Unlocking the Power of Play with Jo Twist

In a special episode of the Playable Futures Podcast, Will Freeman sits down with Dr. Jo Twist, outgoing CEO of UKIE, to reflect on her 11-year tenure and the evolution of the games industry. With her impending move to the music industry as CEO of the British Phonographic Industry, Twist shares her insights on the significance of play and its impact on human experience. She notes that play extends beyond gaming, serving as a fundamental aspect of human nature that helps individuals navigate life, stay motivated, and understand complex concepts. Twist emphasizes the importance of playfulness in driving innovation and creativity, particularly in the face of emerging technologies like AI. During her time at UKIE, Twist has been instrumental in fostering a wealth of diverse talents across the creative spectrum, and she hopes this will continue in the future. One of UKIE's notable success stories is the Digital Schoolhouse initiative, which educates primary school teachers on computational thinking through playful methods. As Twist transitions to a new role, she remains optimistic about the future of the games industry and its potential to lead the way in educating and promoting emotional intelligence, particularly in the context of AI. The games industry, she believes, is uniquely positioned to drive this effort, given its experience in balancing human creativity with technological advancements. Throughout her tenure, Twist has also been a driving force behind efforts to improve equality, diversity, and overall culture within the industry, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. As she looks to the future, Twist is confident that the industry is moving in the right direction, with a growing emphasis on STEAM education and a commitment to putting human-led creativity at the forefront of technological innovation.