We live in an ever-growing, ever-changing world. The disruption that COVID-19 brought to economies and societies across Southeast Asia in 2020 accelerated widespread digital adoption and made everyone realise that embracing a digital-first future is necessary for survival.
Yet, many questions remain as we prepare to step into this new digital frontier. How will digital transformation shape our new normal? What does it mean to live in ‘smart’ cities and be part of a ‘smart’ society? How does digitalisation lead to a more sustainable world?
Get ready to explore these questions at the Hitachi Social Innovation Forum (HSIF) 2021 SOUTHEAST ASIA ONLINE on 21 January 2021. Held virtually for the first time in the Southeast Asia region, the free one-day forum is themed ‘Digital Transformation in the New Normal’ and is open to all. It will showcase how, through digitalisation, Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing and Smart Public Services can become a reality.
From 9am (GMT+7) onwards, participants can attend talk sessions hosted by business leaders and subject matter experts. They will also be able to visit over 30 virtual exhibition booths that showcase Hitachi’s solutions and services for the new digital normal.
Welcome addresses by senior executives from Hitachi, including Mr Toshiaki Higashihara, President and CEO, Hitachi, Ltd., Mr Kojin Nakakita, Chairman, Hitachi Asia Ltd., and Mr Takatoshi Sasaki, Managing Director, Hitachi Asia Ltd., will kick off the festivities in the morning and after the lunch recess.
The first of the talk sessions will be led by a panel discussion on ‘Transformation for a New Normal’, featuring Mr Lee Pak Sing, Global Markets Executive Director (Southeast Asia) & Executive Director (Urban Solutions & Infrastructure Services) of Enterprise Singapore, Prof. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Strategic Planning, Innovation and Global Engagement of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr Theo Scherman, Chief Strategy Officer, APAC of Hitachi Asia Ltd. They will explore the challenges, innovations and solutions needed, from individuals to governments, in creating smart cities and industries of the future.
Dr Kazuo Yano will be speaking on Artificial Intelligence, technology and happiness in a Special Talk. Photo credit: Hitachi Asia
This will be followed by a special session by Dr. Kazuo Yano, Fellow of Hitachi, Ltd., and artificial intelligence (AI) expert on ‘Will Technology Make Us Happier?’ The ability to find happiness in a technology-led future is a pertinent question for us as future digital citizens, and Dr. Kazuo will look at how AI can help us achieve greater happiness in our daily lives.
Next, concurrent presentations on Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing and Smart Public Services will cover Hitachi’s vision for a digital world and how its solutions can accelerate its arrival. Presenters will speak about digital quality-of-life services for healthcare, the supply chain, Internet of Things for asset tracking, retail experience, digital manufacturing, safe smart cities and more.
There will also be two regional showcases on power grids and sustainable energy, along with digital water solutions that can help improve its life cycle cost.
The virtual exhibition booths will be open all day long and will display solutions for Smart Cities (digital smart city, smart water solutions etc.), Smart Manufacturing (value chain, robotics etc.), and Smart Public Services (video analytics, intelligent systems, services for financial industries etc.). Visitors will also be able to learn more about the Hitachi Group and its Social Innovation Business.
Registration is free for this event and all are invited to participate. Come discover the digital future with Hitachi at hsifsea.hitachi/.
Programme
