Diversity and Inclusion can create a thriving Technology and Innovation Ecosystem.

Wow, what an afternoon it was on Monday at the West Tech Fest Diversity and Innovation event.

The takeaway from yesterday's Diversity & Innovation event was that diversity is a way to create a thriving ecosystem of innovation. Thinking differently and encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset is great for companies that want to change the world and do things differently.

When you have senior leaders like Deputy Lord Mayor Clyde Bevan from the City of Perth sharing their stories of diversity openly with the audience, it then becomes an open and safe space for us all to share.

It was fantastic to meet with people I haven't met before, many industry champions, I did cringe a little when Mat Lewis called me a Guru. I also loved being on a panel with a multigenerational perspective from 16- 50.

Discussing the differing perspectives on the panels shows that diversity in the WA Market is a good thing. Listening to the ministers and their viewpoints on diversity was interesting, like Hon. Stephen Dawson , Minister for Emergency Services, on Innovation and the Digital Economy.

Quotes like "if at first you don't succeed try and try again"

"Don't take no for an answer"

"Optimism is a force multiplier"

"Things will always look better in the morning"

We heard from Hon Ayor Makur Chuot MLC , Member of North Metropolitan Region, WA Parliament on her journey to Western Australia as a refugee was inspiring with WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) Alex Jenkins sharing his knowledge with the audience.

The Mini Co-labs were great fun sharing knowledge across the whole room, from data to accessibility. Cecily Rawlinson had so much fun getting us all up and out of our chairs and up onto our feet. Even connecting us all to sing together in harmony.

The WA Innovation Hubs collaborated to deliver the day's third panel, which shone a spotlight on future skills and how what some may consider 'barriers' like neurodiversity can be assets in the future workplace. The ability to enhance a capacity for skills like Data, AI, Geospatial, adaptability and flexible thinking are vital for future skills. Thank you to my amazing panellists Karen Cheng , Aaliyah Nestoridis , Shane Lewis and my fellow Mentor from CoderDojo Archie. It was a great discussion, and I enjoyed it.

Thank you so much, MC Mat Lewis , for sharing your experiences generously and creating a wonderful flow to our stories and conversations.

So the questions we were asked were outlined below. I am madly writing down and thinking about how I answer these questions over lunch, and as promised, please find below a copy of my mind map to answer these questions.

Key Questions

1. What?skills have supported you across careers?? Artificial Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Maths Methods, Geography, Creativity, Public Speaking (through The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs , Spatial data (noise and pollution mapping), Data Analysis, Music, Multi-dimensional Data, Research, A Game called Imagine If?
2. What skills do you wish you had learned at school? More Maths. Should have studied Philosophy ( thinking about thinking from an AI perspective fascinates me) To break or bend the rules now and again, to Draw more, to question the intent of someone who says you're not good at something, To ignore the Naysayers and do it anyway. to be authentically me, to ignore the names of Geeky or Nerd and to be proud to be different and think differently. ?
3. What skills do you consider essential in the future workforce? Ideation, AI Engineers, Prompt Engineer, Coding, Rule breaking, Problem Solving, Ethics Divergent Thinking, Supply Chain,
4. How is a diverse workforce an opportunity to innovate? Different types of thinking, different perspectives, easier to problem solve with multiple perspectives, discussion with purpose, crossing the fear barrier is easier when someone else has already done it and by your side to support you on your project or venture.

Other points of note from the event.

Check out the Dubai Police Officer Avatar generated by AI it's very cool. Have a watch here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxN8rA6fl30

"Neuroplasticity and creativity are key to our future," Shane Lewis said panel event. and to "Slow down to go faster." I like this, as this is why I often draw whilst I am thinking, to break it down into a logical flow.

Sometimes people end up in the Screen dream." We need to ensure that our future generations have time and space to be innovative and creative. We must ensure that this time is built into our days so the real world doesn't get left behind.

We also discussed Interconnectedness, the ability to test, test, validate and be curious about the data. Be open-minded to the idea that the data might not show what you want it to show or that your idea or hypothesis may change over time.

I also liked what Jeremy Chetty said about "Mantra and Mindset" and what Dr Marcus Tan said that "De-risking Life" is not always the answer. Sometimes, leaning into the risk can get you further.

I am not sure who said it, but an interesting comment was made " If you want investment, ask for advice, and if you want advice, ask for investment." This is an interesting point. An iteration on this is some time to not ask for either and bootstrap your ideas to fruition, as you're the one that believes in it the most.

My key takeaway is:

"Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says; I'm Possible." If a dancer/actor like Audrey Hepburn can believe this, then our next generation should as well. We need to encourage creativity and ensure the next generation is inventing our future.

Shout out to event lead Dr Eunice Sari for directing. For all the event collaborators and volunteers, what an amazing job you did. To the WA Hubs Creative Tech Village WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH) and CyberWest Hub for working together to make such a fantastic event happen. A big shout out to Michelle Wong for once again advocating for me when I wouldn't necessarily raise my hand. As their is always someone who is more of a guru than I am.

Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation | Department of Health (WA Health) | Thank you to WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub and Michelle Wong for sharing your amazing photos.