What could be a better and more innovative way to wrap up this year than taking a glimpse into the future of innovation?

The MIT Media Lab Southeast Asia Forum, co-hosted by KBTG and Bangkok Bank, in collaboration with True Corporation, the MIT Alumni Association in Thailand, MQDC and more would change the way you look at technology and the future world.

This 3-day event, aside from showcasing the latest breakthrough in science, airspace, healthcare or an update on the crypto world, truly spoke to all of us about the challenges (the ‘elephant’) that we are facing in the world and what we can do to better our wellness as well as the connection with the nature with the use of technology.

Beyond the Elephant in the Room

Addressing “the Elephant,” or humanity’s greatest challenges that are often ignored, the event will focus on contemporary technology and the envisioned future that can bring about emerging technologies like Extended Intelligence (AI), Hybrid Realities (Xverse), Augmented Creativity, Cyborg Health, Smart Materials, Digital Currency, Space Exploration, and Sustainability.

The 3-day event was held from 19-21 December, 2022 at True Digital Park West Buildingand K+ Building (by KBTG).

Day 1: Unlocking Possibilities

On the first day, the sessions were about new technologies being brought to the table in order for humanity to utilize and use them for a better future. There were 4 sessions followed by a panel discussion from each key speaker. 

X-Verse: Being Digital + Digital Beings

This session mainly focuses on how digital instruments can enhance our living and better our understanding of today’s world. 

Key Speakers: 

• Pat Pataranutaporn, MIT Media Lab & KBTG Fellow
• Prof. Hiroshi Ishii, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Joseph Paradiso, MIT Media Lab

Creativity Across Scales: Co-Creating Communities of Possibilities

Explore how creativity can be implemented into making instruments that enhance our community as a whole.

Key Speakers: 

• Prof. Mitch Resnick, MIT Media Lab 
• Ziv Epstein, PhD Candidate, MIT Media Lab

Cyborg Health: From Dream Engineering to Nano-Robotics

With growing health concerns, technology plays a big role in early diagnosis and eventually finds the best care for patients with both physical and mental health.

Key Speakers:

• Prof. Pattie Maes, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Deblina Sarkar, MIT Media Lab 
• Pat Pataranutaporn, MIT Media Lab & KBTG Fellow

Defying Gravity: From Space Exploration to Democratization

Navigating through outer space, the session is directed on a sole idea of space exploration and how it affects our loving planet. 

Key Speakers:

• Prof. Dava Newman, MIT Media Lab 
• Irmandy Wicaksono, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Danielle Wood, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Joseph Paradiso, MIT Media Lab 

 Day 2: Endless Possibilities

After unlocking the possibilities, day two is all about showcasing the masterpieces, from sharing innovative ideas and giving out constructive suggestions to our fast-paced technological world, to how it can eventually combine with the human and natural world.

We started off with an immaculate dance performance of ‘Tapis Magique’ by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company in collaboration with Irmandy Wicaksono. ‘Tapis Magique’ or the magic carpet is a pressure-sensitive, knitted electronic textile carpet that generates 3D sensor data based on body postures and gestures.

After the show, the governor of Bangkok, Dr. Chadchart Sittipunt, made significant remarks highlighting human potential and trust among people, leading up to today’s 4 sessions.

E-Topia: Sustaining Cities with Smart Technologies

With the increase in carbon footprint, we need to find ways in which we can live more energy-friendly and sustainably. The highlights were sustainable urban planning, using satellites to better manage resources and smart application that helps track upcoming disasters.

Key Speakers: 

• Dr. Luis Alonso, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Danielle Wood, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Dava Newman, MIT Media Lab
• Krit Jitjang: President, KASIKORNBANK 
• Rubén Lozano Aguilera: Senior Product Manager, Google Maps

Interest of Values: Digital Currency, Web3 and Trustworthy Network

See how the Internet world has been and is at the moment, including how we can optimize it to ease our living conditions and privacy concerns.

Key Speakers: 

• Guy Zyskind, MIT Media Lab 
• Dr. Luis Alonso, MIT Media Lab 
• Ziv Epstein, MIT Media Lab
• Kasidit Tansanguan, Director, Digital Currency Team, Corporate Strategy and Planning Group, Bank of Thailand

Extended Mind: From Artificial Intelligence to Intelligence Amplification

Let’s explore more about what AI can enhance our well-being, and , therefore, what we can do as a preparation for the growing capacity in AI.

Key Speakers: 

• Prof. Pattie Maes, MIT Media Lab 
• Prof. Deblina Sarkar, MIT Media Lab 
• Guy Zyskind, MIT Media Lab

Material Alchemist : Bits, Atoms, Magic

Take a look at scientific works that were inspired by the passion in materials, such as textiles, biocement and radical atoms.

Key Speakers: 

• Prof. Hiroshi Ishii, MIT Media Lab 
• Irmandy Wicaksono, MIT Media Lab
• Dr. David Kong, MIT Media Lab

Day 3 : The CXO Forum

To sum up the 3-day event, day 3 focused on deep-dive discussions of topics from the previous 2 days. Each session was 2 hours long set in an intimate setting. 

This event would not have been possible without our co-host KBTG and Bangkok Bank in collaboration with our core sponsors: True Corporation, the MIT Alumni Association and MQDC. This is an opportunity that is rare to come by, but will surely leave a lasting impression on all attendees and our future together.