London Tech Week 2023

Discussions that really caught my attention were sessions on how AI is revolutionising the creative industries, and the rise of tech companies with a social conscience.

Here's what I discovered...

1. AI stands out as a game-changer

While technology is rapidly advancing, AI stands out as a game-changer. Its power, potential, and the scrutiny it faces are undeniable. It has the ability to transform the world as we know it. Many of us have already embraced AI in our daily lives with devices like Alexa and Siri, but the emergence of generative AI has created even more excitement, especially in the realm of creativity.

During one of the sessions, the transformative influence of AI on the creative industries was explored, covering both the positive and negative aspects of new tools and technologies.

ChatGPT featured heavily and in particular its impact on creative production. Creatives can use AI to assist them with content creation / enhancement, data analytics, post-production workflows and data compression. This explains why the gaming industry, immersive applications, advertising and marketing have been one of the biggest adopters of AI. Ultimately, the sweeping adoption of artificial intelligence poses a concern for creatives leaving many questioning whether AI will replicate and / or replace human creativity.

Personally, I believe certain things are irreplaceable. For instance, so many factors play into why we, as consumers, gravitate to brands and find them appealing. Having the ability to understand one’s audience and speak their language relies on a deep understanding of the world. As it stands, AI isn’t there yet.

I would even draw a parallel to the huge shift towards the world of online working amid the pandemic. Having completed the majority of my university degree through my laptop, I am of the opinion that Zoom calls and digital alternatives stand no chance to in-person interactions. The exchange of energy, communicating in many ways beyond words ie. body language, facial expressions etc. These things all reflect the beauty inherent in the collective human experience. Whilst, AI is an incredibly powerful tool, it is just that within the creative realm. Something that can assist us.

The question then becomes how can creatives use AI to enrich output. I think there are huge opportunities to complement the uniqueness we bring with the use of productivity and management tools, for example. So AI isn’t currently capable of replacing the complexity of human creativity. But will that ever be the case? Only time will tell but the human element, as far as I’m concerned, is something that will continue to set our work apart from anything computer generated.

Maybe check back with me in a few years…

2. Diversity in tech

EQL:HER, an organisation dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of women in tech, hosted several enlightening panel talks featuring female founders and entrepreneurs. Zeena Qureshi, Roberta Lucca, and Deirdre McGettrick, took the stage to share their advice, early mistakes, and the bold leap they took to become founders.

What struck me the most was how the personal reflections shared by these individuals resonated with everyone. Whether you're just starting your career, like myself, or a CEO navigating the challenges of leading a rapidly expanding company, we all experience similar emotions. The stakes may differ, but fear, anxiety, excitement, and challenges are universal.

3. Be purposeful

Another highlight was a conversation with Kathryn Petralia, the co-founder of Keep Financial, a fintech compensation platform. Notably, she was recognised by Forbes as one of the World's Most Powerful Women in 2018. During her talk, she emphasised the significance of keeping purpose at the forefront while building a foundation for growth (something most of our clients at Outliers do very well). She stressed the importance of caring for and empowering the team to be authentic. When you have a great culture, exceptional people, outstanding products, and cutting-edge technology, incredible outcomes are bound to follow.

At the core of our work with clients lies a desire to address the communication obstacles faced by founders, challenger brands, and impact-driven businesses. London Tech Week and the conversations I witnessed and participated in, have offered us invaluable insights to further enhance our approach and the work we do.

It was amazing to catch a glimpse of the innovative ideas, valuable advice, and inspiring success stories shared by individuals within the ever-changing tech industry.

Trust that we’ll be back next year!