Innovation expert leads technology debate at World Islamic Economic Forum

Imperial's Professor David Gann CBE, moderated the main digital tech event at the 9th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) on 30 October.

WIEF took place at the Excel Centre in London.

The event brings together global thought leaders, including the prime ministers of the UK, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan and Bermuda, the presidents of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Kosovo, monarchs from Brunei, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as key mayors like Boris Johnson, scores of central bankers, academics, and some of the world’s top industrialists.

Professor Gann, Imperial’s Vice President (Development & Innovation), led a discussion on ‘Developing global connectivity through digital technology’.

Fellow panellists included Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corporation, Bob Schukai, Global Head of Mobile Technology at Thomson Reuters, and Duncan Clark OBE, Chairman of BDA China.

The group explored how advancements in digital technology and innovation are fostering entrepreneurship, enabling nations to develop rapidly and connecting the world in new ways. They debated questions including: How can cities exploit advances in data science? What are the prospects and opportunities for collaboration between tech clusters around the world? 

Professor Gann, who also chairs the Smart London Board which advises the Mayor of London on technological innovation, used London’s TechCity cluster as an examples of an initiative that successfully stimulates entrepreneurship and development.

He suggested that efforts to harness the capital’s creative energy and technical expertise to address London’s core challenges such as population growth, congestion, ageing infrastructure and reduced energy use, may act as models for other global cities.

Professor David Gann CBE

In science and innovation, as Professor Gann explained, Imperial West, the Imperial’s new research and translation campus in White City, will “create one of Europe’s largest and most forward-looking innovation districts with space to co-locate business with science and digital connectivity to facilitate collaboration with partners around the globe where value will flow from ideas.” In short, Imperial’s unique approach is “innovating the innovation process”.

The other panellists drew on Professor Gann’s explanation of, and vision for, London, to discuss how other regions are harnessing technological advances and heightened global connectivity.

Bob Schukai compared and contrasted London’s TechCity with innovation hubs in countries as diverse as the USA, Mexico and Kenya; Datuk Badlisham Ghazali reported on how Malaysia’s nascent digital economy is driving economic growth; while Duncan Clark showed how China’s current internet boom offers new opportunities for tech clusters.

All panellists discussed how the workforce can adapt and upskill for the digital age. 

Bob Schukai wore his Google Glass, which Professor Gann also put to the test. Their verdict on this particular innovation? "Cool".