Conference Program
Our program is currently a work in process and will be updated regularly in the upcoming weeks leading up to this year's edition.
Democratizing Data: Growing Food in a Planet Under Pressure
Climate conditions combined with the current inflation has further exacerbated the food crisis worldwide. Yet, time and tech has proven that data can be a powerful tool in reversing this trend. From climate resilience planning to supply chain analysis, solutions to the data scarcity gap and transition to climate-smart agricultures, require a holistic approach is essential for food security and sustainable development. How can we overcome data scarcity in developing countries to produce high-resolution weather forecasts? How can we ensure open access to this information on-site? How can we improve our agricultural supply chains considering the current climate crisis? How can financial institutions and agritech startups collaborate to bridge the digital divide in agriculture?
How Can Tech Help Us Preserve the Natural Environment?
Climate change and biodiversity loss are inseparable challenges — we cannot address one without tackling the other. Yet for over a decade, ecosystems on land and in water have faced unprecedented pressure, from intensifying wildfires to rising ocean temperatures, driving a steep decline in species and natural habitats. While the tech sector undeniably contributes to environmental strain, from high energy demands to e-waste, it also holds immense potential to drive solutions. From cutting-edge innovations to frugal, nature-inspired technologies, bold initiatives are already reshaping how we protect and restore our planet. This session will spotlight actors and technologies working to preserve biodiversity, sustain ecosystems, and harness tech’s transformative power to safeguard our natural world.
What You’re Looking For: How AI Is Changing Search Engines
For over 25 years, search engines have been our primary gateway to the internet. Today, the emergence of AI-driven search engines has the potential to reshape the search landscape, transforming not only the way we consume content but also how we navigate online. Media traffic and associated revenue models are now under scrutiny, as AI might disrupt traditional ad-based frameworks. Challenges associated with AI-powered search engines have emerged, while AI-applications open new avenues for revenue models. Are we really at a turning point in the evolution of search? What could these changes mean for sales and marketing strategies? How will AI impact the user journey when searching for information?
All-You-Can-Eat: Can You Balance AI’s Appetite for Data & Privacy?
The data privacy diet is a fluctuating one, that varies across time, regions, and adapts to (tech) disruptions. Data has proven to be one of our most valuable assets today – one whose protection varies from a legislation to another. But as regulations grow stricter, a potential data wall might emerge, threatening smaller startups' competitiveness and raising questions about shifting focus to application layers rather than LLMs. From the user perspective, building ethical AI is crucial, as current models may pose significant dangers. Understanding the origins of training data is equally important—where this data comes from directly impacts individual privacy rights. Parallels with the social media industry and its challenges around privacy offer interesting lessons. How can we reconcile increasingly strict privacy regulations with data-hungry business models while avoiding past pitfalls?
Beyond the Glitch: Understanding and Mitigating AI Hallucinations
By 2030, 86% of businesses will be using AI, with its integration already permeating both public and private sectors. A frequently cited challenge of this technological evolution is AI hallucinations, where models generate fabricated or inaccurate outputs, increasing the risk of bias reinforcement and errors in application. One root cause of this phenomenon lies in AI training datasets, which, shaped by human design, inherently replicate biases. As AI becomes more embedded in our professional and personal lives, from education to healthcare, a course correction is needed. What role does AI play in shaping our access to information? Does it mitigate or amplify bias? Who holds the responsibility for addressing these concerns—dataset providers, developers, AI companies, or end users? How can we "fix" and prevent these biases? And could open-source models offer a more diverse and inclusive solution?
Korea's Sustainable Shift : Pioneering Green Trade
As the world accelerates its transition to a sustainable future, South Korea is at the forefront of innovation, driving energy efficiency and green technology across its key industries—shipbuilding, automotive, semiconductors, batteries, and steel. However, achieving a truly sustainable industrial transformation requires bold investments, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic global partnerships. In this session, H.E. Inho Lee, Vice Chair of KITA and former 1st Vice Minister of MOTIE will share insights on South Korea’s role in shaping the future of sustainable industry. He will address the challenges and opportunities ahead, the country’s approach to open innovation, and how global cooperation can accelerate the shift toward greener, more energy-efficient economies.
AI to the Rescue? Re-Charting the Course to Net-Zero Energy
The world's net-zero ambitions are facing significant headwinds. This session examines whether artificial intelligence can provide the much-needed boost to get the energy transition back on track. We'll explore how AI-driven solutions can optimize energy systems, accelerate the adoption of renewables, and potentially offer pathways to more equitable and accessible energy solutions in the global south. Against the backdrop of policy debates, energy sovereignty concerns, and geopolitical risks (like U.S. elections), we'll critically assess AI's potential to overcome current obstacles and ensure a just and sustainable energy future.
Harnessing the Tides: Innovation at the Ocean's Edge
What if we could harness the ocean's predictable currents for sustainable energy? Minesto, a leading marine energy company, is making that a reality. This session provides an exclusive insight into tidal energy's unique promise, as shared by the company's founder. We'll delve into its compelling attributes – cost-effectiveness, reliable predictability, and favorable regulations – and explore its tangible impact through the Faroe Islands project, a compelling example of the technology's practical application and inherent potential.
