Moderator, Reg Smith introduced a lively discussion of developments in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, big data and robotics.
Following his introduction, he took a comment from member, Philip Cornish who referred to a book he is reading right now: A World Without Work: Technology, Automation and How We Should Respond" Daniel Susskind, Penguin.
Philip wondered out-loud how many of us are inclined to be digital luddites, reflecting on the parallels of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, when angry workers destroyed textile machinery as a form of protest against the use of machinery to get around standard labour practices. The Luddites were a radical faction of textile workers.
Dr. Elaine Saunders is Independent Chair of the Innovation Precinct Advisory Board at Swinburne University; co -Founder of Blamey Saunders Hears, and “Entrepreneur in Residence” at both the Bionics Institute and Swinburne.
Elaine commented on the exciting possibility that big data on disease symptoms and how these interact with each of our genetic profiles and enable strong customization of treatments with unprecedented effectiveness. She was optimistic that as has been the case in the past, new technologies will develop new jobs that are unimaginable right now that easily replace much mundane work.
She feared that our education system might fall short on the challenge of training learning agile people capable of embracing change that will inevitably occur.
Dr Richard Skinner, Principal and Owner of Dentist on Collins, a private practice in Melbourne CBD, is an early adopter and innovative thinker; and noted that the challenge with technology is evaluation and assessment of the appropriateness of new developments as they occur.
Richard spoke of the Operating Microscope’s impact on his delivery of dental services, how he sits upright fatigue free while working, the benefit of high magnification in working in a confined space, the educational opportunities to show patients their own problems. Patients are able to watch increasing their understanding and appreciation of the difficulty of some procedures
He noted that no AI machine could bring the empathy and compassion required in the dentist patient relationship.
Dr Chris Sotiropoulos, a lawyer and microbiologist who is Co-Founder and Director of APAC Health, and Principal of Legal and International Commercial Services. He helps firms manage the complexities of taking their innovative products to the world.
He expressed excitement at the new immune therapies to treat rare blood diseases that are now funded by the Government and are an exciting expression of personalised medicine.
Chris was optimistic that human ingenuity would solve the problem of job destruction but fearful that technology might fail to be fully exploited because of inadequate regulatory responses.
The session ended with several questions from the floor and the presentation of R100 Bamboo socks … the ultimate in innovation brought to us by past President Phil Endersbee. Thanks Reg Smith for this summary.
