News Article

Thinking Digital conference proves a huge success as some of the sharpest minds from the worlds of technology, media, mobile, culture and science wowed an audience of 400 delegates in North East England recently.

The Thinking Digital conference, which took place at the Sage Gateshead on 21-23 May, featured a hugely eclectic line-up of speakers – including a biologist who believes we can actually cure the ageing process, and one of the world's leading inventors.

Highlights of the event, which was organised by digital innovation centre, Codeworks, included:

• The first UK demo of Live Mesh, Microsoft's stunning new product which enables users to connect and synchronise multiple devices (such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, MP3 player, and even a digital photo frame) simultaneously.
• Ray Kurzweil, described as 'the ultimate thinking machine' byForbes magazine, speaking about the technological advances we'll see over the next few years, including massive increases in our life expectancy. Ray spoke at the conference from his office in the US via a state-of-the-art 'Teleportec' teleconferencing system.
• Leading digital artist Jonathan Harris talking about his incredible online art projects, including We Feel Fine, which tracks and charts how millions of people throughout the world are feeling.
• Dan Lyons, a.k.a. famous satirical blogger 'Fake Steve Jobs', recounting the hilarious tale of how he started his blog – which today is read by millions – in secret whilst holding down his day job as Senior Editor at Forbes magazine.

Herb Kim, CEO of organisers Codeworks, said: "We're delighted that the conference proved such a huge success. For the past week we've had dozens of emails and phone calls coming in from delegates and speakers saying how much they enjoyed the event.

"Things look very promising already for next year's event. We firmly believe Thinking Digital is an event that could put North East England well and truly on the map."

Anyone who missed the event can catch the highlights on a special edition of Sky News's 'Technofile' technology programme. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/4abmw9