VOGUE CODES 2024
VOGUE Codes, solving problems & why I'm not pessimistic about AI
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending Vogue Australia’s annual Vogue Codes summit. The theme, “Designing the World of Tomorrow,” covered topics ranging from the future of medicine, relationships, love, technology, and, of course, AI. The day was fascinating and inspiring, and I filled my notebook (included in the very lush gift bag) with notes.
Technology Solving Problems
One standout observation was that all the incredible technological advancements discussed throughout the day were solutions to existing problems. For example;
Supersonic Flight: Supersonic flight has been banned since the 1970s due to the alarmingly loud ‘sonic boom’ that is made as an aircraft breaks the sound barrier. NASA’s X-59 project aims to design an aircraft capable of quiet supersonic flight, potentially reducing travel time from Sydney to LA to less than 7 hours.
Sustainable Fashion: The garment industry contributes 8-10% of global carbon emissions. To save the planet, Patagonia faced a choice: leave the industry or dive deep to find solutions. They chose the latter, leading to innovations that not only address the environmental impact of their business but set a new standard for the industry.
Reducing Waste: NET-A-PORTER is trialling a 3D avatar that can try clothes on for you before purchase. The goal is to reduce returns which are bad for business, the environment, and annoying for customers.
Catherine Bahm, Low Boom Flight Demonstrator Project Manager, NASA
The Importance of Understanding the Problem
Before Vogue Codes, I often tuned out discussions about AI, dismissing it as a buzzword seemingly shoehorned into every business and idea. I couldn’t see the real problems it solved. Did they really invent ChatGPT just to make uni essays easier? Why do all my apps now have an ‘✨ Ask AI’ option all of the sudden?
The true value of technology lies in the problem it is solving. In contrast to shoehorning the latest technology into every scenario, the best solutions come from deep immersion in the field, understanding the ecosystem and determining how best to utilise this technology to address a specific problem.
For example, CEO Nicole Robinson of Lyro Robotics explained how dedicated engagement with growers has been essential for developing robots that can improve the speed and efficiency of packing produce. Understanding the impact of labour shortages means they’ve customised their delivery model so farmers can lease the robots for when they need them. Understanding the downstream requirements of supermarkets - they wont accept even a slight bruise - means produce needs to be packed gently and carefully. Understanding the limitations of space and logistics - the robot can pack produce efficiently, to maximise the carton space and reduce damage in transit.
The result is less waste, fresher food, and a closer farm-to-table connection. Understanding the industry and the problems they face, results in a better solution with more impact.
Solutions are more than the tech
These new fields of AI, robotics and complex computer modelling essentially empowers a computer to make fast decisions on it’s own within a range of parameters. In the same way that the micro processor makes everything from calculators to supercomputers possible, these new fields hold incredible potential.
The ability to make precise, targeted solutions for specific problems, at incredible speeds, is a game changer. My favourite example from this was from Chelsea Mayoh at the Zero Childhood Cancer project.
Chelsea Mayoh, Senior Scientist, Bioinformatics, Children's Cancer Institute with Vogue Australia's Mahalia Chang
Bioinformatics, a sub-discipline involving computer technology to analyse biological data (such as DNA), has enormous potential in healthcare. For instance, specific tumours can be biopsied and assessed against a range of medicines to establish a treatment approach in hours. This has doubled the survival rate for the terminally ill children in these trials.
Bioinformatics are amazing, but to say “this tech is solving this problem” is not quite correct. Bioinformatics is the tool utilised by a team, backed by decades of research and driven by a passion to improve the lives of terminally ill children.
Powered by people
AI & robotics represent an opportunity to solve problems in completely new ways, that have not been possible in the past. But on their own, they can’t do anything.
It’s the people who devote the time to understanding the problem deeply enough and drive the tech forward.
At the of the day, all tech is built by people for people. No technology is without human fingerprints and the panelists and speakers at Vogue Codes were exactly the type of people you want putting their fingerprints on the future.
As Jessica Montague, Executive Editor at Vogue Australia put it, “the future is in good hands.”
Already looking forward to next year!
Technology changes fast but people will always be people and problems will always need solving. If you’d like to learn more about a framework that can help you solve any problem, Happy Medium’s next Problem Solving 101 group course will be announced soon.
If you can’t even think about solving the world’s pressing problems because your inbox is draining your attention, sign up for the Automate your Admin class launching soon and take back your headspace. The future needs you!
