Jon Follett

Recent Posts

A Path Towards Standardized Health

31.May.18
by Jon Follett

By Bryson Wong and Jon Follett
with Juhan Sonin and Edwin Choi

The great promise of electronic health records (EHR) is one of improved care through increased communication and care coordination between providers and patients. Yet, despite the legislative push for meaningful use in 2009 and accompanying financial incentives, nearly a decade later, EHR solutions remain immature and not fully realized. The good news is that over 85% of hospitals have implemented an electronic medical record system. However, a number of factors—including extensive data entry, incomplete records, and a lack of standards for communication between systems—have limited the impact and in some cases made aspects of care, like patient doctor interaction, even worse. So, how can we get closer to that elusive promise of improved care, access, and digital service? For the Office of National Coordination for Health Information Technology (ONC), standardization is one of the top priorities: This focus highlights the critical, yet neglected role that standardization plays in healthcare.

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Exploring the Hidden Music

25.May.18
by Jon Follett
 
This week on The Digital Life, our special guest is Christopher Janney, a pioneer in the field of sound art, merging architecture, sound, light, and interactive technology. For over 30 years, Janney has been blending music and light with the physical space in unexpected ways, including public art installations like Soundstair, which can be viewed at the Boston Museum of Science, and the playful Rainbow Cove at Logan Airport. Janney famously worked with Mikhail Baryshnikov on "Heartbeat:mb", which used a medical sensor to monitor Baryshnikov's heartbeat to provide the rhythmic music to his dancing. Janney is bringing his show, “Exploring the Hidden Music”, to the Boston University Dance Theater on Friday, June 8th at 8 pm. Join us as we discuss art at the intersection of music, architecture, and technology.
 
 


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Topics: Podcast

Designing Creative Culture

22.Mar.18
by Jon Follett
This week on The Digital Life, for our 250th episode, we discuss designing a creative culture with guest Juhan Sonin, director of our studio, GoInvo.
 
Many companies try to create a design-centered culture in order to drive innovation but fall flat. We talk about some of our studio tenets and approaches that have worked. In particular we dig into the concept of transparency: seeking to tell the truth to others, both within an without an organization, with the intention of doing the most possible good. We also explore the concept of continuous learning, as we are curious, open creators, who welcome new ideas and the input of others. Join us as we discuss!


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Topics: Podcast

Net Neutrality

02.Mar.18
by Jon Follett
This week on The Digital Life, we chat about net neutrality, the digital divide, and fast, cheap Internet for all with guest Brough Turner, Founder of netBlazr.
 
What is net neutrality and why is it important? And why should it matter to the average consumer? Often, access to the Internet is controlled by only a few providers in a given geographic area. Given this near monopoly in many regions of the country, the idea of net neutrality, or the idea that ISPs should enable access to all content regardless of source, without showing favor to or blocking particular sites, is rooted in an egalitarian view of online information and service distribution. Join us as we discuss.
 
 


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Topics: Podcast

Creativity and the Future of Work

26.Jan.18
by Jon Follett
This week on The Digital Life, we chat about design and creative professionals and what the future of work might look like for them. Our special guest on the show is Daniel Harvey, Head of Product Design and Brand at The Dots, a professional network for “no collar'” professionals.
 
Alongside with the immense power and flexibility that technology can bring, comes an evolution in, not only how we get creative work done, but also why we do it. Values and behaviors are changing among job seekers in creative industries. We see some of this, for example, in the growing emphasis on project work, rather than on continuous employment. Further, with such powerful emerging technologies as AI, will it be possible, eventually, to automate creativity? And if this is the case, will people be able to accept that technology driven output as creative? How will designers and other creative professionals survive and thrive in this environment? It's critical that we design roles and organizations that make the most of people, while leveraging technology. And, that we properly educate the next generation of designers so they can thrive and compete in the future. Join us as we discuss.
 
Resources:
The Dots


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Cyber Policy and Cyber War

19.Jan.18
by Jon Follett

This week on The Digital Life, we chat about international law and cyber war. According to a World Economic Forum article, over 30 governments have acknowledged that they have offensive cyber capabilities including: espionage and spying; sabotage including denial-of-service attacks and attacks on the power grid; and, perhaps the most talked about recently, propaganda. The difficulties of developing policy to regulate and respond to emerging technology like these cyber war capabilities highlights the problems of working within interlocking, complex systems of governmental and political process, meant for a previous era, that are now subject to rapid changes. And managing policy within the areas of fast moving emerging technologies—from software to genomics to robotics—will only get more difficult. What is the right way, or is there even a right way for governments and societies to respond to this need for laws and regs? Join us as we discuss.

Resources:
Why we urgently need a Digital Geneva Convention


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Emerging Tech at CES 2018

12.Jan.18
by Jon Follett

This week on The Digital Life, we chat about all the new technology fun as CES 2018, the de facto emerging tech showcase, gets going in Las Vegas.

The smart home battleground is heating up as AI virtual assistants, like Google and Amazon Alexa, are being built into everyday household items and appliances. For instance, the bathroom is fast becoming a smartroom with Alexa incorporated into products like Kohler's new mirror, which can personalize light levels for different tasks, and Moen's digital shower technology, that enables users to set a specific water temperature. Connecting the digital to the physical is a big theme for CES this year, as AI is rolled out for a bevy of products and services. Join us as we discuss all this and more.

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The Whiskey Algorithm

09.Jan.18
by Jon Follett

On this episode of The Digital Life, we chat about science, emerging technology and whiskey with Sammy Karachi from Relativity Whiskey.

American craft whiskey is having a big moment and, more and more, innovation in science and technology is changing how whiskey is being made. In particular, Relativity Whiskey, uses a special, data-driven, maturation technology to age the spirit more quickly, saving years of time in the process. How will software and algorithms shape the whiskey creation process in the future? Join us as we discuss.

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Tech Predictions for 2018

21.Dec.17
by Jon Follett

On this episode of The Digital Life, we wrap up the year with some emerging tech predictions for 2018. We discuss the expansion of AI services in significant ways, automated trucks on the road, Target's online struggles, Amazon's difficulties in exploiting niche businesses, and the streaming services war as Disney prepares to take on Netflix among other topics.

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The Best Episodes of 2017

15.Dec.17
by Jon Follett

On this episode of The Digital Life, we take a look back on the best episodes and interviews of the year, spanning topics as varied as ethics, bioinspired design and music. In episode 199, we discussed avoiding biases when it comes to artificial intelligence with Tomer Perry, research associate at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. In episode 213, we explored designing bioinspired products with Nic Hogan, a computational designer focused on the creation of design and fabrication techniques that emulate or implement biological processes. We discussed artificial intelligence and music, in episode 223 with Pierre Barreau, CEO of Aiva, an AI composer that has created music used in the soundtracks for films, advertising, and games. And finally in episode 232, we chatted with designer and futurist Karen Kaushansky about creating new user experiences and interfaces for emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles.

Resources:
Episode 199: Ethics and Bias in AI
Episode 213: Bioinspired Product Design
Episode 223: AI and Music
Episode 232: Designing New Experiences

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Topics: Podcast