Decarbonizing Tomorrow: The Role of Carbon Removal Today
Carbon capture is key to net-zero, but the high costs and scalability challenges of technologies like carbon capture remain significant obstacles. This session will explore recent shifts in the field and critical deployment questions: What are the most promising solutions being developed today? What policies and financing models can accelerate adoption? Can "credits" actually drive corporate change? And is carbon capture still a vital piece of the decarbonization puzzle?
Clean By Design: How Can We Create Green(er) AI?
The rapid expansion of AI brings with it a growing environmental burden. To truly harness its potential, we must prioritize sustainability from the ground up. This session delves into the practical solutions for minimizing AI's ecological footprint across its entire lifecycle – and lead to a truly "clean by design" AI ecosystem. From optimizing algorithms and developing energy-efficient hardware to reimagining data center cooling and exploring alternative energy sources, experts will address the critical steps needed to reduce AI's reliance on finite resources and the role of regulatory frameworks and industry initiatives in fostering responsible innovation.
Unveiling Startup Genome's 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report
Discover the latest insights shaping the global innovation landscape with the launch of Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025. Drawing on over a decade of independent research and policy work, the GSER analyzes data from more than 5 million companies across 350+ innovation ecosystems — making it the most comprehensive research of its kind. Ranking the top 40 global ecosystems, top 100 emerging ecosystems, and detailed regional insights an expanded regional ranking, the GSER 2025 provides expert insights into the global startup landscape, offering a data-driven roadmap for founders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders. In this session, we’ll reveal the latest rankings, cover global trends and explore the underlying drivers of today’s startup economy. Following the launch presentation, a distinguished panel of global policy makers and ecosystem leaders will share their interpretation of global trends and their impact on startups, ecosystem and economic development and related policy around the world.
I Want You: Solving the Tech Talent Paradox Title to be reworked?
It's like watching the industry pump the brakes and floor the accelerator at the same time. In the tech world many companies are downsizing. Those same companies, and many more, have also entered a fierce race to snag top talent in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence. In this complex landscape, how can professionals position themselves to be the talent that tech companies are vying for? How is AI transforming the job market and the skills required? And how will this paradox impact innovation in the long term?
Unicorn Hunting: Unveiling What Makes Startup Value Soar
Amid sky-high valuations making the headlines, it's crucial to uncover what truly propels a company's value to soar. Factors like genuine growth potential, innovative revenue models, and a clear pathway to profitability can set a startup apart in a saturated market. What convinces investors to stake millions on unprofitable ventures? How can entrepreneurs build sustainable models that not only draw investment but also deliver real value? And as valuations fluctuate, how can we discern between true innovation and fleeting hype?
Looking to Reduce Cyber Risks? Check Your Supply Chain & Third-Party Vendors
Supply chains are increasingly complex and global, often relying on numerous third-party vendors and partners for essential operations. This interconnectedness means that a single weak link—like a vendor with outdated security protocols—can become an entry point for cyberattacks, potentially leading to massive data breaches, operational disruptions, and significant financial losses. Third-party actors can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities through inadequate cybersecurity measures, but they can also be instrumental in strengthening security by implementing robust defenses and sharing threat intelligence. Tackling these challenges demands a proactive approach: conducting comprehensive risk assessments, enforcing stringent cybersecurity standards across all partners, and fostering a culture of vigilance throughout the supply network. As cyber threats continue to evolve, how prepared is your organization to secure not just itself but every link in its supply chain? What steps can you take to ensure that your third-party relationships enhance rather than compromise your cybersecurity posture?
Trust Through Security: Reinventing Digital Identity Protection
Digital identity theft poses a direct threat to the very bedrock of our digital society. When identities are compromised, the consequences extend beyond financial losses and data breaches; they erode trust in the technological systems that underpin everything from signing contracts to transferring funds. Securing digital identities is not merely a technical necessity but a fundamental requirement to maintain confidence in the technology and the human interactions it facilitates. Implementing robust strategies—such as multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, and decentralized identity solutions—is imperative. Yet, as cyber threats grow more sophisticated, are these measures sufficient to safeguard our identities? How can we, both as individuals and organizations, stay ahead in the relentless battle against cyber adversaries and reinforce trust in our increasingly connected world?
How Can Companies Navigate the New Age of AI-Powered Cyber Threats?
Companies face a new generation of cyber threats that can cripple operations in an instant. A single breach can cost millions and inflict lasting damage on reputation and customer trust. New threats like AI-powered ransomware, deepfake frauds, and supply chain infiltrations exploit vulnerabilities with unprecedented sophistication. While artificial intelligence can be leveraged for defense, it's a double-edged sword empowering cybercriminals to orchestrate more potent attacks. How can organizations outsmart cyber foes who are constantly adapting? And what cutting-edge solutions can counteract the malicious uses of AI?