We don't know much about the origins of most human achievements – scientific and otherwise. Like evolution, does progress occur as random insights are selected for or against?
How truly innovative are companies like Uber and Airbnb, super-monopolies that capture entire markets by locking vendors and customers into their platforms?
Dan Peled/AAP
The digital pin-ups' business models actually inhibit serendipity and, indeed, innovation by absorbing entire markets into the sealed-off space of their platforms.
Pascale Haag, École des Hautes Études en sciences sociales (EHESS)
The concept of laboratory schools has raised interest in recent reports (CNIRE, François Taddei...). Will they manage to bridge the gap between teaching and research?
Unemployment is compounded by the prospect of automation replacing humans in production chains.
Reuters/Bobby Yip
Rethinking work is crucial for industrialised and emerging economies, where job losses are being felt even in the presence of substantial, although diminishing, economic growth.
When Malcolm Turnbull released his innovation agenda, the arts were missing. But Australia's fashion industry is a true innovator, comparable to French and Italian fashion houses. It's time to recognise this at home.
Increasing degree requirements for jobseekers doesn’t necessairly lead to an inventive employees.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Australian farmers and graziers have historically been against dingoes on their lands. But in a bid to adapt to changing conditions, some are embracing the predators and their potential.
South Australia’s Holden plant at Elizabeth will close permanently in late 2017.
GM Corp/AAP
Budget 2017 has allocated A$100 million to boost innovation and advanced manufacturing. But can it fill the hole left by automotive industry closures?
If we want to stop kicking the innovation football back and forth – we need to move industry policy to a more prominent place in the political agenda.
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The federal government spends over A$10 billion plus a year on industry policies but we have little idea how effective they have been. Programs are regularly dropped before we even know if they work. Think…
Suburban areas feel infrastructure stress most acutely. Having to deal with severe inadequacies, suburbs offer fertile ground for infrastructure experimentation and innovation.
Estonia is all about digital governance.
Brian Yeung
Smart cities do more than develop products to increase productivity and prosperity. Mayors, CEOs and leaders engage entire communities in shaping the future of cities.
