The opening day of Newconomics 2023 in Lisbon saw a range of innovative ideas, combining the latest technology with a strong focus on mental health, inclusivity and the fast-growing world of Web3.
Leaders and pioneers from various sectors provided deep insights into how the digital landscape is shaping the future of society and business. Here’s a more detailed look at some of the day’s most insightful discussions.
Mental health meets AI
A major theme at the intersection of mental health and technology was initiated by the introduction of the Mentor360 app by tech entrepreneur Richard Bassett. This innovative app highlights the escalating role of technology in supporting mental health. Whitespace’s Paul Jenkinson expanded on this discussion and asked a thought-provoking question about the potential roles of AI:
“ChatGPT is not a clinical psychologist, but can we train this?”
This exploration of AI’s potential in replicating or even augmenting human-like support in mental health care opens a new avenue of technology-human synergy.
Leadership and human value
In a powerful reminder of the human element of leadership, Jason Fox of SAS emphasized the integral role of empathy and trust:
“Like it or not, as a leader or entrepreneur, your people are your greatest asset… and you must invest in them, have empathy, trust them and be loyal.”
His words resonate in a world where technology often overshadows human interactions, underscoring the importance of human connection in the digital age.
The transformative role of AI
Paul Jenkinson and Richard Basset both highlighted the transformative power of AI in creating personalized experiences.
Jenkinson’s statement: “AI has the power to create, learn and improve personalized experiences. It has transformative power,” was complemented by Basset’s focus on AI’s role in making clinical support more accessible, moving towards a future where help is at our fingertips.
Empowering women in Web3
Her call to “discourage careers in web3” for women and provide compelling reasons for their long-term involvement in this sector sheds light on the gender gap in the tech industry. Similarly, Ericka Wykes-Sneyd of Adidas Studio Web3 highlighted the crucial need for inclusivity in this emerging field.
Web3 Adoption: Improving Lives
Lunar Strategy’s Tim Haldorsson brought a user-centric perspective to Web3 adoption, emphasizing that its widespread adoption depends on its ability to improve the lives of everyday people.
Walkers’ Sara Hall, on the other hand, addressed the international aspect, pointing out that regulatory uncertainties are a significant barrier to Web3’s global progress.
Rethinking fandom in the Web3 era
The evolving nature of fan communities in the Web3 era was eloquently discussed by James Kirkham and Maxime Sebti. Kirkham’s insights into the changing dynamics of fandom post-pandemic and Web3’s potential to foster closer connections between fans and their idols offer a glimpse into a more interactive future.
Sebti echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of simple, authentic interactions as the foundation for future monetization strategies.
The future of advertising with AI
Chris Evenden of AI-powered advertising platform Rief touched on a revolutionary concept in advertising, where AI’s ability to create new opportunities from scratch could redefine the industry.
This innovative approach could usher in a new era of targeted and effective advertising strategies.
CEX + DEX = MEX
Cyrus Fazel, CEO of SwissBorg, took the stage to explain how SwissBorg became a meta-exchange (MEX), which combines the best parts of centralized and decentralized exchanges, such as fiat on- and off-ramps and self-custody. Fazel also noted that SwissBorg has surpassed 700,000 users trading crypto across 17 fiat currencies.
Commitment and loyalty in Web3
Sebastien Borget’s impressive statistics on user engagement in The Sandbox and Phillip Weiling’s insights on loyalty programs in Web3 illustrated the growing importance of user engagement and brand loyalty in the digital landscape.
These insights provide valuable lessons for companies looking to thrive in the Web3 ecosystem. Borget highlighted the amount of time users spend on Sandbox:
“Users spend 62 minutes a day in The Sandbox, which isn’t a number you’ll easily find on social media”
Bridging the gap: Web2 in a Web3 world
Google Cloud’s Sam Weeks rounded out the day with practical advice for traditional Web2 companies looking to find their place in the Web3 world. Weeks said:
“The best way we can help you right now is through the Google for Startups program for Web3.”
The emphasis on Google’s initiatives for startups in Web3 underlines the tech giant’s commitment to bridging the gap between the established and emerging digital worlds.
The first day of Newconomics 2023 has set a precedent for thought-provoking discussions, combining people-centered leadership, technological advancements and the inclusive future of Web3. The event remains a beacon for those at the forefront of digital transformation.
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