MIT brings EmTech to Singapore

SINGAPORE – The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review Magazine, the world’s most respected technology publication founded in 1899, is bringing its famous EmTech event to Singapore, 20-21 January 2014.

EmTech is a showcase for emerging technologies with the greatest potential to change our lives. The event is also an access point to the most innovative people and companies in the world. "At MIT Technology Review we firmly believe that technology can solve big problems, increase productivity and expand human possibility," Jason Pontin, editor in chief and publisher, MIT Technology Review.

Designed to inspire — EmTech is an opportunity to glimpse the future and begin to understand the technologies that matter and how they’ll change the face of business and drive the new global economy. “We’re at the beginning of the most rapid transformation ever seen by technology,” added Mr Pontin.

Kathleen Kennedy, chief strategy officer for MIT Technology Review said that the reason Singapore was chosen as the location for the first Southeast Asian edition of EmTech is that "Emtech is all about commercialization of new technologies. With a consistently high Innovation Index, Singapore is an essential destination for this conference. It has both the industry and scientific talent needed for success."

Presented in a rapid fire, TED-like conference format, 30 speakers will present topics including Big Data, High Density Urbanization, Emerging Technologies in Healthcare, 3D Printing & Future Manufacturing as well as Synthetic Biology. The speakers, who represent industry and academics, at EmTech Singapore include:

Jeff Hammerbacher, founder & chief scientist, Cloudera 

Mitchell Higashi, chief economist, GE Healthcare

Jason Pontin, editor in chief and publisher, MIT Technology Review

Skylar Tibbits, TED senior fellow, director, Self-Assembly Lab, MIT; founder & principal, SJET LLC

Dr Homi Bhedwar, technology director – South Asia & ASEAN, DuPont

Halle Tecco, founder & CEO, Rock Health

Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, IPG Product Group, Autodesk

Salah Sukkarieh, director of Research and Innovation, Australian Centre for Field Robotics<Nike