do the shiny thing; how to use technology to tell stories in the right way.
At SXSW this year, J.J. Abrams told the audience that technology doesn’t improve storytelling. If you can’t put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re trying to evoke a response from; no amount of shiny tech will help you. Join Vikki Chowney, Director of Content and Publishing at H+K Strategies, to explore the importance of using tech in the right way to create content, and how powerful it can be when the decision is made correctly.
11.45 ~ 12.15
The Investor and the Start-up Perspective
What’s all the start-up fuss?
Join Chairman of Multiple and angel investor, Gabbi Cahane, Sunday Times best-selling author and entrepreneur Richard Newton, Nathan Benaich, partner at Playfair Capital and Nancy Tilbury, co-founder of XO, an app connected fashion brand as they debate the rise of the startup and the theory behind investment in the latest technologies or tech companies.
12.15 ~ 12.45
Michael Harris, Author, End of Absence in interview with Sam Baker, The Pool
An interview with Michael Harris and Sam Baker, Founder of The Pool.
In The End of Absence, Michael Harris argues that amid all the changes we’re experiencing, the most interesting is the one that future generations will find hardest to grasp. That is the end of absence—the loss of lack. There’s no true “free time” when you carry a smartphone. Today’s rarest commodity is the chance to be alone with your own thoughts.
To understand our predicament, and what we should do about it, Harris explores this “loss of lack” in chapters devoted to every corner of our lives, from sex and commerce to memory and attention span. His book is a kind of witness for the “straddle generation”—a burst of empathy for those of us who suspect that our technologies use us as much as we use them.
We are delighted to welcome Michael to One Question, discussing how do we balance technology and ‘absence’ In a world when there is no free time. Join Michael for what will be an entertaining discussion into the future of technology and humanity.
13.45 ~ 14.15
The Media Perspective
Gut instinct or data insight?
Join Jaime Pham, content marketing and social media expert at LinkedIn and a panel of experts in the media landscape, including Alex Wood, Editor in Chief of The Memo, and Jamie Labate, Digital Director of Quartz, and Sarah Shenker, Head of Audience Engagement at the BBC, to discuss whether in today’s publishing climate, the experience is more important than the science? Should we make decisions with our gut instinct or with data insights?
14.15 ~ 14.45
The Virtual Reality Perspective
VR: Training, treatment and technological divide.
Virtual reality can change what a person sees, how they think, what they feel and even how someone behaves, in part, because we believe it to be ‘reality’. This is how VR has been used to treat conditions like autism, PTSD, depression and paranoia; offer pain relief and even promote recovery in paraplegics. VR is considered to be the ultimate empathy machine, allowing users to literally step into the shoes of others and experience the world from their point of view.
Sol Rogers, REWIND’s CEO/Founder, will discuss how VR and MR is being used to change lives for the better, and the techniques and technology involved in creating it. But also how this powerful tool could, if we are not careful, create an even bigger society divide between those that have access to technology and those that do and the techniques and technology involved in creating it. But also how this powerful tool could, if we are not careful, create an even bigger society divide between those that have access to technology and those that do not.
14.45 ~ 15.15
The Music Perspective
Music and technology – a marriage made in heaven and hell.
In this session, Fred Bolza VP strategy at Sony Music will explore the paradoxical nature of the relationship between music and technology. From the creation of the first instrument all the way to the rise of streaming and the demise of the CD – music and technology have been constant bedfellows oscillating between passionate embrace and contemptuous bickering.
This relationship – while occasionally fraught – has produced and disseminated moments which have soundtracked life on the planet and created a common language that can be shared across boundaries and cultures. This talk will attempt to draw some thoughts and lessons from what has come before and suggests some ideas for what might come next.
15.45 ~ 16.15
The Al Perspective
Head versus Heart.
Jeremy Waite, evangelist for IBM Marketing Cloud debates in a world in which an algorithm exists for so much, how much does the heart play a part? If we are more connected than ever before, why are we so disconnected from each other?
16.15 ~ 16.45
The Agency Perspective
Join Jo Moore, Executive World-Wide Brand Director at Lenovo, alongside agency experts: Matt Rhodes, Head of Digital at WRCS advertising agency, Jack Swayne, Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer at iProspect, part of the Dentsu Aegis group and Vikki Chowney Director of Content and Publishing Strategies at H+K London, a WPP agency. This impressive panel will debate the importance of technology and creativity from the differing perspectives of media, advertising and communications, delving into the role and responsibilities of the agency and the value of collaboration.
16.45 ~ 17.15
The Finance, the Healthcare, the Legal and the Automotive Perspective
Cultural differences? Technology meets law, finance and healthcare.
Join a stellar line-up of experts including, David Parkinson, Nissan, Eitan Jankelewitz, Partner at Sheridans law firm, Dr Junaid Bajwa, GP, Executive Director of Healthcare services for Merck & Co, Brian Henderson, Partner at PwC and Benjamin Ellis, Co-Founder and CMO at SocialOptic to discuss how the impact of technology increasingly affects traditional industries. How are established organisations managing the impact of advancement in technology and the human experience?
17.15 ~ 17.45
Giles Duley, Photojournalist
After a decade of photographing superstars as an editorial photographer in fashion and music, Giles Duley turned his back on glamour to concentrate on humanitarian projects. Working with respected charities such as MSF and UNHCR, he highlighted the lesser-known individual stories behind the headlines of conflict and disaster.
In 2011, whilst on patrol with 75th Cavalry Regiment US Army in Afghanistan, Giles stepped on an IED. He was severely injured, losing both legs and his left arm, spending two months in intensive care. Despite being told that he would never walk again, he quickly determined to focus on what he could do rather than what he couldn’t. Less than two years after his accident he was both walking and working again.
Since returning to work photographing conflicts and humanitarian crises for charities and NGOs, he has travelled the world meeting the victims of conflict and disaster, sharing their stories with the world. He also shares his experiences, not just of overcoming his personal setback, but the wider lessons of his work and those he photographs.
We are delighted to welcome Giles to One Question debating how technology in the form of the camera has been showcasing humanity in all its guises for years. Join Giles for what will be a passionate and thought provoking discussion on technology for good, showcasing what businesses can learn from the power and importance of telling a story through technology.
17.45 ~ 19.30
Close and Drinks Reception
As the conference comes to a close you are invited to join us for a special drinks reception of just two drinks, (one choice seemed a little unfair) enjoy a refreshing gin & tonic or an old-fashioned to continue the debate in a more relaxed environment.