What is the difference between artificial intelligence and deep learning? How much do you know about blockchain technology? How is open innovation connected to design sprints? When are we, as knowledge workers, most productive? We went looking for answers to these questions. The main thread of our search: the ways in which organizations can use modern technology to their advantage. Here you’ll find the 6 key points of Change Your Mind, our C-level knowledge sharing event.

1. technology in itself is never a solution.

Ehh, we beg to differ? And yet it is the truth, according to Andrew Turner, Founding Partner of Investerium. If you think about it, you have to admit that even the internet started out as just a hype. It only became useful after inventing applications such as e-mail, websites, social media …

The same happened with cryptocurrencies.

It started out as a hype, but thanks to new applications, improvements in technology and a little attention in the media, there are many practical ways to use this technology today. One example is Blockchain: an application that allows for the safe reselling of tickets, sharing of sensitive documents, sharing of information in the health industry and many other applications. It may even facilitate fundamental socio-economical changes.

Will blockchain be just as big as the internet one day? Andrew and his business partners are sure of it!

2. data makes the world go round.

Artificial intelligence, does anyone really know what that entails? Bart Smeets, founder of Dataroots, defines the term as follows: “The capacity of a machine to interpret complex inputs and learn from them to achieve a given goal”.

These goals can be diverse (automatization, prediction, explanation …). The input consists of complex data (so complex that it would not be efficient to have this data analyzed by a person). The programs compare all the data that they’ve ever received, and are able to learn from analogue situations. Quite simple, right?

then how do we use AI?

We mostly use AI for decision support: since AI helps us analyze more data, we can make an informed decision about a certain product or service. It also helps companies gain a competitive advantage, because they get to offer a better, personalized service to the client.

Risk minimization is also an important advantage offered by AI: companies can scan their potential clients before doing business with them. In conclusion, by using Artificial Intelligence, companies gain an advantage in the market.

3. if (deep learning) then {profit}.

Do you recognize the following problem? You have an awesome business idea, but you don’t have enough resources within your company to make it happen. You quickly find a solution: automatization. But while programming, you notice that this option is limited as well. Fear not! Jonathan Berte of Robovision has the perfect solution for you: Deep Learning.

Deep what? Deep Learning is based on Artificial Intelligence and allows its user to attach data directly to their program. Basically, you let go of the If/Then type of programming, and you train your machine to recognize data. Fascinating? We think so!

In practice, Robovision mainly uses deep learning in an agricultural context. They taught a robot to hold a flower without damaging it, and to replant it afterwards. Robovision also creates Smart cities: they use information technology and the Internet of Things to govern the city. Why? If you can organize a city more efficiently, you can also improve the quality of life of its inhabitants.

4. solve all your problems in 1 week.

Turning your challenge into a productive solution in just 1 week? Impossible! Nope, because our own talented Joni Haeck gets you to a solution in 4 days.

How does he do this?

By using Design Sprints. You will work with Joni for 4 days (but don’t worry, he’s a fun guy) and on the 4th day you reach a solution.

On Monday, you define your challenge. Tuesday, you decide on an ideal solution. Wednesdays are for prototyping. On Thursday, you get to test your prototype. And on Friday? You can relax and enjoy the feeling of knowing how to deal with your challenge… ;-)

5. the most talented people always work in another team.

Statistically, that is. Which is why, according to Jan De Clippeleer of EY, you should collaborate with other companies and their talents. He’s talking about Open Innovation. This can work in the context of a small company that collaborates with a large company (a mouse and an elephant playing together), or as 2 large organizations helping each other out (2 elephants dancing together).

The biggest advantage of working with Open Innovation is that you don’t need to have all the knowledge in your own company. You create a network in which everyone is responsible for their own task, that which he or she is most talented in, to get to the desired result.

6. everything is going great.

How should you describe Martijn Aslander? Stubborn, chaotic, genius. As life hacker, Martijn spends his days thinking about subjects such as ‘how to do more in less time, with less stress and more impact?’

According to him, this is difficult in our knowledge-based society: we spend at least 8 hours per day working with technology (computer, smartphone, tablet …). Because the world moves so fast, we feel the need to be as productive as we can be during those 8 hours. Does this make sense? Wouldn’t we be more productive if we worked fewer hours, and maybe even worked less digital? Can we prevent burnouts by switching back to analog?

Get to know all about Martijn on his website, or by reading one of his books (Nooit af, for example).

Fun? Check! Interesting? Double check! Organize another one of these events? Yes please!

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