Back by popular demand – technology and digital sprints are set to return to Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival 2021.

Microsoft and Schneider Electric are among the huge names of partners joining forces with the water company for a whole host of different smart-tech and digital-themed events – which will explore issues from remote working to home flooding.

 

At the festival, which will take place between 18th - 21st October, there will be sprints, hacks and dashes where innovators from all over the globe will come together to look at common industry problems such as sharing data.

 

One of the sprints will focus specifically on how Artificial Intelligence can help to upskill frontline teams and create easier ways for them to work.

 

Another of the sprints will look at using digital twin analysis to predict and prevent flooding into customers’ homes – as well as overall improving customer satisfaction.

 

Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water, said: “Of course, it wouldn’t be our Innovation Festival without the super techy and in-depth events where we look at everything from mobile apps and digital twins to smart technology and artificial intelligence.

 

“Technology and digital are often seen as the flagships for innovation. When you think of innovation you usually think of the latest iPhone release or something equivalent.

 

“These topics are probably what people associate most with the Innovation Festival, and I am sure that the ‘Digital Power’ and ‘Smart Tech’ events will live up to the high expectations.”

 

The Innovation Festival is taking place on October 18-21, and registration is now open. To register, go to - www.innovationfestival.org/the-festival/

Festival info: 
  • Innovation Festival 21 is the fifth iteration of the water company’s event
  • The festival will see experts, engineers, academics, scientists and innovation leaders from across the world join the event as it takes place in a hybrid nature for the very first time.
  • In total, over 9,000 people have been involved in the previous four Innovation Festivals so far. The 2020 event saw almost 3,000 people come together saw participants from 37 different countries join us.
  • Taking place on October 18-21, the festival is expected to see thousands of people get involved in sprints focusing on issues such as net zero, water poverty, customer experience, employee wellness and technology.