Opening Remarks and Introductions:
The event was held during CHI 2016, focusing on the theme of “CHI for Good.” The speakers, Allison “Joe Fish Kay,” Vishal Sikka, and Alan Kay, were introduced as individuals who have significantly contributed to the field of computing and made positive societal impacts.

Vishal Sikka’s Perspective:
Vishal Sikka, CEO of Infosys, is praised as one of the best CEOs in the world. He is known for his leadership roles in the industry and his research in artificial intelligence. Sikka emphasizes the need for better collaboration and learning capabilities in the workplace. He believes that teams can achieve more than individuals, and current interfaces lack the necessary features to support effective collaboration.

Alan Kay’s Perspective:
Alan Kay is recognized as a visionary thinker in mobile computing and user interfaces. He highlights the importance of learning about pioneers like Doug Engelbart, whose contributions to collaboration were significant but often overlooked. Kay criticizes the lack of progress in addressing fundamental issues in human-computer interaction over the last 35 years. He sees potential for improvement if researchers can focus on these issues without being constrained by peer reviews and incremental improvements.

Conclusion:
The discussion highlights the need for improved collaboration and learning tools in the workplace. It also emphasizes the importance of visionary thinking and looking beyond incremental improvements to address fundamental issues in human-computer interaction. The speakers encourage researchers to explore these areas and contribute to the advancement of computing for the greater good.

Engelbart’s Ideas and C-Tasks:
Engelbart emphasized the importance of C-tasks in organizations for continuous improvement. C-tasks focus on enhancing B-tasks and identifying new A-tasks. Foundations and research organizations are examples of C-tasks that are often overlooked. Investing in C-tasks, like research, can ultimately benefit shareholders.

Incremental Improvement vs. Long-Term Problem Solving:
Many tools have not seen significant improvement over decades due to a focus on incremental changes. Considering the long-term use of tools can lead to more substantial problem-solving.

Collaboration at the Operating System Level:
Engelbart envisioned collaboration as a fundamental aspect of the operating system, not an add-on feature. This approach allows for seamless and integrated collaboration.

The Power of Different Perspectives:
The stickiness and standoffishness of elementary particles drive macro phenomena. Human beings and mammals exhibit cooperative and competitive behaviors at different scales. Cooperation is more beneficial in an age of abundance.

Engelbart’s 1962 Proposal:
Engelbart’s 1962 proposal to ARPA laid the foundation for the human interface field. It emphasized the importance of understanding the work of pioneers like Engelbart and Sutherland.

The Need for a Serious Field of Computer Human Interface:
The field of computer human interface lacks a serious approach and often resembles pop culture. It lacks a unified mission and doesn’t take its larger responsibilities seriously.

Vishal Sikka’s Initiatives:
Infosys Foundation’s contributions to India: A 2% rule for corporate social responsibility was enacted, influenced by the foundation’s work. Infosys Science Foundation supports scientific research, including the ACM Infosys Award. Infosys Foundation in the US focuses on expanding computer science education.

Alan Kay’s Collaboration with Y Combinator Research:
Sam Altman, CEO of Y Combinator: Altman’s curiosity about Xerox PARC’s research outcomes sparked a collaboration. Altman aimed to replicate the successful government funding model of the 1960s, which led to Xerox PARC’s groundbreaking innovations.

Significance of Xerox PARC Research:
The research funding during the Cold War era resulted in significant economic impact. Xerox PARC alone generated a gross world product of approximately $35 trillion. This demonstrates the potential of open IP and collaborative research.

Creation of Y Combinator Research:
Sam Altman established Y Combinator Research as a non-profit organization. The organization promotes open IP and creates research communities. Initial projects include Open AI and Basic Income.

Pioneers of Computing Technology:
Alan Kay describes the early researchers in the 1960s as idealists driven by a vision to create interactive intellectual amplifiers for all people worldwide. Licklider’s vision guided the direction of research, leading to significant advancements like the internet and graphical user interfaces.

The Human Advancement Research Community:
This organization, founded by Sam Altman and supported by various companies, aims to address global challenges through research. It consists of notable researchers like Brett Victor, Vi Hart, and Alan Kay himself. The community operates with open IP and a focus on the public good.

Research at the PI Level:
In the 1960s and at PARC, research was primarily driven by individual principal investigators rather than top-down directives. This approach allowed for a diversity of perspectives and a rich exploration of future possibilities.

