Against the backdrop of Hong Kong's historic Maritime Museum and iconic Star Ferry, LOUDER Connect 2024 dared to pose a vital question: How can innovation truly serve humanity? As AI advances at breakneck speed and tech companies face increasing scrutiny over privacy and algorithmic bias, the need for responsible innovation has become urgent. On October 23, 2024, these historic venues transformed into dynamic spaces where technology and human purpose intersected to create connection opportunities in unexpected ways.

Written by: Jeremy Chapnick

Photos by: LOUDER Connect

Morning Sessions: Setting the Stage for Change

The morning sessions at LOUDER Connect 2024 framed the urgency and promise of responsible innovation, offering a mix of provocative debates, inspiring panels, and unexpected moments of creativity. These sessions didn't just inform—they energized the room, laying a solid foundation for the rest of the day's deep dives into collaboration, creativity, and actionable solutions for a responsible tech future.

Acting Financial Secretary Mr. Michael Wong and Director General of Invest HK, Ms. Alpha Lau opened the day by highlighting Hong Kong's position as a global hub for responsible tech development, signaling the region's commitment to balancing progress with purpose.

The morning also featured a compelling "AI & I: What is AI Doing to Me?" debate. During the debate, MC Ms. Jacinta Mallis, highlighted the session as particularly impactful. "It highlighted the importance of moving forward with technology and not being afraid of what the future holds," she noted. "Believing in the good of humanity and taking some risks to move forward."

The "AI for Good: Applications in the Health Space" panel, featuring Reliefx.ai co-founder Jessie Li, demonstrated technology's potential in healthcare advancement. This theme of responsible innovation resonated with mentor Alfonso Ballesteros's observation that "tech is becoming increasingly powerful; if not used responsibly, the potential for damage keeps growing."

LOUDER integrated wellness into the tech-focused event through interactive sessions with chiropractors, adding a holistic touch. "It was fun and interactive," shared Jacinta Mallis, "and a perfect reminder to stay active during long workdays." This hands-on approach offered a refreshingly analog solution to a common challenge tech professionals face.

Speaker Rasheed Shroff summed up the morning the best: "Being presented with diverse opinions on divergent topics from AI to sustainability and profit vs. purpose to wellness and entrepreneurship from experts in their fields was just brilliant. There was a level of thought leadership that advanced my understanding of the issues and the nuances involved."

Afternoon Excellence: The Star Ferry Debates

The event's highlight was the signature Radical Debate Pitch™, hosted aboard the Star Ferry. Here, startup founders and college students pitched their ideas to seasoned judges and mentors, exploring a challenging question: "Should Social Impact Be Our First Priority?" The forum created a unique space where innovation could be challenged, celebrated, and refined through the lens of social responsibility. Top presenters earned valuable connections with industry mentors and judges, offering emerging innovators a dynamic platform to showcase their ideas.

From the Judges

The emerging innovators particularly impressed Judge Cécile Lammer, Founder, and CEO of Ceicia: "As a judge, my favorite part was bringing students developing new projects using tech to support the community. I loved listening to their passion and ideas. We have a bright future with the new generations."

Lammer also emphasized the importance of balance in technological advancement: "Use tech as a tool to support us as people. At some point, I feel some new inventions are too AI/Tech oriented, which may challenge the younger generation to stay connected to the real world and what it can offer."

Dr. Marta Dowejko, Assistant Dean (Global Engagement) at HKBU's School of Business, also praised the unique format: "The most exciting challenge was the unpredictable nature of the pitch debate, such as the unexpected interruption of a noisy helicopter." She emphasized that "innovation should be driven by ethical principles and built upon responsibly sourced resources," envisioning "a world where technology is a force for good, solving problems rather than creating new ones."

Charting the Path Forward

The discussions consistently returned to responsible innovation's critical importance. Yamilette articulated the challenge elegantly: "If we don't think about the long-term impact of our innovations, we could find ourselves in a very complex situation where humans are negatively impacted more than positively." Her vision encompasses "a society where positive development and growth are the norm, where humans and technology find a balance and positively enhance each other."

"LOUDER Connect is the platform for diverse groups of speakers, innovators, and attendees to discuss and connect with a similar sentiment: how to innovate responsibly."

As the event concluded, Rasheed Shroff captured its lasting impact: "With all initiatives that are worthy of our time and investment, the journey is the destination." Through creative engagement formats and meaningful dialogue, LOUDER Connect 2024 demonstrated that responsible innovation isn't just an ideal—it's a practical pathway for businesses and entrepreneurs.