The panel will discuss the topic ‘‘Is innovation good for the world?’’ tomorrow, from 5.45pm in the foyer of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Chaired by Dunedin city councillor and broadcaster Damian Newell, the panel will include Southern Partnership Group, Callaghan Innovation and Otago Innovation chairman Pete Hodgson, co-director of New Zealand’s Maori Centre of Research Excellence Prof Jacinta Ruru, Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker and Blis Technologies Ltd chief marketing officer Julie Curphey.
Dunedin Techweek ’18 ambassador Kylie Jackson said the aim of the discussion was to highlight the pros and cons of innovation, and ignite discussion on what
Dunedin and New Zealand needed to best use emerging technologies.
‘‘We are thrilled with the make-up of our panel, as it ensures that the discussion will cover all aspects of the topic, including social issues.’’
Mr Hodgson said ‘‘we also need to remind ourselves that embracing and embedding new technologies is one of the ways our species advances’’.
He paid tribute to the ‘‘astonishing intellectual horsepower’’ of the University of Otago, saying there were many individuals there at the forefront of knowledge in the world.
Mr Hodgson said Dunedin’s GigCity status meant that the ‘‘tyranny of distance’’ could increasingly be overcome through the use of technology.
