Has technology enhanced or damaged our experiences?

Experts across a variety of fields shared their perspectives during the One Question Conference at the Electric Cinema on 7 June. The conference asked experts to answer its central question from their own professional lens. The spirit of intellectual curiosity and the calibre of different perspectives gathered are exactly why H+K was proud to sponsor this year’s edition.

It was a powerful day for conversation and no two perspectives were the same. A common theme? Responsibility and humanity must be front and centre within innovation.

Can technology help keep healthcare human?

Jessica Walsh, H+K London’s Managing Director of Healthcare, opened her session with a simple truth:  “The conversation on technology is loud, but human need is louder.” She was joined in conversation onstage by John Gordon of Pfizer Innovative Health; Deborah El-Sayed, Executive Director of Transformation at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group; and Ben Ryan, CEO of Ambionics.

Ben talked about the frustration he felt when health professionals couldn’t offer help with prosthetic false arms for his new-born son until he reached age one. It drove him to find his own solution in 3D printing, and that was the start of Ambionics, a startup providing unique prosthetic solutions for infants. Ben shared his thinking that “if you have an idea that could help someone, you have a moral obligation to pursue it.” With technological advances in mind, he underlined the need for UK prosthetists to learn 3D printing, which can be difficult to do when they are already busy with their jobs but is the source of the next great wave of advancement in their industry. John also shared a personal experience involving technology and healthcare. When he found out he had a heart condition, he turned to the internet for answers and additional research, as many people do. He noted the patient communities where people can connect and answer questions. “Technology gives us insight into how to manage our conditions.” The panellists agreed that accessibility and regulation are two key considerations for tech in healthcare, but more importantly that people must come first. “Nothing goes out the door without being co-created with patients and healthcare professionals,” said John. When discussing the risks of tech in healthcare, Deborah mentioned healthcare devices online could lead to a false diagnosis for patients. We still need clinicians to read and analyse the results. People are educated, technology is not.

Jessica then asked the panel, “What are the asks we have of brands to help us improve our experiences in healthcare?” Ben said organisations should consider funding innovation centres to bridge the gap between companies and individuals. John stressed the importance of partnerships because, “we can’t do it on our own.” Be curious around what is possible and ask “how” we can move the needle. From Pfizer’s perspective, he said ‘We look for opportunities for tech to solve problems along the patient journey. Nothing goes out the door without being either co-created with patients or HCPs or rigorously tested by them. It’s part of why Pfizer is especially good at adoption, not just invention.” Deborah said brands should engage and listen to what other people are saying. When tech and healthcare meet, it’s not just a pitch for new business. “Tech companies need to enable the user to come to them in order to get the best ideas, outcomes and progress to leverage the benefits of technology in healthcare.”

The way our data is used

Several of the sessions at One Question focused on how data is used. “Big data is the source of some problems, but it absolutely can be the solution as well,” said Amelia Showalter of Pantheon Analytics. Amelia shared examples of how organisations use data to encourage people to vote or to make political operations more efficient. She also discussed how the recently announced Facebook dating app will know more about you than your standard dating platforms. Facebook knows your likes, the articles you’re reading, the places you’ve travelled, your relationship status… it’s miles ahead of anything else that’s ever existed.

From another perspective, artist Em Cole shared a story of her online data being stolen and misused. When Em searched her name on the internet at age 17, she discovered websites where her photos were part of what she described as “image-based sexual assault.” To answer the question about technology’s impact on our experiences, Em said it all depends on how we choose to use technology and who we allow to be heard.

When it comes to marketing, a panel of experts said it’s important to understand the level of interaction that consumers want to have, and then to ensure communication is authentic and trustworthy. Russell Parsons, Editor of Marketing Week, led the marketing conversation with Sophie Wooler of iProspect; Jeremy Waite of IBM Watson (a previous Creativity+ speaker); and Katie Baker of Samsung. The panel discussed whether data personalisation for marketing is “creepy or helpful.” On the plus side, consumers are seeing more content that is relevant for them. The experts agreed that “enhancing” experiences can mean different things for different people.

How tech impacts society

During the One Question Conference, speakers also discussed how technology has impacted mental health, intimacy, and our financial wellbeing.

Mariana Pastana, curator of the Tomorrow’s World exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, kicked off her session by referencing her robot vacuum cleaner and machine learning. She suggested that robots mirror human behaviour and could develop a personality over time or eventually replace humans as workers (which is already happening in some industries). She believes robots “form a new technological species” with human traits. Robots are taking care of our needs and demand our affection. “When my robot learns to love, will I be able to love it back?”

Tara Prabhaker of Kantar Insights said, “Technology offers a way to step outside our bubbles.” After watching a VR video of a Syrian refugee camp, Tara knew that the technology was not created to escape reality but to experience it. Technology matched with empathy can lead to transformative experiences.

To close the event, fashion and portrait photographer Rankin had a fireside chat with the event organiser, Sarah Parsonage. The pair discussed how brands are using influencers now, and people with minimal training “think they are photographers.” Photography has been democratised. Rankin also expressed concern for younger generations and their fondness for selfies. He noted that artwork he used to create in photoshop 20 years ago can now be done in the touch of a button in Snapchat. Storytelling is changing – it used to be about the past, today it’s about the “now” where it’s difficult to provide the same level of depth.

While tech has dramatically changed our world, the One Question conference was a reminder that human need and empathy still have a vital influence on innovation.

by H+K United Kingdom | June 14, 2018 | @ http://www.hkstrategies.com/united-kingdom/en-uk/one-question-conference-techs-impact-experiences/

Please contact Eleni Constantinidi for more information.