How to innovate? From the wow effect to lasting benefits

Innovation is often driven by emerging technologies and the excitement they initially create. But turning novelty into lasting value requires more than technological progress alone.

Building a better future is about more than pushing emerging technologies. It is about involving people and taking the cultural dimension into account. Methods exist to do this and can provide major benefits for everyone: citizens, entrepreneurs and investors.

For our next Group 54 conversation, Nicolas Henchoz, founding director of the EPFL+ECAL Lab, will present how human observation, design, and scientific research can help innovation move beyond its initial “wow” and generate lasting benefits.

Drawing on research and real-world projects across healthcare, artificial intelligence, culture, public services and the environment, Nicolas will discuss how innovators can better understand what people will trust, adopt and continue to use. He will also introduce methods for testing innovations in real-world contexts and identifying the factors that support their lasting adoption.

The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A and informal group discussion.

About Nicolas Henchoz

Nicolas Henchoz is the founding director of the EPFL+ECAL Lab, a design research center created by EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, in collaboration with ECAL, the University of Art and Design Lausanne.

An engineer, former television presenter, researcher, art director and manager, he has developed a distinctive vision of innovation that combines cultural creativity, scientific practices and human observation to foster sustainable adoption. His projects, carried out with teams of designers, engineers and psychologists, have led to numerous academic contributions, awards and solutions implemented with companies and public institutions.

He has curated more than 30 exhibitions at institutions including the American Institute of Architects in New York, the Royal College of Art in London, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and Harvard University. His current research addresses topics including human engagement in digital experiences, inclusive interfaces and trust in artificial intelligence, with applications in healthcare, culture, services and the environment.

Nicolas was the Global Diplomat Chair of SIGGRAPH 2024, the leading conference in computer graphics and interactive techniques. He is also the co-founder of GAMI, the Global Alliance for Media Innovation, and has been appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.

About Group 54

Group 54 is a platform that brings together people, ideas, and perspectives to engage seriously with the complexity of today’s world.

Through small-group discussions, conversations with experienced voices, and ongoing reflections, Group 54 creates an environment where nuance is valued, disagreement is constructive, and independent thinking is encouraged.

Rather than seeking immediate answers or simplified narratives, the objective is to develop a deeper understanding of the forces shaping society, technology, and global dynamics.

Group 54 is built as a long-term initiative, evolving through the people involved, the ideas explored, and the standards of thinking it aims to uphold.