Olivier Usher

Technology and innovation for global challenges | Director @challenge_works, a @nesta_uk enterprise | ex-@ucl @hubble_space @eso | views=own

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

https://t.co/7DtndUkM4R

[UK Space Agency @spacegovuk]

We’re pleased to announce the winner of the Aqualunar Challenge! 🥁

The SonoChem System by Naicker Scientific has been awarded the top prize for its innovative approach, generating millions of tiny bubbles in melted lunar ice to produce drinkable water for astronauts. 🌒🚰

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

Very proud of all the teams in the Aqualunar Challenge, but particularly proud of Lolan Naicker, our worthy winner https://t.co/FVG72xs754

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

Thrilled to be at Canada House for the winners’ event of the Aqualunar Challenge @spacegovuk @Challenge_Works

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@thomasforth How about 4) all the more reason to spend on HS2 or 5) the money spent on HS2 should have been spent on upgrading Heathrow?

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

Mark Zuckerberg pirated my book. I don’t mind, but I still want my pound of flesh https://t.co/3PS8qE9YhW

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

Looking forward to hosting the @spacegovuk Unlocking Space for Investment pitch session at Space-Comm Expo this morning with @Exotopic_Ltd https://t.co/TxFCIouYLU

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@hugorifkind Saying he’s English

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@rcolvile @ChrisGiles_ I imagine it would have depreciated substantially through 40 years of wear and tear and is probably very cheap now.

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

We used to talk about abundance. Now we talk about optimisation. It's a huge economic shift, and a big cultural one too.
There are good reasons for it, but it doesn't feel great, and I think it's worth talking about why.
https://t.co/SbgCUtFEQZ

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@thomasforth Bay leaves are not bullshit. You are thinking of parsley. Parsley is bullshit.

[UK Space Agency @spacegovuk]

We are thrilled to see the incredible progress being made by UK teams in the Aqualunar Challenge, supported by our International Bilateral Fund, as they develop groundbreaking technologies to extract and purify lunar water—essential for enabling future missions. 🌑💧

[Challenge Works @Challenge_Works]

The race to establish a permanent moon base is on, but one of the key factors which will determine its success & viability is being able to find a renewable source of clean water.
As part of @nesta_uk's Future Signals series, @ojusher explores this topic: https://t.co/Dy3b79QdoV

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@FredericHCarver What’s your projected date for Zimbabwe?

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@Ocado I’m not called Daniel, but yes I already contacted your customer service.
They apologised but did nothing to resolve it, which I’d suggest is another service design failure.

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

It's interesting to see service design failures in companies that are usually pretty good at it.
@Ocado will cancel an entire order and release your delivery slot the instant a card is declined - no chance to confirm the transaction, enter an alternative card or try again.

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@Ocado They have an excellent online shopping experience and they are truly world-leading in automation and robotics... but that doesn't count for anything if they nuke a customer order at a touchpoint that their rivals wouldn't.

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

@Ocado And @ocado doesn't check your card at the time you order either - it does it in the middle of the night before delivery.
So the first you know is when you get woken up by your bank's fraud alert SMS, and an email alert that you're not going to be getting your shopping tomorrow.

[Olivier Usher @ojusher]

I've thought about this more over the holiday, and I haven't changed my mind.
I think there's a good chance that #LLMs and #DiffusionModels aren't exponential technologies.
(Other AI technologies I am much less sure)
But I'd love to know what others think
https://t.co/orKIvuAnok

[Nesta @nesta_uk]

What’s on the horizon for 2025? 🔮

It’s time for Nesta’s Future Signals collection, our annual look at the tech and trends that could shape the year ahead.

Based on data points, observations & sector insights, these are the trends that could have important implications for 2025 ➡️ https://t.co/Cu0pXLTaby