AmCham Slovakia

Conference on Digital Everything 1/3

Conference on Digital Everything 2/3

Conference on Digital Everything 3/3

Welcome to the Digital Day at the Festival of Future! 

This day is not about presenting concrete digital solutions or tools. Instead, it’s about exploring how digitalization impacts every facet of our existence, from the rules that govern us and how we work to how technology itself will transform our daily lives and how we can make it secure. 

The aim is to ignite discussions about technology from various perspectives: finance, energy, the future of work, social responsibility and ethics, legislation, security, and the application of AI across sectors and industries. Our goal is for you to leave with questions, not necessarily answers, and to discuss these among ourselves.  

Engage with experts, participate in discussions, and brainstorm new ideas. Let’s shape a path toward a more innovative and inclusive digital future together.  On the occasion of the 30th anniversary, in the light of megatrends, let’s shape the future together! 

AGENDA

8:30 – REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING / CONNECTING MINDS, FORGING FUTURES

9:00 – OPENING OF THE DIGITAL DAY (SK)

9:15 – WHAT FORCES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT OUR WORLD? / OPENING PRESENTATIONS & CHATS (SK)

9:30 - FUTURE & CRYSTAL BALL: CAN WE PREDICT TRENDS? (SK)

Can we predict the future? What if I told you some people could see the future? They know what you'll crave and who you'll love. Scary? Absolutely. Exciting? Even more so. Let's delve into the world of trendspotters and their methods.

9:55 - AI, MEGATRENDS & ECONOMY: WHAT ARE WE HEADING TO? (SK)

While some fear AI and robots will replace all human work, the reality is more nuanced. As automation and AI become integral to our jobs, the skills we need will evolve. So join us in uncovering the essential skills for future workplaces and discovering how AI will transform how we work.

10:20  - AI & SOCIETY: HOW WILL AI INFLUENCE US? (SK)

Can AI become part of our social circles, forming bonds like our closest friends? Imagine a future where AI bridges social gaps, enhances cultural preservation, and even becomes our coworkers. But is this realistic, and what ethical challenges might arise? Will we evolve alongside AI, or will it polarize us through misinformation? Let's explore the possibilities and challenges of AI integration in society.

10:45 THE AI WORKPLACE REVOLUTION: WHAT'S NEXT? (EN)

The words AI and the economy are often paired together, with figures frequently tossed into the mix. But is there truth behind these numbers? What tangible impact can we expect from AI, and can we measure it accurately with exact numbers, or are we only looking at trends? AI is poised to transform unexpected industries like agriculture, healthcare, and logistics by improving efficiency and driving economic growth. However, can this be universally applied to Slovakia and its economy, or are there hidden economic patterns we need to tailor to?

11:10 – COFFEE BREAK

11:45 - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION (EN)

What is the future of money? AI is revolutionizing the financial sector by democratizing access to services and creating new forms of currency. But it's not just about money—AI is driving innovation across the financial landscape, reshaping how we bank, invest, and interact with financial systems.

12:00 – THE GREAT DEBATE: ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AI CONTEXT (EN)

Join industry leaders as they explore AI's potential to drive growth in traditionally low-tech industries and identify sectors most vulnerable to disruption. Gain insights into how policymakers can create an environment conducive to AI-driven economic growth while addressing challenges related to global trade and environmental sustainability. Should we regulate proactively for the future, or allow market forces to shape the status quo? Can overregulation stifle business innovations while trying to protect individuals? As the EU and Slovakia navigate significant legislative changes, what is the optimal path forward?

12:40 – THE FUTURE OF REGULATION IN AI / PANEL DISCUSSION (SK)

Delve into the evolving landscape of AI regulations with experts discussing privacy, data security, and international cooperation. Explore how public opinion and ethical considerations can shape regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and prevent misuse.

13:10 – LUNCH BREAK AT WERK RESTAURANT

13:55 - GenAI BEYOND HYPE: PROMISES AND REAL IMPLICATIONS IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS / KEYNOTE PRESENTATION (EN)

Generative AI has captured the imagination of many, promising to revolutionize industries with its advanced capabilities. However, separating the hype from reality is crucial, especially in highly regulated sectors like finance. This keynote aims to explore the promises of GenAI, the hype it has generated, and its real-world implications and practical applications in financial institutions.

14:10 -  CYBERCRIME INC.: THE TRILLION-DOLLAR DARK BUSINESS /KEYNOTE PRESENTATION (EN)

Insight into the world of cybercrime, revealing how it has evolved into a highly organized, profit-driven industry rivaling the global economies of major nations. Exploring how cybercriminals operate like legitimate businesses, complete with hierarchies, strategic planning, and the significant economic impact and the ongoing challenges they pose to global cybersecurity.

