Going Deep: 5 Reasons to Attend SGInnovate’s Deep Tech Summit

These days, just about anyone can build an app and, just like that, start a tech business. But while consumer apps undoubtedly make our lives more convenient and interesting, truly world-changing breakthroughs are much more likely to come out of deep tech ventures—companies based on unique, patentable research that is prohibitively difficult for competitors to copy.

Keen to scope out the deep tech space? You can do so on 18 September 2018 at SGInnovate’s Deep Tech Summit, a unique event that will bring together thought leaders, industry practitioners and decision makers in deep tech-related fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, medtech, venture-building and talent development. Much more than a networking event, the Summit’s programme has been specially curated to spark thought-provoking discussion on how technology can be used to build a better tomorrow. 

Still on the fence? Read on for five excellent reasons why you should attend. 

1. Harness tech as a force for good 

Technology is a double-edged sword—left unchecked, its risks and potential for misuse could ultimately outweigh its benefits. Thus, alongside developing innovations like AI, blockchain and medtech, we also need to figure out how to wield them wisely—a major theme of the Summit.

At the Summit’s opening keynote, hear about technology as a force for societal change from Professor Subra Suresh, president of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore and former director of the US National Science Foundation. 

Other speakers continuing this theme throughout the Summit include Ms Susan Oh, founder and CEO of MKR AI, a company that uses AI to flag disinformation; Mr Niall Dennehy, COO and co-founder of AID:Tech, a platform that uses blockchain to deliver international aid; Mr Philip Kowalczyk, head of business development and strategy at Johnson & Johnson Medical Asia Pacific; and Ms Kathrine Myhre, CEO at health technology cluster Norway Health Tech.

2. Navigate the autonomous future

Robots are fast becoming smarter and more dexterous, and have already been adopted for a range of advanced applications—sorting variable parts, assembling equipment, and even performing surgery, just to name a few. The future will likely see us relying on robots for functions that were previously considered to be the sole domain of humans, such as companionship, education and counselling. 

How will robots change the way we live, work and interact with each other? Find out more from speakers like Dr Ben Goertzel, an expert on artificial general intelligence and chief scientist at Hanson Robotics; Professor Hiroaki Kitano, president and CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratories; and Mr Luis Gonzales, manufacturing and industrial lead and ASEAN principal director at AI solutions provider Element AI. 

3. Rethink the future of work 

Despite their advantages, there’s no escaping the fact that AI and autonomous systems will displace jobs and drastically alter the future of work. Preparing for these changes urgently requires us to rethink talent development—from education systems to skills programmes to on-the-job training—so that workers can cope with an uncertain future.

At the Summit, join in the conversation on talent, which forms the bedrock of a successful deep tech company. Hear from speakers like Dr Ayesha Khanna, co-founder and CEO of AI incubator ADDO AI; Dr Bicky Bhangu, president for Southeast Asia, Pacific and South Korea at Rolls-Royce; and Mr Richard Koh, CTO of Microsoft Singapore, about how digital technologies can be used to augment human capacities, freeing us up to take on ever more challenging and creative tasks.

4. Get to the bottom of blockchain

Ah, blockchain—that new buzzword that everyone uses but few really understand. Up your game by signing up for the Blockchain Research and Industry Introduction Workshop, held on 17 September on the sidelines of the Summit, where you’ll receive a full-day crash course in blockchain theory and industry practices.

Led by academic researchers and industry practitioners, the workshop will cover topics such as the unique properties of different types of blockchains, novel blockchain research and applications, digital currencies and exchange platforms, initial coin offerings and government regulations. You’ll leave with a clearer idea of how you can make blockchain technology work for you, and with an awareness of the opportunities and risks in the space. 

After the workshop, use your newfound knowledge at the main Summit, where you can pick the brains of industry leaders like Mr Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum and founder of blockchain incubator ConsenSys; Mr Soeren Duvier, managing director (Asia) of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance; and Mr Don Tapscott, founder and executive chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute. Mr Tapscott will appear via holographic telepresence.

5. Be inspired by the who’s who of autonomous tech

SGInnovate’s invite-only Investors Night will be on autonomous technology. It will be live-tweeted via #DeepTechSummit. Get the low-down  from our expert panellists Mr Niels de Boer, programme director of NTU’s Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles; Mr Dinakar Munagala, co-founder and CEO of computing platforms company ThinCI; and Mr Ling Ting Ming, CEO of smart cities solutions provider ActiV Technology Group. The trio will discuss the challenges entrepreneurs face when taking solutions to market, as well as how investors can participate in the space.

We're holding our inaugural Deep Tech Summit on 18 September. The full-day conference will bring together leading minds in deep tech to exchange ideas and create exchanges that aim to build a better future. Be part of the Deep Tech Summit!