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By Rita Okoye
As we gear up for the upcoming conference, we are honored to discuss with Ibrahim Olanrewaju Olukokun, a global leader and dynamic professional with a wealth of experience in both the technology and social impact sectors. Ibrahim has an impressive background as the former president of AIESEC, where he championed leadership development and empowered young people to tackle global issues with creativity and purpose. His passion for innovation and community-building extends beyond his work with AIESEC; as the founder and visual designer at Contrivea Digital Agency, he has been instrumental in shaping impactful digital solutions that seamlessly blend technology with design.
Ibrahim’s commitment to making a difference on a global scale is evident in his involvement as a global volunteer for various youth organizations. Through his participation in initiatives like Africa Code Week and his leadership roles in community-driven projects, he has inspired countless individuals and helped to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities.
With a career that spans multiple sectors and continents, Ibrahim’s work has consistently focused on empowering others, driving innovation, and fostering collaboration. As we look forward to the discussions at this year’s conference, we are eager to hear Ibrahim’s insights on how technology continues to disrupt industries and create new opportunities.
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Can you tell us about yourself and the journey that led you to where you are today?
My name is Ibrahim Olanrewaju Olukokun, I’m a creative designer with passion for growth and I’m focused on helping businesses reach their full potential through proper research and design thinking. Curre Digital Agency, where I lead creative projects that merge aesthetics with functionality. My journey began with my role as the University Relations Manager of AIESEC in LAUTECH, establishing the organization in the local chapter as the largest youth-led group organization in the world, before becoming the President of AIESEC in LAUTECH, where I spearheaded global initiatives to empower youth and foster leadership. This experience sharpened my skills in project management and strategic planning, laying the foundation for my next venture and discovering myself as a designer: founding Contrivea Digital Agency. At Contrivea, I focus on crafting innovative digital solutions that push the boundaries of design.
In addition to my professional work, I have been deeply involved in various global volunteer efforts. As a facilitator for Africa Code Week, I mentored young coders and helped bridge the digital divide. Also, my role in various youth organizations, including serving as a delegate for the Common Purpose Global Leader Experience Programme, has further enriched my perspective on global issues and design thinking. My journey has been driven by a commitment to making a positive impact through leadership, creativity, and community engagement.
Why do you believe World Speech Day can serve as a catalyst for technology disruption, particularly in the areas discussed over the years?
World Speech Day (WSD) is a global idea by Simon Gibson who believed speeches can change the world and inspire a better future. This resonated with me a lot and I became the host and facilitator for my community to channel it to being a unique platform that excels at driving technological disruption by gathering thought leaders and innovators to discuss cutting-edge topics. Over the years, WSD LAUTECH has tackled transformative areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Design Thinking. These discussions are not just theoretical; they translate into actionable insights and practical solutions.
WSD’s strength lies in its ability to provide a space where diverse ideas converge, fostering collaboration and inspiration. By focusing on key technological advancements, WSD helps bridge the gap between emerging trends and their real-world applications. This environment encourages participants to challenge conventional thinking and explore new possibilities, making WSD a powerful catalyst for technological innovation. Through its focus on inclusive and forward-thinking discussions, WSD drives progress and shapes the future of technology.
As we approach the third year of this influential tech conference series, each year focusing on a distinct theme—IoT in 2018, AR/VR in 2019, and now Design Thinking in 2020—how do you feel the conference has evolved in terms of its content and impact?
From this just being a platform for people on how to express themselves as world citizens, the conference has evolved to focusing on specific technological advancements to integrating these innovations into a broader context of user-centric design. Each year has built upon the previous one, with a growing emphasis on how technology can better serve society. We’ve moved from discussing the technical possibilities of IoT to exploring immersive experiences with AR/VR, and now, we’re concentrating on the methodologies that ensure these technologies are designed with the user in mind.
Looking back at the past two years, what were the key takeaways from the discussions on IoT and AR/VR, and how have these influenced the theme for this year?
In 2018, the discussions around IoT highlighted the need for secure, scalable solutions to integrate technology into urban infrastructure. In 2019, AR/VR brought attention to the power of immersive experiences and their potential to revolutionize industries beyond gaming, such as education and healthcare. These insights have influenced this year’s focus on Design Thinking, which is about ensuring these technologies are not only innovative but also intuitive and beneficial for users.
What challenges have you encountered in organizing a conference series that covers such diverse and rapidly evolving topics over three consecutive years?
The main challenge has been staying ahead of the curve in a field where technology evolves at lightning speed. Each year, we’ve had to ensure that our content is not only current but also forward-looking. This requires constant engagement with industry experts and thought leaders. Another challenge has been balancing depth with accessibility—making sure that both newcomers and seasoned professionals find value in the sessions.
How do you ensure that the content remains relevant and engaging for the diverse audience that this conference attracts?
We ensure relevance by closely monitoring industry trends and maintaining a dialogue with our attendees. Feedback from previous years has been invaluable, helping us refine our approach and content. Additionally, we curate our sessions to include a mix of technical deep dives, practical case studies, and visionary talks, which caters to the varied interests and expertise levels of our audience.
With Design Thinking as the focus for 2020, what do you hope participants will take away from this year’s conference?
As a designer myself, I do hope participants will leave with a deep understanding of how to integrate Design Thinking into their workflows, regardless of their role in the tech industry. Design Thinking is about empathy, creativity, and iterative problem-solving, and our goal is for attendees to see how these principles can lead to more innovative, user-friendly solutions in their own work.
How are you planning to incorporate the lessons learned from IoT and AR/VR into the sessions on Design Thinking?
We’re incorporating these lessons by using IoT and AR/VR as case studies within our Design Thinking sessions. For example, we’ll explore how IoT can be leveraged in smart city projects through a user-centered lens, or how AR/VR can be designed to enhance educational experiences. These practical examples will help attendees understand how Design Thinking can be applied to complex, real-world challenges.
What new elements or features can attendees expect at this year’s conference compared to the previous years?
This year, we’ve introduced more interactive workshops and collaborative sessions. We’re also offering a broader range of hands-on activities where participants can apply Design Thinking principles in real-time. Additionally, we’ve expanded our networking opportunities to foster connections that can lead to future collaborations.
As we look forward to the 2020 conference, what excites you most about this year’s event?
I’m most excited about the potential for cross-disciplinary learning. Design Thinking naturally brings together professionals from different backgrounds—engineers, designers, developers, and business leaders. The exchange of ideas between these groups will be invaluable, leading to innovative solutions that none of us could achieve working in isolation.
Finally, as you think about the future, what are your plans for continuing to foster innovation and collaboration within the tech community?
Moving forward, we plan to expand the conference’s reach by incorporating more diverse voices and exploring new emerging technologies like AI and sustainability. We also want to offer year-round content through webinars, podcasts, and an online community platform to keep the conversation going. Our goal is to continue fostering innovation and collaboration by providing a space where ideas can be exchanged and developed into solutions that have a real-world impact.
