The Ideas
The discussion began through the lens of biotechnology, where the first expert shared a breakthrough in cultivating plant-based meat. Through sharing illuminating statistics about carbon emissions, the expert demonstrated the future of farming using a synergy of education and industry. This interlinked with the main ideas of the second expert, who used a hybrid of simple technologies – self-engineered kites and drones – and education to build self-sustainable communities through eco-forest restoration. Recognizing that community and society underpin all scientific work, they encouraged radical listening to give autonomy to indigenous communities. Moreover, the discourse explored how policy facilitates scientific innovation. The third expert demonstrated the importance of the inter-discipline between material science, robotics, and generative AI to create groundbreaking clean energy and power technologies. An emphasis was placed on aligning government policy to projects, to facilitate and accelerate scaling and in turn impact. As the dialogue drew to a close, the final expert reflected upon the vitality of coalitions and collaboration. Concreted in their belief in thinking big, trying small, failing fast, and scaling now, they inspired a new methodology to approach startup innovations. The need for systematic and bilateral thinking to create adaptive scientific solutions and networks was a key focus throughout.
The final question posed to the experts was “What are the barriers and challenges of your inventions and innovations?” All experts agreed on insufficient investments and funding, also focusing on issues with scaling and timing of projects. Nonetheless, while acknowledging the respective challenges of their projects, there was a shared sense of optimism. Grounded in the belief of upskilling the next generation, it was agreed that humanity can navigate towards a future flourishing from scientific innovation.
The Perspectives
In an approach slightly different from the traditional format, participants were next encouraged to briefly share their own innovations in their respective careers to garner inspiration and build bridges between innovators.
Several participants mentioned breakthroughs relating to financial strategies, business models, and risk mitigation policies, prompting experts to elucidate such challenges of their respective innovations and inventions. Breakthroughs included using analytics to make better decisions on the road to decarbonization, net zero, and sustainability. Moreover, participants addressed pioneering technologies in the clean energy sector, including geothermal and solar energy. This prompted other participants to reflect on their innovative nature-inspired solutions, such as processing and decoding information from plants to propel the agriculture sector towards sustainability. Participants delved into the themes of biodiversity and nature-inspired solutions through the lens of nature mimicry. This prompted discussion into the importance of preservation and conservation on local and international scales.
Towards the end, participants became aware that not all innovations are equal, yet their consequences may be of equal significance. Through informing people, trusting the community, and taking ownership, it was highlighted that our technological breakthroughs are important and will continue to be crucial in solving planetary challenges.