14:20 – CYBERSECURITY ACROSS INDUSTRIES: FUTURE-PROOFING OUR SECTORS / DEBATE (EN)

Discover how different industries face unique cybersecurity threats and can collaborate to share best practices and intelligence. Discuss the challenges and benefits of implementing industry-wide standards while balancing security with innovation. Explore the potential of emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and blockchain, and engage in a lively debate on the future of cybersecurity.

14:40 - FUTURE REMARKS: FROM THE EARTH TO THE STARS (EN)

Is space truly the final frontier or just the launchpad for our cosmic aspirations? Discover the out-of-this-world innovations and stellar breakthroughs that await us. Find out how Slovakia is shooting for the stars and why these celestial pursuits are worth keeping on your radar.

15:00 - CONCLUDING REMARKS (SK)

Translation will be provided by Glocco.

SPEAKERS BIOs (in alphabetical order)

FILIP BOLHA - Filip is a well-respected IT and cybersecurity leader, currently heading cybersecurity operations at Swiss Re, one of the world's leading reinsurance companies. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Filip has developed expertise across various aspects of IT and cybersecurity. His passion for leadership shines through in his work, consistently inspiring and motivating his teams to achieve outstanding results.

RADOMIR BORDON - Radomir Bordon serves as Senior Director and Regional Country Manager for CSH region (Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary) of Dell Technologies. He is responsible for strategy and execution in this territory across all business units of Dell Technologies portfolio. He drives initiatives, strategies and programs to best align the offering potential with the changing needs of the industry across all selling motions and routes to market. It comes in conjunction with motivating, creating and communicating a vision and strategy for the international teams to engage and execute upon. Radomir is based in Warsaw and has been with Dell Technologies since 2004. During his tenure at Dell Technologies he has held several positions in services, presales, consulting and sales organizations.

MICHAL BRICHTA - Michal Brichta works as the Director of the Slovak Space Office - Industry Branch operating within the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency. In 2019 he initiated a new strategic approach to the comprehensive development of national space industry capabilities. Building on this approach, his team works to support the further development of the Slovak space sector and its internationalization with a focus on the full utilization of the country’s strong industrial and R&D potential. Michal Brichta is also the Slovak Delegate to the Council of the European Space Agency and a Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation.

MATUS DURKAC  – serves as the Director of AT&T Technical Support Centers in Slovakia. Boasting over 15 years of experience in the IT and telecom sectors, he has specialized in managing various IT projects, spearheading AI-powered transformation initiatives, and elevating service organizations to new heights of operational excellence. Matus leverages a technical foundation coupled with dynamic, results-oriented leadership. He is passionate about helping people grow, manage change and collaborating well cross-functionally to identify and resolve problems, improving both employee and customer experiences. Currently, he also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and 3rd Vice President of AmCham Slovakia.

RONIT GHOSE - Ronit Ghose is the Global Head, Future of Finance, Citi’s think tank for the future of money and technology. Ronit’s current areas of focus include Digital Assets, the Metaverse, Web3, the applications of AI to Finance and other frontier topics. Previously, Ronit was Global Head of Banks and Fintech Research for Citi. Ronit is an Advisor to various Governments, Universities, VC investors and tech firms in the UK, UAE and Africa. Prior to joining Citi, he worked at the British Bankers’ Association and was a research assistant in the UK Parliament for a former Prime Minister. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford & a postgraduate diploma from the University of London.

KARSTEN HEGEL - Karsten Hegel is a Regional Board Member of PwC CEE who established the Technology Innovation and Delivery Centre in Bratislava in 2010. He has implemented advanced technology solutions in Europe and the US, focusing on ERP & Core Systems for insurance, Process Automation, and AI. Karsten has advised multiple Management Boards of Banks in EMEA. He began his career at Coopers & Lybrand, which became PwC, and rejoined PwC in 2006 with focus on the Financial Services industry.

JEFF JABLONSKI - Jeff is a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Mr. Jablonski currently serves as an Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) in the FBI’s LEGAT office in the United States Embassy in Prague.  He recently spent 2 years as the supervisor of a computer intrusion squad in the field and has over 14 years experience working computer intrusion matters.  ALAT Jablonski serves as an active member of FBI’s Cyber Action Team, which serves as an investigative rapid response team that deploys across the globe in response to major cyber threats and attacks against critical services.   

