THINKING DIGITAL 2025. More like witnessing human ingenuity - and I can’t wait for 2026
Just returned from the 16th edition of ‘Thinking Digital Conference’ at The Glasshouse in Gateshead, and I'm hugely inspired.
This event consistently delivers a fusion of technology, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas.
I had a little break from the ‘talking at you’ events for the last 10 years and have been immersing myself in a more hands-on interactive approach. But consider my mind blown from two days in Newcastle.
Highlights included:
Julian Treasure's insights on the power of listening and how sound influences our daily lives:
Listening is about experiencing the present:
He suggests that sound, unlike an instant sound photograph, is always in time, creating a flow that connects us to the present.
Listening helps us understand the flow of time:
Because sound is constantly evolving, listening allows us to experience time in a way that no other sense can.
Conscious listening is key:
Treasure encourages people to listen consciously and deliberately to others, paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Different listening positions:
He identifies various listening positions, including active/passive, critical/empathic, and reductive/expansive, highlighting the importance of choosing the right position for the situation.
The "RASA" method:
Treasure advocates for the "RASA" method, which involves receiving, appreciating, summarizing, and asking questions when listening.
Conrad Wolfram's vision for redefining education in the AI era, emphasising computational thinking:
As a technologist and advocate for reforming mathematics education, Conrad discussed the need to shift from traditional hand-calculating methods to teaching computational thinking. He emphasised the importance of integrating real-world problem-solving into math curricula to better prepare students for the AI age.
Carl Miller's exploration of digital power dynamics and the evolving landscape of online influence. Buy his book, as it is too scary to write on this post!
A researcher at Demos and co-founder of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media, Carl explored how digital technologies are reshaping power structures in society. He shared insights from his book, "The Death of the Gods," discussing the rise of social media intelligence and its impact on politics, crime, and journalism
Joy Milne's remarkable story of detecting diseases through scent showcases the intersection of human senses and science.
Who knew that Joy has a magic nose to detect Parkinson’s disease and is now training her nose to detect TB?
Known for her unique ability to detect diseases through scent, Joy shared her journey and the scientific implications of her olfactory skills. She highlighted the intersection of human senses and medical diagnostics, offering a unique perspective on early disease detection.
It was a brilliant double act with the super-talented Drupad Trivedi backing up Joy’s nose with scientific advancements in disease detection through technological exploration.
Andy Stanford-Clark's discussion on the Internet of Things and its impact on our connected world.
Not only was his note-taking extraordinary, with his ‘remarkable’- but his presentation about the first automated boat that sailed across the Atlantic was amazing. There is so much talk about automated cars, now here is a real-world example that is working, that is totally unmanned and automated.
Erin Kinnee's perspective on emerging technologies shaping the future of collaboration and some trends
A Design Thinking Lead at Accenture, Erin explored the integration of AI into design processes. She discussed how generative AI is influencing creativity and collaboration in business environments.
Natasha Boulding's innovations in sustainable materials and their role in environmental conservation.
As CEO of Low Carbon Materials, Natasha presented on sustainable materials and their role in combating climate change. She shared innovations in creating eco-friendly construction materials and the importance of sustainability in industry
Brendan Dawes's generative art that blurs the lines between data and design -
Brendan gave us an insight into how he made ‘Helvetica, with filmmaker Gary Hustwit- a generative documentary, and it is never the same twice
Sophia Rose Long's adventures in electromagnetic wave research and its applications - blown away by ‘masers’ -
Who knew, but we MUST start using them, they go through buildings, fog, and I can’t wait to see the real world innovations that it will be relevant for - A world without lasers
As a researcher in electromagnetic waves, Sophia discussed the applications of electromagnetic research in modern technology. Her talk covered advancements in communication technologies and their implications for the future
Emer Maguire's unique blend of science and music makes complex topics accessible and entertaining.
Alfie Joey's insights into effective communication in the digital age.
A versatile broadcaster and speaker, Alfie shared insights on effective communication and creativity. Drawing from his experience in entertainment and radio, he discussed the importance of storytelling and adaptability in the digital age.
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
The conference underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, divergent thinking, and the human element in technological advancement.
Grateful for the opportunity to connect with such brilliant minds and looking forward to integrating these insights into future projects.
A big thank you to Herb Kim for consistently finding the most inspiring and humble stories to be shared,.
#ThinkingDigital2025 #Innovation #TechMeetsCreativity #FutureThinking #TD2025
