Surj Patel
Technologist
The Spoon
The Spoon
Surj Patel is a technologist, entrepreneur and educator focused on artificial intelligence, systems thinking and the ways emerging technologies reshape everyday life. A graduate of the MIT Media Lab and the University of Manchester, he began his career on the founding team that launched the BBC website and later worked at Newsweek andOrange Imagineering. He was also part of the founding team of GigaOM and taught computer science at the University of Portland. He is now a Partner at The Spoon, exploring AI, connected living and the future of food, the kitchen and the home.
Sessions
7 Sep 2026 – 10:50
Dream Stage (Hall 25)
30 min
AI in the Kitchen: Helpful, Hype, or Harmful?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the modern kitchen, from smarter cooking guidance and food recognition to personalised recipes and automated appliances. But where does AI genuinely improve the cooking experience, and where does it risk becoming more intrusive than helpful? Industry leaders explore how AI is reshaping the kitchen, discussing the balance between convenience, privacy, personalisation and consumer trust, and what it will take for intelligent cooking to become an everyday reality.
Track: World of AI & Future of Tech
Language: English
Artificial Intelligence
Smart Home Ecosystems
Robotics
Smart Living Forum
7 Sep 2026 – 12:10
Dream Stage (Hall 25)
30 min
Design for a Human-Centered Smart Home
As technology becomes ever more integrated into everyday life, designing smart homes that people genuinely trust is becoming just as important as the technology itself. Designers, UX leaders and industry experts explore how to create intuitive, sustainable and human centered experiences, examining the balance between convenience, transparency and user control. From connected appliances to ambient intelligence, this panel discusses what it takes to build smart living solutions that feel empowering rather than intrusive.
Track: World of AI & Future of Tech
Language: English
Smart Living Forum