Bursys sent all Houston-based sales and marketing employees to d5 OTC this year as a result of increased levels of development in technology projects for the offshore industries. As our portfolio continues to grow and expand the need for sales and marketing teams to effectively communicate our skill sets has become apparent, OTC involvement has assisted with networking events, panel discussions as well as general conference activities.
D5 or Day 5 offered for the second year, as an additional event to OTC by the OTC Committee at Rice University is a thought leadership event meant to inspire innovation and collaboration in the energy sector. d5 OTC, Offshore Technology Conference is the largest conference of its kind held annually in Houston. Thursday at noon the conference begins to close down, however many who have traveled overseas remain in Houston for the following weekend.
Marketed as additional networking, I found the experience to be more informative and informational than a networking opportunity. However, the experience wasn’t lost as the speakers did provide insight into the direction of technologies and citing the many examples of how innovation is driving down the cost of many services, and the potential meaning this has on our current economy.
Sensor and robotics technologies are driving changes in the manufacturing and medical industries. Advancements in robotics has driven manufacturing costs down enough in the states, making it cheaper to produce some goods here in America rather than in China. Sensor technologies have changed computing abilities that will transform the medical industry. Most impressive was the example given of the “Swasthya Slate” a device that can run 33 medical diagnostic tests from tablets or phones, ranging from pregnancy tests to an ECG.
But what impact do these technologies have on the energy sector? The price of oil and gas? Those answers weren’t given. The redirect was that technology is advancing so rapidly, whatever is left behind…will stay behind.
Another great question that was asked, with all of these technological advancements, what is the work that will be left to do? Beyond creating more technology, the possibility of creation in the arts, in design may be what’s left for us to pursue when machines take over the planet. And then there was the admission that none of us really know how all of the advancements will impact our work lives.
D5 was not the ending to OTC that I had expected, but I found it challenging to consider that the global economy is upon us and technology is zooming us forward into a new reality. What I found to be most inspring are the energy companies who are fostering cultures of innovation despite the economic downturn. Some continue to challenge their groups to create new possibilities for innovation and reduce the cost and impact energy has on the environment.