Season 7, Post 9: Elephants, swords, outer space and more
The pitch for Tech Show London as “an award-winning event featuring an unparalleled line-up of speakers and exhibitors” was, rarely, neither hyperbole nor exaggeration. Your author was one of around 20,000 visitors who descended on the ExCeL centre in London over the course of two days this week to feel the pulse of AI, cloud, cyber and data industries. Beyond the impressive opening keynote given by Chris Barton, the founder of Shazam and more recently at Google and Dropbox, there was much useful to take from the event.
AI, unsurprisingly, dominated almost every discussion. It was described variously as “the elephant in the room”, “the quintessential double-edged sword of our time” and “a disruptive enabler.” No hyperbole or excessive use of idiom here, obviously. Explained simply, AI is a game-changer. However, every business is still working out how best to use the technology and integrate it into their organisation. That perhaps explains why the crowds were deepest in this part of the event. There was a clear sense from conversations that many jobs will be at risk from automation (particularly in more repetitive processes), but optimists asserted that the technology would never totally obliterate human originality and creativity.
Chris Barton certainly stands in this latter camp. He gave a compelling explanation of how Shazam was one of the first pieces of software to use AI (leveraging pattern recognition and combinatorial hashing to identify music at scale) but more crucially explained the importance for entrepreneurs of bringing emotional connection to the businesses they are building while being prepared to question conventional thinking and applying creative persistence. Make sure your business remains relevant too, Chris asserted, especially in the face of rapidly changing technology.
Project forward and from where may disruption come? Two intriguing ideas bear consideration. Begin with emerging markets. While ~70% of patents filed at the start of the century came from G7 countries and the remainder from the rest of the world, this bias has now switched on its head, per the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Future innovation may not emerge from the most obvious R&D hubs then. Move over Silicon Valley and Oxbridge. However, if conquering the world were not enough, then consider how the landscape of undefined jurisdictions may evolve. Several commentators discussed the uncertainties attached to developing both outer space and virtual space (such as the metaverse). Ownership and cyber(security) issues in these immature domains add an extra degree of complication. The future certainly will not be dull.
13 March 2025
The above does not constitute investment advice and is the sole opinion of the author at the time of publication. Past performance is no guide to future performance and the value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise.
Click to here view all Blog posts.
Alex Gunz, Fund Manager
Photos by the author
Disclaimers
The document is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or any recommendation to buy, or sell or otherwise transact in any investments. The document is not intended to be construed as investment research. The contents of this document are based upon sources of information which Heptagon Capital LLP believes to be reliable. However, except to the extent required by applicable law or regulations, no guarantee, warranty or representation (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this document or its contents and, Heptagon Capital LLP, its affiliate companies and its members, officers, employees, agents and advisors do not accept any liability or responsibility in respect of the information or any views expressed herein. Opinions expressed whether in general or in both on the performance of individual investments and in a wider economic context represent the views of the contributor at the time of preparation. Where this document provides forward-looking statements which are based on relevant reports, current opinions, expectations and projections, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All opinions and estimates included in the document are subject to change without notice and Heptagon Capital LLP is under no obligation to update or revise information contained in the document. Furthermore, Heptagon Capital LLP disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, costs or expenses (including direct, indirect, special and consequential) howsoever arising which any person may suffer or incur as a result of viewing or utilising any information included in this document.
The document is protected by copyright. The use of any trademarks and logos displayed in the document without Heptagon Capital LLP’s prior written consent is strictly prohibited. Information in the document must not be published or redistributed without Heptagon Capital LLP’s prior written consent.
Heptagon Capital LLP, 63 Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HS
tel +44 20 7070 1800
email [email protected]
Partnership No: OC307355 Registered in England and Wales Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Heptagon Capital Limited is licenced to conduct investment services by the Malta Financial Services Authority.
