3 Key Insights from Conversations on Health and Innovation with Brazil's Changemakers
Closing Keynote for the Health and Innovation summit at Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Connecting with people about their visions of the future—all around the world—is perhaps the best part of the work that I do. At the HSM Expo 2021 in São Paulo, Brazil, I had the chance to do just that. And in person!
Like many countries around the world, Brazil faces daunting challenges around technology, the environment, and society. But I believe that Brazilians bring an exciting spark to the world as they rise to these challenges. Each time that I visit this country, I’m struck by the diversity, creativity, and vision of Brazilians across industries and walks of life.
Here are three big takeaways from my experience with the HSM Expo 2021 and Singularity University Brazil:
When we learn from the past, we build better for the future.
Brazil was hit terribly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. I was honored to meet business leaders who rapidly updated their supply chains, business models, and long-term goals to help transform one of the greatest threats of the last century into an unprecedented opportunity for change. I view this pandemic as a dress rehearsal for humanity coming together to tackle the existential threat of climate change. I was delighted to meet many Brazilians who share that point of view. They’re dedicated to learning hard lessons today in order to set the stage for a better tomorrow.
Leapfrogging can take us to unexpected places.
William Gibson famously said, “The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed.” In Brazil, I see that uneven distribution as a launching pad to spur local solutions to potentially global problems. Over and over, Brazilians expressed concern to me about a future in which the wealthy achieve abundance and everyone else is left behind—or even worse off than they have been in the last decade. Together we agreed that mindset and leadership are key to building a future for Brazil that positively impacts as many people as possible around the country. For that to happen, we need strong government, strong science and technology development, and strong communities. The choices that we make matter.
Brazil is poised to embrace a radically different future of health.
The changemakers that I met were excited to explore convergent technologies and mindsets for empowering Brazilians to live healthier, happier, longer lives. I was particularly excited to learn about a new medical curriculum at Inspirali Educação that integrates technology and its impacts from day one of medical school. At a breakfast session with healthcare leaders, we explored just a few of the conundrums that technology brings to health and medicine along with its benefits. We agreed that global conversations need to combine with local contexts to ensure that we keep people at the center of technology development. And I was absolutely delighted to meet three young medical students—all women!—who are starting their journeys into this new future of true healthcare.
Exponential technologies are driving innovation in the health industry, for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. | Photo credits: HSM (via LinkedIn).
Overall, I believe that the Global South has the potential to make powerhouse contributions to solving humanity’s greatest challenges. When we encounter a diversity of technologies, markets, regulatory strategies, and mindsets, we have the opportunity to unlock new futures. Community is key because the road to these positive futures will not be smooth. At HSM Expo 2021, I was reminded that there are many people, all around the world, who share a common vision—and are contributing exciting insights and innovations to the conversation. I’m honored to be part of this community of changemakers!
Bonus Insight 4: I have got to learn some Portuguese!
About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and ways to collaborate, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
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After a 19-day voyage to Antarctica aboard The Island Sky in November 2023, Tiffany has many remarkable stories to share & a wealth of insights to catalyze a sustainable future.
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