Ethical Innovation Matters

The first part of the TeenTech Hampshire Festival launched yesterday with a thought provoking virtual event for students across the region. With a focus on the future of healthcare, young people were challenged to develop their own ideas and experts shared very different perspectives.

Alex Lewis, who was just 33 when he lost four limbs due to sepsis, emphasised the importance of working closely with target communities when designing new solutions. He told us how some enthusiastic university students had built a bike to get him up a mountain in Ethiopia – but they forgot to build in brakes!? They were so focussed on getting him up the mountain but didn’t think how he would get down again!

Helen Sturdy, from NHS England explained that as they have the second largest property portfolio, doing everything possible to reduce their carbon footprint on old and new buildings is critical. She also showed examples of the way young people are directly influencing the design of hospitals.

Dave Baker from Microsoft answered questions from teenagers on the game-changing potential of AI. He emphasised how important it to get the question and the quality of data right so you don’t get deluged with data you don’t want.

We're looking forward to seeing all the innovative ideas developed by young people when they bring them to the festival day on October 11th. and have the opportunity to participate in challenges and experiments with a wide range of organisations from the European Broadcasting Union to Microsoft.

Our TeenTech festivals run with the support of brilliant companies. Thank you especially to Viasat, BAE, Network Rail, Leadamarket, Fujitsu, Stannah, CoolLED and BCS for your generous donations which have made TeenTech Hampshire possible.

Do get in touch if you'd like to be involved in any of our festivals in Sussex, Cardiff, London, Lancashire, Milton Keynes, Cumbria or Leicester.