MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Future-proofing the digital workforce takes center stage when Steven Johnson, Co-creator of NotebookLM and Editorial Director of Google Labs, delivers a keynote address at the ninth edition of the Digital Congress (DigiCon) on October 15 to 16, 2024, in Newport City, Metro Manila.
The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the country’s center of excellence and innovation in digital marketing, has announced that Johnson will headline the first day of this two-day conference. His keynote is expected to provide the 2,500 attendees — spanning marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation sectors — with valuable insights on navigating the complexities of digital transformation.
“The digital landscape is constantly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities. It’s vital that we understand how to navigate and leverage these ongoing ‘revolutions.’ Johnson’s presence at DMAP’s DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024 will offer attendees the crucial insights they need to not just adapt, but thrive in this dynamic environment,” DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024 Co-chair Alan Fontanilla said.
With the theme “REVOLUTION,” this year’s DigiCon is set to explore groundbreaking trends and technologies that are reshaping the digital landscape in the Philippines and beyond. The major annual digital convention will gather global and local industry experts, thought leaders, and technology pioneers to share key insights through five tracks: “From Ecommerce to Digitally Enabled Commerce” (Ecommerce), “From IMC to Customer-Centric Campaigns” (Brand Building in AI Age), “From Digital Transformation to Business Evolution” (Digital Transformation), “From Data Driven to Insight Driven” (Analytics RPA and Data Science), and “From I to AI” (Innovation Labs on AI).
Steven Johnson serves as Editorial Director at Google Labs, a cornerstone of Google’s AI division. In this role, he has been instrumental in developing NotebookLM, Google’s evolving AI-powered research tool designed to help users derive key insights from their notes and other resources. Though still in its experimental phase, NotebookLM is believed by many experts to have the potential tov revolutionize document management and make research and note-taking more efficient and insightful.
Steven offers a preview of his keynote address, sharing, “My career has been about understanding innovation through the lens of history — understanding developments in the context of past breakthroughs and their societal impacts. This perspective helps predict the future. At DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024, I’ll share the key innovation patterns that consistently emerge during transformative moments.”
In addition to his work at Google Labs, he is a best-selling author, known for works such as Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer, which explores how humanity doubled life expectancy in just a century. His newest book, The Infernal Machine, delves into anarchism, the rise of the modern detective, and the birth of the surveillance state.
Steven also hosts The TED Interview, where he dives deep into the work and ideation processes of the most influential TED speakers.
This year’s DigiCon REVOLUTION will feature a unique multi-venue setup within Newport City, offering a comprehensive and immersive experience. Plenary talks will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, while breakout sessions will occur at the nearby Sheraton and Hilton hotels. International and local speakers will share insights and trends through keynotes, masterclasses, and workshops, creating an unparalleled DigiCon 2024 experience.
As a leading figure behind Google’s “next big thing,” Steven emphasizes the importance of upskilling amidst rapid technological advancements.
“More than ever before, our computers are going to be our creative partners. We’ll lean on them not just to organize and manage our information and ideas, but also to help us come up with new ideas. That kind of interaction with the machine will require new skills, ones we are just now starting to define.”
Since its first iteration in 2016, DigiCon has consistently been a pivotal gathering for the luminaries of Philippine marketing, advertising, and digital landscapes.
To learn more about DMAP DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024 and to secure your spot, visit https://www.digicon.com.ph/.
