We recently asked Katie Linendoll to share her thoughts on how technology has played a crucial role in helping businesses stay afloat navigating the uncharted waters of Covid-19 and what her predictions are in the world of tech over the next five years.
Q: A theme we have heard about throughout the LiveWorx series is that digital technology transforms our physical world. What does this concept mean to you and how would you define digital transformation?
A: I define digital transformation as a broad term, which pushes any business, in any size, to implement new technologies to better service their business and their customers.
Q: What is the one piece of advice you would give to a company struggling to accelerate their digital transformation strategy?
A: If it is within your budgetary means, make strategic moves toward digital transformation. Something we discussed in previous LiveWorx episodes was how over the last year many of the companies who invested in their digital infrastructure survived.
Q: Are there any new trends you are seeing among the technologies leveraged for a successful digital transformation implementation? Or what is the most exciting DX tech for you to learn about?
A: I have been very intrigued by new applications of virtual reality in job training. I have been working on a story addressing the global nursing shortage and with limited access to labs and faculty. Elsevier, an information and analytics company, has created more virtual experiences to drive better healthcare education for nurses all using new VR training.
They partnered with SimX who has a presence in both medical and military simulation and launched a Simulation Learning System for RN.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best thing that has come out of COVID in the realm of technology?
A: The Covid-19 pandemic forced everyone, including myself, to either figure out solutions quickly or get left behind. For me, when traveling for media work was no longer an option, I made a big decision to build a full home studio. It was a considerable investment, but it quickly paid off and allowed me to offer services in a new professional way that I had never thought possible before. New equipment, new software, new infrastructure… always a good time to challenge yourself and when it comes to tech you are never done learning!
Q: What is the best “feel-good” use of technology you have seen in the past year?
A: “Feel good tech” is my favorite! One of my favorite stories that I have followed for over nearly a decade is Worldreader – a non-profit organization which provides e-books to improve literacy in some of the poorest parts of the world-- one digital book at a time. Since 2010, Worldreader has reached over 16 million readers digitally through cell phones and ereader programs. In the past year they haven’t slowed down but ramped up with a new program as the pandemic has decreased educational access across the globe- even right here in the US.
Q: What technology do you feel will have the biggest positive impact on the world in the next five years?
A: I would need 10 pages to completely answer this one, but I'll stick to a niche that may be a bit unexpected. It's not as flashy as the "Jetsons," but rather practical.
I’ve always been very intrigued by the innovation of auto technology and while I have been at the forefront of showcasing some exciting futuristic advancements over the years, I’m ready to ease into something more mainstream and practical -- like semi-autonomous driving -- strictly for improved safety on the road.
Sign up for the final episode of LiveWorx: The Limited Series on June 24th to hear from PTC President and CEO, Jim Heppelmann, as he explains what digital technologies transforming the physical world means to him and why PTC is going through its own digital transformation.
