The goal of Stanford University Media X is to foster
collaborations between industry and academia. The 5th
Annual Media X Conference on Research, Collaboration,
Innovation and Productivity, which I was fortunate to
attend, served its purpose well. Let me share the 10 Key
Trends that every business executive and innovator should
be paying attention to:
1) Personal Robotics is poised to explode soon (predicted
by Paul Saffo). It usually takes 20 years science basic
science exists until applications reach inflection point
and take the world by storm-and we are about to see that
happen. Some indicators: DARPA sponsored first robotics
attempts in mid-80s, and now we have applications such as
the Roomba vacuum-cleaner, and a fully automated racing
car. Prof. Kenneth Salisbury showed how there are robots
today with great motor skills-i.e., they can unload a
dishwasher!
2) Brain Computer Interfaces. Prof. Krishna Shenoy
explained how, for many people who can't move/ communicate
well, new systems enable the translation of brain signals
into control signals, by implanting electrodes in brain
that measure signals and help predict behaviors based on
response pattern recognition There are already applications
today that help people move cursors based on their thoughts.
3) Clean Technology: Scott Z. Burns, co-producer of An
Inconvenient Truth, explained how Al Gore was reluctant to
make the movie, but he was convinced to participate given
the increasing threat of global warming. Al Gore saw an
analogy between the movie and a bio-feedback device that
her daughter used to treat her migraines. In biofeedback,
one learns how to manage vital body variables in order to
reach a goal (preventing migraines, managing stress...).
Similarly, Gore wanted each viewer to find his or her own
"levers" or "muscles" and ways to act -not just be told
what to do.
4) Reinventing Aging: Prof. Laura L. Carstensen, of the
Stanford Center on Longevity, explained how Technology &
Science has been improving Biology for the last 150 years,
and now we need to focus on how to help people remain
physically fit and mentally sharp as we age. We need to
redefine "aging". Nowadays, there are many role models in
their 70s and 80s that show how age is not an obstacle for
being active contributors in society.
5) Virtual Simulations for medical education. Dr. LeRoy
Heinrichs showed how simulations work very well to train
surgeons and other medical professionals learn how to
perform their jobs. Virtual simulations (in a simulated
virtual environment) can work as well as physical ones
(which typically are more expensive and less scalable).
6) Green Building and Green Cars. Prof. Gilbert M. Masters
recommended reading the article "It's the Architecture,
Stupid!" to understand how buildings account for 35-45%
carbon emissions in the US, more than transportation and
industry.
7) Friends not Email: Prof. B.J. Fogg claimed that email
"cheapens our lives" and insisted that maintaining close
relationships is critical for happiness. Email is a very
bad tool to manage close relationships. Wise words.
8) Science Videos: Prof. Roy D. Pea made the case that
there is an increasing need for DIY videos in protocol
sharing among scientists, so they can better replicate
experiments. His Lab is creating new ways to enable people
create conversations about video to enhance diversity of
views and connections.
9) Games for Learning: Prof. Dan Schwartz showcased new
methods for learning outside the classroom. Games can help
merge formal & informal learning. Teachable agents are
computer programs created by students to make their
knowledge explicit, and can be used as part of games to
motivate students do their homework.
10) 3D Scientific Imaging. Prof. Paul Brown displayed some
of the new imaging and software packages that allow doctors
navigate virtually into the bodies of patients, in a
non-invasive way The images are simply spectacular. They
used these technologies to see in detail the interiors of
an Egyptian mummy.
Which of these trends is more relevant to your business?
What can you do to start preparing for the future, today?
----------------------------------------------------
Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of
SharpBrains.com, which provides the latest science-based
information for Brain Training and Brain Exercise, and has
been recognized by Scientific American Mind, MarketWatch,
CBS, Forbes, and more. Alvaro holds MA in Education and MBA
from Stanford University, and teaches The Science of Brain
Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute. You can
learn more at http://www.sharpbrains.com/
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