{"id":8967,"date":"2019-05-24T16:59:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-24T20:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.brainstation.io\/?p=8967"},"modified":"2020-05-07T13:00:21","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T17:00:21","slug":"6-things-we-learned-at-collision-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brainstation.io\/blog\/6-things-we-learned-at-collision-2019","title":{"rendered":"6 Things We Learned at Collision 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Collision 2019 has come and gone, and the massive tech conference did not disappoint, with thousands of attendees, exhibitors, and speakers from some of the largest and most innovative companies in the world. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s impossible to sum up the entire conference, but here is a snapshot of some of the things we learned at <\/span>Collision 2019<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Technology is Impacting the World (for Better or Worse)<\/b><\/h2>\n

This month, we are hosting a series of panel discussions on the use of <\/span>data science for social good<\/span><\/a>, which touch on the different ways companies are using data to affect change. A number of Collision talks also pointed to the impact technology is having on a societal level, and it wasn\u2019t always pretty. <\/span><\/p>\n

For evidence, look no further than a session with Mona Siddiqui, the CDO of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which focused on tech\u2019s role in the spread of misinformation, particularly when it comes to the pro-disease (or anti-vax) movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, with the online marketplace of information, it\u2019s difficult to separate fact from opinion, which can lead to the rapid spread of false information. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs more and more of us use social media as the primary source of information, we need to really think about the responsibility of some of these companies around how they\u2019re differentiating information from opinion,\u201d she said, adding that it can\u2019t all be left up to private companies. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a responsibility in many different parts of this equation \u2013 responsibility from a social media company perspective, responsibility from individuals, taking the time to actually look at information in more thoughtful ways,\u201d explained Siddiqui.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mona

Mona Siddiqui<\/p><\/div>\n

Linda Boff, GE\u2019s Chief Marketing Officer, also brought up that sense of responsibility and purpose and explained how it can be a source of ongoing career motivation.  <\/span><\/p>\n

“To work in a company that\u2019s involved with tech, where the outcomes are driving healthcare, in areas where affordability is an issue, driving power to the third of the world that doesn\u2019t have electricity…these things are a way of looking at technology that don\u2019t get the halo that they should.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Talent is a Fundamental Aspect of Digital Transformation<\/b><\/h2>\n

A hot topic across the conference was digital transformation, and more specifically, how talent is fundamental to that process. In fact, Robert Alexander, CIO of Capital One, highlighted talent as a critical aspect of the company\u2019s seven-year digital transformation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the talent is probably the most fundamental part of this transformation and the hardest to do,\u201d said Alexander. \u201cIf we think winning in this business is about being a great technology company, then we\u2019ve got to have the talent of a great technology company.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The trouble is, finding skilled talent can be quite difficult, and numerous executives cited frustration with the outcomes of the traditional educational model. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe that we\u2019re getting the talent coming from universities or academia that has the skill sets that we need for the future,\u201d said Karen Walker, CMO of Cisco Systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Tech Industry is Rethinking the Role of Social Media<\/b><\/h2>\n

One way or the other, conversations almost always turned toward social media, and the impact it was having on our day-to-day lives. <\/span><\/p>\n

First, Actor and HITRECORD Co-Founder Joseph Gordon-Levitt discussed the negative influence social networks were having on creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t really a way for the business model of those media tech platforms to measure and monetize a meaningful creative experience … you start thinking while you\u2019re singing or writing, is this going to get a lot of likes? How many followers is this going to get me? And I think that\u2019s not really good for the creative process,\u201d Gordon-Levitt said. <\/span><\/p>\n