Health improving technology

News update – September 27th, 2018

In our weekly news filter ‘What We’re Clicking On’, we share our thoughts on the most interesting articles relating to the future of cities, buildings and interiors.

Depressions are one of the most widely suffered – and often undiagnosed – conditions. Last week’s Axios newsletter shed light on MIT researchers who trained an AI system using recorded conversations to assess whether a person is depressed and, if so, how severely. The researchers explained to Axios that someone who is depressed may lack the motivation to see a professional. Without a weighty medical conversation, an AI system might detect depression that may otherwise be missed.

Read more about MIT’s research as well as concerns about the use of AI on Axios

This week, the UK commercial property company British Land published the report ‘A Design for Life’. The findings show that improving mental health and wellbeing in cities could have significant and positive impacts in several ways, including boosting productivity in the workplace, reducing absenteeism and bringing down the welfare bills. Putting health and wellbeing at the heart of development could lead to a £15.3bn boost to the U.K. economy by 2050. These benefits are substantial, but primarily focus on external benefits. However, individuals also stand to benefit from improved wellbeing, with an estimated annual wellbeing gain of £3.1bn by 2050 – the report shows.

Check out the full report here

 

(Image: Krists Luhaers)

 

Multiple news outlets last week reported on the launch of JPMorgan’s AdvancingCities project. This five-year, $500 million initiative aims to create greater economic opportunity and inclusive growth in worldwide cities. The company plans to invest, through public-private partnerships, in places where it can address employment barriers, financial insecurity and affordable housing.

Read more about the AdvancingCities project on smartcitiesdive.com or wsj.com