SXSWorld
Issue link: https://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/250660
"Technology to Humanity": Adam Savage and IEEE Accept the Challenge by Bill Simmon M ost SXSW Interactive conference goers are likely to be familiar with The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This organization develops electronics standards and is responsible for establishing, among others, the 802.11 wireless network standard and the IEEE 1394 serial bus standard, commonly known as "Firewire." But people may not know that IEEE is also a nonprofit advocacy organization with a long and illustrious history: telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell was president of one of its founding organizations in the 1890s. In this capacity, IEEE's mission is to promote and advance innovations in technology "for the benefit of humanity." The organization achieves this goal in part by organizing events and participating in conferences like SXSW. 2014 is the third year that IEEE has programmed content at the SXSW Interactive Festival, and this year's Technology for Humanity speaker series boasts no fewer than 16 presentations, including a keynote address by Adam Savage, host of the Discovery Channel's MythBusters program. Savage says his keynote will delve into the intersection of art and science. "We are culturally raised to believe that science is the opposite of art," he says, adding that art is seen as being open and expressive while science is often viewed as an expressionless discipline open only to a specialized, educated class. "This is a gross misunderstanding of both fields," he explains, pointing out that during the Age of Enlightenment, art and science were inextricably linked, best exemplified by Leonardo Da Vinci. Savage says that society would benefit from being reminded that "art can be just as rigorous as science, and science can be just as creative as art." Also presenting as part of the Technology for Humanity series is inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, who is known for such innovations as the Segway and medical technologies such as a drug infusion pump and an all-terrain wheelchair. Kamen will present on behalf of the organization he helped found, FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which is probably bestknown for promoting scholastic robotics competitions. Mary Ward-Callan, IEEE's Managing Director of Technical Activities, says she is excited about Kamen's talk. "Dean himself is a master inventor who started early in his life," she says. "Today, his FIRST® programs are teaching global youth critical skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), collaboration and team- work." Kamen will also participate in a FIRST® Meetup at SXSW with FIRST® team members and coaches. Ward-Callan says that the speaker series reflects IEEE's mission. "These are individuals who dare us to think more creatively, change our perceptions and find new ways of solving challenges," she says, and adds that SXSW is a good fit for IEEE because the organization seeks to build relationships with the sorts of people who attend. She lists developers, designers, entrepreneurs, writers and educators among the groups from which IEEE is seeking participation. "IEEE is the place for technology professionals at any age, gender or career stage," she says. Women technologists, in particular, are being highlighted in the Technology for Humanity series. In addition to two female solo speakers, IEEE is also hosting two panels comprised exclusively of female technology leaders. WardAdam Savage Callan says IEEE is proud to offer a diverse range of experts. "A strong female presence is still uncommon at technology conferences," she says. IEEE is also collaborating with Women Innovate Mobile to host a Women in Technology Meetup during the conference. Asked if there was a prize for attendees who participate in all 16 IEEE events, Ward-Callan jokes that she hopes the prize will be exposure to world-changing leaders, but adds that there is a fun party to go to as well, featuring Two Bit Circus' interactive STEAM Carnival. Based in Los Angeles, Two Bit Circus describes the STEAM Carnival as "the carnival reimagined with robots, fire and lasers," and it is meant to inspire young inventors in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math — or "STEAM." Other events in the Technology for Humanity series will include six sessions on robotics, a dialogue on how we will feed 10 billion people, and a look at how information and communication technology infrastructure expansion in Africa is driving the next wave of the technology revolution. 2014 will be Savage's first time at SXSW, and he sees his presentation as a natural fit with both IEEE and the Interactive conference. "I'm crazy-excited to be coming to SXSW," he says. "That I'm coming with a partner as committed to innovation and wonder as IEEE seems like a perfect fit – a match made in heaven." n "These are individuals who dare us to think more creatively, change our perceptions and find new ways of solving challenges." 14 SXSWORLD / FEBRUARY 2014 Adam Savage will be the Keynote speaker at SXSW Interactive on Monday, March 10 at 2pm. For more information on SXSW Interactive speakers and sessions, stay tuned to sxsw.com/interactive.