Connected Technology: Imperial Women's Network event

Connected technology, the possibilities and enhancements it can bring to society, business and healthcare, was the topic of a recent panel session organised by the Imperial Women's Network.

Technology is evolving and empowering businesses to re-imagine themselves in an increasingly digital world, shaping the future of industry and customer experience, creating faster, impactful and more tailored user experiences, with opportunities in all sectors. 

We heard from a panel of experts on how connected technology is changing the future of the construction, retail, and healthcare sectors:

• Chris Hussey, Sales Side of the Puzzle, Gafon Digital, spoke about the use of digital twins to provide 100% accurate fully contented and fully sensored digital models of buildings and facilities. He demonstrated how the photo realist, interactive model allows you to ask live questions – for example how many hot desks are being used and where? The technology allows designers and planners a greater level of control over energy efficiency, planning, maintenance, design and costing, as well as a useful way-finding tool.
• Gillian Simpson, Retail Customer Experience Lead, Deloitte Digital, discussed impact of the pandemic and how it hasn’t so much changed the face of retail, but accelerated the direction it was already taking in adopting connected technology. “The challenge now is which behaviours will stick, which were temporary and what is the new consumer interested in.” Gillian focused on: pre-purchase, such as digital advertising, virtual shopping experiences, use of augmented reality and loyalty programme; purchase using in store technology, customer apps, frictionless check out and in store analysis of consumer behaviour; post-purchase with subscription services, modern customer service and the metaverse.
• Dr Anita Grigoriadis, Reader in the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, spoke about how connected technology is being used in the diagnosis of breast cancer using machine learning and AI-based approaches, research and software to provide more detailed images, leading to greater understanding of the disease and more accurate diagnosis.

The panel was be chaired by David Shrier, Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation, Imperial College London. He asked the audience to discuss the areas they felt were the key areas of opportunities for connected technology, and the majority felt communication and construction would benefit the most.

You can watch a video of the full recording here.

Imperial Women’s Network

The Imperial Women’s Network is focused on advancing women’s leadership in business. The supportive community aims to provide a space for peer-to-peer professional and personal networking and support for female alumni, and male ‘advocates of diversity’ who have studied at Imperial College London.