Pearl Academy Explores the Future of Creative Education at its marquee event What’s Next 2024

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The stage was set, the anticipation truly evident as creatives and innovators from across the globe gathered at the prestigious Taj West End, Bengaluru, on February 16 and 17, 2024. Pearl Academy, in collaboration with CNBC-TV18, orchestrated a symphony of ideas at their flagship event, What's Next 2024.

With the theme of demystifying the future trajectory of Creativity-Technology Convergence, the event presented insightful discussions, thought-provoking keynotes, and collaborative exploration.

Unveiling the Future Trajectory: Demystifying Creativity-Technology Convergence

At the heart of this prestigious event lay a profound exploration of the future. Pearl Academy, a trailblazer in fostering dialogues about the future of creativity and innovation, spearheaded this compelling discourse.

There was a stellar line-up of speakers, including Mr. Biren Ghose, MD Asia Pacific & Global Excom Member- Technicolor Creative; Mr. Alok B. Nandi, - Designer, Creative Director at Architempo, and Author; Mr. Niyam Bhushan, Design Leadership, Google and TEDx Speaker; Moneycontrol journalists were not involved in the creation of the article., Founder of Authentic Design, Chair-elect of Industrial Designers Society of America, and Founding Advisor of the Global Impact Collective; Mr. Nikhil Malhotra, Chief Innovation Officer, Tech Mahindra, Dr. Sharad Mehra, President, Creative Arts Education Society (CAES), and Ms. Aditi Srivastava, President, Pearl Academy.

Exploring Themes, Unleashing Potential

The event was structured around four overarching themes, each delving into distinct facets of the creativity-technology nexus:

1. Emerging Realities: The Re-Evolution of Creativity through Technology

2. Pixels and Passion: Crafting Aesthetics in Digital Realms

3. Boundless Expression: The Techno-Creative Intersections

4. Reimagining Education: Designing the Future of Creative Learning Snippets From Keynotes:

Spanning diverse themes, from emerging technologies to environmental concerns, the speakers covered a wide range of issues impacting the creative education landscape.

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Mr. Surya Vanka, Founder of Authentic Design, Chair-elect of the Industrial Designers Society of America, and Founding Advisor of the Global Impact Collective, shared his ideas about reimagining education. He shed light on the three factors that will impact the future of creative learning – technology of intelligence, collective imagination, and inclusion. He stressed the need to move beyond a traditional learning approach and embrace a dynamic and flexible framework that integrates technology, design thinking, and ethical leadership.
Additionally, he highlighted LinkedIn's latest report, where adaptability was mentioned as the top skill to possess for the future.

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Mr. Niyam Bhushan, Design Leadership, Google and TEDx Speaker, described himself as a “definite optimist” and urged the audience to have a simple goal towards success, where they have a definite idea of a better future and the initiatives they will take to make it a reality.

He further shared his vision of designing a healthy, wealthy, and happy world through privacy. Furthermore, Niyam raised a concern about how a majority of people don't read the privacy policy before signing up on websites or apps. Additionally, he pointed out the actual value of design and how it's built relying on data.

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Biren Ghose, Country Head, Technicolor Creative Studios, emphasised the significance of embracing change, highlighting the discomfort of being stuck in a stagnant state and the importance of envisioning and actively pursuing change.

Throughout his address, Ghose emphasised the indispensable role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in enhancing creative processes. He discussed the evolution of AI applications in enhancing image quality, reducing noise, and optimising visual elements, underscoring its potential as an enabler, rather than a threat.

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Mr. Alok B. Nandi, Designer and Creative Director, began by challenging the perception of design, urging the audience to ponder on the broader implications of their creative endeavours. He raised crucial questions about the localisation of innovation, emphasising the importance of understanding the Indian context in a global landscape dominated by Silicon Valley narratives.

Shedding light on the transformative power of technology in shaping our visual experiences, he stressed the importance of historical knowledge, particularly in the realm of design, to foster a deeper understanding of one’s creative heritage.

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Mr. Nikhil Malhotra, the Chief Innovation Officer, Tech Mahindra, shed light on the critical role of fundamental technology in shaping the future, emphasising the importance of collaboration between academia, corporations, and governments.

Delving into future trends, he touched upon the rise of AI investment and the convergence of quantum computing with machine learning. He also announced that Tech Mahindra will be establishing Maker's Labs at Pearl Academy.

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Dr. Sharad Mehra, President of the Creative Arts Education Society (CAES), shared insights into the collaborative journey that led to the creation of What’s Next platform aimed at deciphering the convergence of creativity and technology.

Dr. Mehra emphasised the pivotal role of industry insights in shaping educational frameworks. Through poignant examples like South Africa's stark wealth disparity and its ramifications on societal stability, Dr. Mehra further illuminated the precarious balance between economic equity and social order.

Transitioning to the realm of technology, Dr. Mehra explored the transformative potential of AI, forecasting its pervasive impact across industries, including the creative sector.

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Addressing the audience as “visionaries of tomorrow”, Ms. Aditi Srivastava, President of Pearl Academy, expressed gratitude to the attendees for actively involving themselves in shaping the future of creative expression, highlighting the event as a beacon of knowledge that pushes the boundaries of conventional creativity.

She also shared highlights of Pearl Academy’s journey in nurturing “complete creative professionals” who transcend classroom boundaries to impact communities profoundly. With a focus on global exposure, tech expertise, industry-ready competencies and life skills, Pearl Academy has been empowering students to be leaders in various creative domains.

World Cafe Sessions: A Space for Collaborative Dialogue

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The innovative World Cafe format facilitated meaningful interactions among attendees, encouraging diverse perspectives and actionable insights. Tables were thoughtfully configured around three themes: Pixels and Passion, Boundless Expression, and Reimagining Education. These sessions provided a platform for attendees to challenge assumptions, generate new ideas, and contribute to shaping the future of creative expression.

Panel Discussions: Synthesising Insights

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The culmination of the World Cafe sessions led to enriching panel discussions, where representatives from each table shared distilled wisdom, highlights, and key takeaways.

The sessions were moderated by Pearl Academy’s academic leaders – Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar, Dean Emeritus, Product Design; Prof. Arun Kumar Bharadwaj, Dean, Product Design and Foundation; and Prof. Meha Jayaswal, Associate Dean, Fashion Communication. The panel discussions in PechaKucha format allowed the participants to engage in collaborative dialogues and share insights on the next wave of innovations poised to reshape industries and societies.

These discussions not only summarised individual table discussions but also identified emerging themes spanning across multiple perspectives. From the intricate relationship between visual aesthetics and user experiences to the transformative impact of technology on design education, the panel discussions offered a holistic overview of the dynamic conversations.

Conclusion: Shaping Tomorrow Together

What's Next 2024 stood as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and human ingenuity. Through dynamic discussions, thought-provoking insights, and collaborative dialogues, attendees embarked on a journey to craft tomorrow through creativity and technology.

As they departed from the event, they carried with them not only newfound knowledge but also a shared commitment to shaping the future landscape of creativity-technology convergence.

For more information about What's Next 2024, please visit Pearl Academy.

Moneycontrol journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.