BIG POTATOES

Friday 13 May, 2016 6:15 for a 6:30 pm start, finishing at 20:30 DigitasLBI, Atlantis Building, Truman Brewery, 146 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU [Map] Introduction This is a snap discussion – one week after the appointment of the new Mayor – and the first of a series of activities. We will be discussing: Visions […]

Monday 18 January, 2016 6:30 for a 7:00 pm start, finishing at 21:00 DigitasLBI, Atlantis Building, Truman Brewery, 146 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU [Map] DCMS Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey is seeking ideas from public and industry on the UK’s digital strategy. The 2009 Digital Britain consultation galvanised many people working in digital technologies […]

James Woudhuysen is speaking in the ‘Future of Innovation’ event organised by KTN Ltd as part of The Disruptive Innovation Festival. James will be debating circular business models with Mat Hunter of the Central Research Laboratory (formerly Chief Design Officer at the Design Council). Other debates are on manufacturing and social and environmental challenges, and […]

As part of its Intelligent Machines series of broadcasts and initiatives, last night the BBC broadcast an edition of #BBCPanorama entitled ‘Could A Robot Do My Job?‘, presented by former Downing Street tech economy adviser, entrepreneur, and svengali Rohan Silva. The theme of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and employment has come to the fore in […]

Tuesday 28 July, 2015 6:30 for a 7:00 pm start, finishing at 20:45 De Santis 11-13 Old Street (near junction with Goswell Road) London EC1V 9HL [Map] Image © mindscanner [Source: Shutterstock] Introduction Britain has a productivity problem. Its relative standing in the international league tables has been in decline since the 1870s — when it was in pole […]

Nico Macdonald will be hosting a discussion with academic Alison Hulme about her new book ‘On the Commodity Trail’.  The event takes place on Friday 13 March at 18:30 in central London, at new UK-based crowdfunding platform and hub CrowdShed:  The Shed, 18 Hanway Street London W1T 1UF  How to find The Shed Hulme is […]

The debate on automation and robotics has come to the fore again – after first being aired in the 1970s – this time based on the developments in digital and network technologies, and pioneering work at institutions such as Imperial College London. Agile robots were one of the 10 New Breakthrough Technologies of 2014 according […]

Big Potatoes has been commissioned by Nesta to write a research paper on the future of transport, probing the current dynamics of innovation in the UK, and recommending how to improve them. Our short proposal follows. This is intended to be a quick, responsive report: short, informed, with strong opinions on key talking points, with […]

Monday 2 December, 2013 6:30 for a 7:00 pm start De Santis 11-13 Old Street (near junction with Goswell Road) London EC1V 9HL [Map] Introduction We are currently doing some research for Nesta on the future of transport, that will lead to a publication, including analysis and recommendations, in the Spring. We would value your input into […]

On 8 October we are organising a group visit to The Future Is Here exhibition at the Design Museum on the evening of Tuesday 8 October, and to the Design Museum debate Is The Future Here? with Mat Hunter, Chris Wise and Phil Smith, and moderated by Daniel Charny, later that evening. (We hope this […]