Collaboration and Community:
The computing community in the 1960s consisted of various universities, government think tanks, and research groups. The collaboration and exchange of ideas within this community fostered innovation and the development of groundbreaking technologies.

Xerox PARC’s Role:
Xerox PARC’s mission was to refine and practicalize the research funded by ARPA. While PARC was less focused on radical new ideas, it successfully produced practical solutions to networking, interaction, and computing power challenges.

Addressing Big Problems:
A question from the audience highlights concerns that the emphasis on VC-funded startups may hinder the resolution of larger societal issues. Kay cites Negroponte’s observation that even a simple infrared urinal possesses more knowledge about an individual’s activities than their computer.

Balancing Startups and the Larger Picture:
The focus on startups, especially VC-funded ones, can hinder solving big problems compared to government-funded environments. There’s a need to step back and recognize that startups have a different dynamic than real research.

Beyond Startups and Engineering:
Startups are vital, but they represent the young phase of our industry. Engineering, while essential, shouldn’t be confused with invention and innovation. Engineers design airplanes for practical use, while scientists and mathematicians explore theoretical possibilities.

The Genius of Michelangelo and Ivan Sutherland:
Michelangelo’s vision and dedication to painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling exemplify the balance between engineering and art. Ivan Sutherland, a self-described engineer, had brilliant and audacious ideas that he implemented himself, pushing the boundaries of computing.

The Heuristics of Research and Creativity:
In computing, many interesting aspects cannot be proven mathematically. Researchers and creatives build and experiment to understand their ideas, leading to enlightened engineering. Artists like Michelangelo, who also designed the Dome of St. Peter’s, exemplify this harmonious blend of art and engineering.

Collaborative Learning and Innovation:
Seymour Papert believed in creating master learners rather than master teachers, emphasizing collaborative learning communities where everyone learns together. Vishal Sikka’s startups and foundations prioritize collaboration and foster a sense of collective learning.

Infosys’ Startup Fund and Research Approach:
Infosys has a $500 million startup fund and invests an amount comparable to its foundation funding in startups around the company. The company emphasizes that innovation is not limited to a specific team or location; rather, it aims to create a mindset where everyone is an innovator.

Research at Infosys:
Infosys avoids separating research from the rest of the company, recognizing that innovation can come from any employee. The company’s “zero distance” concept involves 200,000 innovators who actively think about solving problems and driving change.

Innovation Mindset:
Infosys believes that fostering an innovation mindset involves embracing experimentation, learning from failures, and continuously seeking opportunities to improve. The company encourages employees to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and collaborate across teams to drive innovation.

The Need for Innovative Practices:
Traditional best practices are not innovative and limit creativity. Outsiders can provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Encouraging a culture that values innovation is crucial for progress.

Limitations of Current Tools:
Current tools often lack the features needed for effective collaboration. Simple improvements, such as eye contact in robots, are overlooked. The lack of undo functionality in many devices is a glaring issue.

The Importance of Cultural Learning:
Traditional cultures rely on learning by remembering and recalling past experiences. In modern times, we need to adapt our learning methods to a world of constant progress. Cultural learning through interaction with others is essential for many people.

The Challenge of Teaching:
The goal of learning to read in the 19th century was to learn how to learn from reading. The mismatch between the need for good teachers and the difficulty of finding them persists today. The internet provides the potential for widespread distribution of educational materials, but the lack of good teachers remains a challenge.

The Importance of Special Interfaces:
Computers have the potential to go beyond books in terms of teaching and learning. Interfaces that help us see better and comprehend complex ideas are needed. The focus should be on creating interfaces that adapt to human genetic propensities.

The Enduring Significance of Classic HCI Research:
Classic HCI research, such as McCarthy’s Advice Taker paper, remains relevant today. Programs of Common Sense by McCarthy highlights the importance of systematic approaches to user interfaces. Interfaces that help us see beyond our senses and time horizons are valuable.

Technology and Human Nature:
Technology has the potential to enhance human abilities and encourage individuality. User interfaces should facilitate differences rather than enforce conformity.

Training Wheels as a Metaphor:
Training wheels on bikes symbolize a restrictive user interface that limits the potential of users. The goal is to provide user interfaces that empower users to explore and express their individuality, rather than hinder it.