Clay Chandler, Executive Editor, Asia, FORTUNE; Chair, Brainstorm Design

A provocative recent essay in Fast Company argues that, over the past decade, CEOs of many large companies have “broken up” with design. Is that true? If so, what went wrong? In this opening roundtable, some of today’s leading commercial designers debate the value of design in an evolving marketplace.

Cliff Kuang, Author, User Friendly; UX Designer
Katrina Alcorn, Former General Manager, Design, IBM
Ben Sheppard, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Moderated by: Clay Chandler, FORTUNE

A globally recognized design educator shares insights on the new essentials of design education in these fast changing times.
Sarah Stein Greenberg, Executive Director, Stanford d.school

Is a piece of art less valuable because it is generated by an algorithm? Who owns art created by an AI system trained on the work of real people? The top executive at one of the world’s leading auction houses explains how AI is shaking up the art world.

Francis Belin, President, Christie’s Asia Pacific
In conversation with: Tony Chambers, Founder and Creative Director, Studio TC & Friends; Co-chair, Brainstorm Design

The founder of a leading international architectural firm has eagerly embraced AI as a design tool because of its seamless interface between pen, paper, and a hand-drawn sketch.

Keith Griffiths, Chairman and Founder, Global Principal Designer, Aedas
In conversation with: Clay Chandler, FORTUNE

Gehl's approach to city planning is centered around the idea of creating human-centric urban environments that prioritize the needs and well-being of people. The firm emphasizes the importance of designing cities that are not only functional but also enjoyable and sustainable. Gehl’s director of research and development will share thoughts on how data can help expose new patterns and unfold social connections to create better and more inclusive cities for everyone.

Liselott Stenfeldt, Director of R&D, Gehl

A bestselling author explains why feedback loops are crucial in every product’s design — digital or otherwise.
Cliff Kuang, Author, User Friendly; UX Designer

An award-winning interactive designer guides us through the new frontier in design: creating branded experience through spectacles and immersive environments that are redefining architecture, retail, and entertainment.

Andrew Lazarow, Studio Leader, The Lab at Rockwell Group
In conversation with: Tony Chambers, Studio TC & Friends

Great brand design must tell a compelling and holistic story. A celebrated Chief Design Officer explains how his team created a new look for an iconic brand that connects its storied heritage with the company’s bold vision for what’s to come.
Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer, PepsiCo (appearing remotely)
In conversation with: Alan Murray, FORTUNE

Macau has a bold economic vision for its future—one that involves dramatic expansion of the city’s array of cultural, art, retail, and entertainment tourism offerings. What role will design play in that transformation? A visionary local business leader describes how design can help shape and revitalize Macau’s iconic neighborhoods.
Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director, MGM China Holdings Limited
In conversation with: Alan Murray, FORTUNE

The founder and creative director of the globally recognised eponymous design brand tells us about his regenerative underwater factory, the growth of Biorock and how AI is bringing it closer to reality.
conversation with: Tony Chambers, Studio TC & Friends

Leaders of some of the world’s largest design teams describe how AI is changing the way they work.
Charles Hayes, Executive Managing Director, Asia & Partner, IDEO
Katrina Alcorn, Former General Manager, Design, IBM
Prue Jones, Design Lead. Accenture Song
Moderated by: Clay Chandler, FORTUNE

An architectural studio leader offers novel solutions for creating more space for shrinking families in growing cities.

Shuhei Aoyama, Architect, Founding Partner, B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio
In conversation with: Wang Fang, Executive Editor, Shanghai FORTUNE CHINA; Co-chair, Brainstorm Design

Why design will play a key role in deciding what companies win the global race to dominate the electric vehicle industry.

Frank Wu, Head of Design, JIYUE Auto
Zhang Fan, Vice President and Head of Design, GAC R&D CENTER
Moderated by: Alan Murray, FORTUNE

Designers at a leading European design studio show how digital twins can help clients understand how people will experience buildings and cities—before they are built.
Jan Bunge, Director, Squint/Opera
In conversation with: Tony Chambers, Studio TC & Friends

Leaders of the corporate design alliance are teaming up to tackle the world’s biggest problem. Founders of the network explain how this year, they used design to help take on a host of ‘wicked’ global problems related to water.
Ben Sheppard, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Teman Evans, Global Chief of Design, General Mills
Moderated by: Nicholas Gordon, Editor, Asia, FORTUNE; Co-chair, Brainstorm Design

The world’s architects are using AI to imagine other-worldly buildings.
Tim Fu, Designer, Studio Tim Fu
He Wanyu, Founder, CEO, XKool Tech
Moderated by: Wang Fang, FORTUNE CHINA

Startups now realize that a designer isn't someone you hire only after you scale. Founders ignore design at their peril; without it, they risk making a product that doesn't fit the market. Experts from the startup space explain how the principles of design—defining the problem, talking to potential users, and generating new ideas—are critical for any new tech company.
Minh Tran, VP of Operations and Academic Affairs, Goodnotes
Anouk Sylvestre, Director Design, BCG X

In conversation with: Tony Chambers, Studio TC & Friends

We live in a time when technology is always emerging, change is constant, and the path ahead is rarely obvious. The way we think about these technologies like AI now will determine what possibilities and perils we might discover or avoid down the road. An expert working at the intersection of media and design proposes new ways to think about and make the most of our ever-emerging tech.
Scott Doorley, Creative Director, Stanford d.school

Teman Evans, Global Chief of Design, General Mills
In conversation with: Clay Chandler, FORTUNE