Genetics killed the computer programming star

Genetics killed the computerprogramming star

By Gill Gibbs, executive committee member of EXSA

So what’s happening out there – technology-wise in the industry? It’s happening, genetically. Computer programming is old news.

Ginkgo Bioworks is a genetic programming development shop that has a massive expansion programme in this field of expertise, where the objective is to turn the physical goods industries like clothing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, food, to name a few, into biotech industries.

So how does it work?

Ginkgo looks at DNA sequences the same way that a computer programmer would look at code. The sequences can be compiled, debugged, written and edited, just like code, to achieve the desired genetic sequence. It doesn’t come cheap and it is all about design.

Case in point, Ginkgo has partnered with Bayer to form Joyn Bio, developing environmentally friendly plant seeds – a $100m collaboration that if successful, could save the industry millions, while decreasing pollution.

How does this relate to technology and consumer experiences?

Already back in 2015, a pizza restaurant in San Francisco called Zume started featuring a restaurant kitchen experience where robots, known as ‘pizza bots’, i.e. not humans, flip the pizza bases and their pizza deliveries to their hungry consumers, are delivered by artificially intelligent powered vehicles. This group is now looking into additional revenue opportunities in a non-conventional project called ‘Forward Mobile Kitchen’ transportation. In this case, there is no pizza shop set up – think of it as a ‘Pizza Superbalist’.

It’s an app world

What of AI optimisation? Take a look at Noom, created by behavioural psychologists and specifically designed to achieve a perfect blend of AI optimisation and real human empathy that helps users shed weight and improve their health routines. It’s an app that intrinsically changes your behaviour, not just your diet.

The charts are formulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI), giving your nutrition breakdowns, giving you specific and individual visibility into how you eat and how you should be eating.

Not only does Noom set you on the right path, you are also hooked up with real accountability partners to support you as you make these changes and start following your customtailored health plan.

Event planners, exhibition and event organisers and creative agencies constantly search for new concepts, apps, new ideas and things to say and do for the brands that they serve, that will cut through the noise and make them standout.

They actually have to go beyond this and provide a consistent multi-faceted brand experience through relevant immersive engagement – leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) to craft brand experiences, creating more interactive advertising and enabling consumers to experience products and spaces in novel ways.

Technology surrounds us and shapes us in many ways – in our relationships, businesses and communities, and in how we communicate, collaborate and work. Its impact is only further intensified by artificial intelligence, augmented reality and smart machines.