Game-Changing Conversations, Presented by SAP

The buzz: “It's going to be interesting to see how society deals with artificial intelligence, but it will definitely be cool” (Colin Angle). When humans and computers work together, they can do amazing things neither can do alone. Most design jobs today require empathy, problem framing, creative problem solving, negotiation, and persuasion. Wth a boost from AI, non-designers can develop these skills and in the future, everyone will be a designer. The experts speak. Frank Diana, TCS: “The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands, bold, persistent experimentation” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). Maricel Cabahug, SAP: “The greatest scientific discovery was the discovery of ignorance” (Yuval Noah Harari). Ian Gertler, Symplegades: “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” (Leonardo da Vinci). Masha Krol, Element AI: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives” (Annie Dillard). Join us for AI: Designing the Future of Humanity – Part 2.

The buzz: “The goods of today are the resources of tomorrow, at yesterday’s resource prices” [Walter R. Stahel). The last 150 years of industrial evolution have been dominated by a one-way model of production and consumption where goods are manufactured from raw materials, sold, used, then discarded or incinerated as waste. As this practice is not sustainable, the call for a new economic model is getting louder. Enter the circular economy model, recognizing value and eliminating waste by maintaining products, extending their service life, and repurposing one product’s waste to maintain another – reuse, repair, remanufacture. Top corporations are leading the charge on accelerating the circular economy. The experts speak. Christopher Koch, SAP: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door” (Milton Berle). Will Ritzrau, SAP: “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world” (Dead Poets Society). Join us for Circular Economy: Radical and Unproven or Saving the Planet?

The buzz: “Some people call this artificial intelligence, but the reality is this technology will enhance us” (Ginny Rometty). When humans and computers work together, they can do amazing things that neither could do alone. Most design jobs today require empathy, problem framing, creative problem solving, negotiation, and persuasion. With a boost from AI, non-designers can develop these skills. The result? In the future, everyone will be a designer. The experts speak. Frank Diana, TCS: “I believe that college should shape students into professionals but also creators...” (Joseph E. Aoun) Ian Gertler, Symplegades: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader” (John Q. Adams). Masha Krol, Element AI: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives” (Annie Dillard). Maricel Cabahug, SAP: “The biggest mistake one can make is to not make a mistake” (Martine Rothblatt). Join us for AI: Designing the Future of Humanity.

The buzz: “We’ve learned that open innovation works best when people are collaborating side by side, and also moving around between organizations” [Henry Chesbrough]. Savvy companies know they need to innovate better, faster, cheaper—and more collaboratively. How? Open Innovation: collaborative partnerships between young, dynamic firms and larger, established businesses, leveraging the complementary resources of both to create value. Need proof? In a 2015 A.T. Kearney study on Collaborative Innovation in Digital Europe, 71% of respondents expected 25+% of revenues through collaborative innovation by 2030. Need more convincing? The experts speak. Upen Barve, SAP: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life” (Steve Jobs). Akshay Patel, SustAnalyze: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi). Scott Schwartzman, SAP: “Culture eats ‘digital’ strategy for breakfast” (re: Peter Drucker) Join us for Open Innovation: Taking Collaboration to the Bank.

The buzz: “When purpose is established and acted upon, great things can happen” [Dan Pontefract, forbes.com). In an increasingly connected world, we have more choices -- who we buy from, work for, invest in. A World Economic Forum paper noted that “smart businesses are incorporating the broader principles of sustainability into their business decisions… retailers and manufacturers have a responsibility not only to their shareholders but also for the working conditions and the environmental practices… throughout the entire supply chain.” Is your company there yet? The experts speak. Freya Williams, Futerra: “It always seems impossible until it’s done” (N. Mandela). Jim Sullivan, SAP: “I intend to live forever. So far, so good” (Steven Wright). Padmini Ranganathan, SAP: “If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live…ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for” (T. Merton). Join us for Billion Dollar Business: Driving Profit from Purpose.