KATARÍNA KAKALÍKOVÁ - Katarína is the Director Government Engagement at Mastercard. Based in Prague, Czech Republic, she brings 15 years of experience in EU Affairs and Government Business Development and Relations. She has extensive experience with managing hard working teams; developing and implementing lobby and communication strategies and advocacy campaigns. In her capacity, she has knowledge of European decision making process and great network of decision makers and business leaders in Brussels and in several EU Member States as well as outside of Europe (Israel). Currently she also serves as member of the Board of Directors of AmCham Slovakia.

MARTIN LOHNERT - He currently manages the Security Operations Center - a service that is part of the Soitron Group under the void SOC brand: www.voidsoc.com. At Soitron, he also worked as a technical manager, led Soitron Group marketing, and helped the company become the third-largest provider of IT solutions in Slovakia. He was there when Soitron expanded to the Czech Republic, Romania, and Turkey. Martin evaluates his experience also from the position of IT manager in the Slovak branch of the company Asea Brown Boveri, or Solution Architect in the Australian representation of Dimension Data. "

PAVLÍNA LOUŽENSKÁ - Pavlína founded TrendBrews, a forecasting consulting for Fortune500 companies. She is a Lead Mentor in Google for Startups for Europe and Africa and various other accelerators. She co-founded #HolkyzMarketingu and #HolkyzByznysu, educational platforms that have trained 25,000+ people. She is a Startup Advisor and VC Scout focused on early-stage companies. She regularly sends a newsletter on society and technology pavlinaspeaks.substack.com to 8000+ subscribers. She's been featured in Forbes, TED or Wired.

DANIEL MINÁRIK - Daniel leads the Innovations, Advanced Analytics, and Data Management division at Tatra banka. He focuses on developing and implementing strategies for Artificial Intelligence, Data Management, and Innovation, while ensuring regulatory compliance. In 2018, he established one of the region’s first dedicated data science teams, preparing the organization for future challenges. Tatra banka was honored as the Most Innovative Bank in CEE by Global Finance in both 2022 and 2023.

MICHAL PALIŠIN - Michal Pališin is a senior attorney and director at the PwC Legal law firm specializing in regulatory and compliance matters with more than 17 years of experience in the field of regulated industries, personal data protection, and electronic communications. In his practice, Michal also focuses on the regulation of artificial intelligence and is a member of the interdisciplinary team of PwC Slovakia providing services in the field of AI compliance and AI governance. He has been working at PwC Legal Slovakia since 2023. Before joining the firm, Michal worked for more than 16 years in the Slovak branch of another reputable international law firm.  

ELIŠKA PIRKOVÁ - Eliška Pírková works as Senior Policy Analyst and the Global freedom of expression lead at Access Now, the international human rights organization that defends and extends digital rights of online users at risk around the world. As a member of the European Access Now team, she leads the work on freedom of expression, content governance and platform accountability. She is a human rights lawyer by education and training, with previous experience working for international organizations and as a legal researcher. She has acted as an independent expert for international organizations, including the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Combating Hate Speech and Committee of Experts on Generative AI implications for Freedom of Expression (MSI-AI).

SLAVOMÍR PŠENÁK - Slavomír Pšenák joined O2 in October 2022. Slavomír has many years of experience in information technology in Slovakia and abroad. During his professional career, he has significantly brought modern solutions in many IT areas, such as Business Intelligence, Machine Learning, AI, and Cloud. He has successfully led many strategic projects aimed at streamlining and digitalizing processes or improving the quality and speed of solution delivery. He has gained experience primarily at Erste Group IT, InoCloud and IBM. Slavomir graduated from the University of Economics in Business Informatics. He also extended his studies to marketing and strategic management, which he studied during an exchange stay at Ghent University.

JULIA SCHVARCOVA - Julia Schvarcova is a public policy professional with 10 years of experience working on EU and national regulatory issues in Brussels, Warsaw, Prague, and Bratislava. She joined Google in 2019 and is currently leading government affairs & public policy in Czechia and Slovakia. Previously she focused on EU public affairs at the global consultancy Weber Shandwick in Brussels and gained experience in the European Commission. She holds a Master's degree in International Public Management from Sciences Po Paris, a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Manchester and is an alumna of the Aspen Institute CE Young Leaders Program.

TOMÁŠ SEDLÁČEK - Tomas Sedlacek does philosophy of current economics, he is a university lecturer and media commentator. He rose to prominence with his book "Economics of Good and Evil," (Oxford University Press), translated into 22 languages. Sedlacek served as an advisor to former Czech President Vaclav Havel, he lectured at World Economic Forum and all across the world. He was a Chief Macroeconomic Strategist at the biggest Czech bank. He was also a long-standing member of the Czech Republic's National Economic Council.

DAVID TIMIS - David Timis is the Global Communications & Public Affairs Manager of Generation, the largest global employment program by annual volume that trains and places people into life-changing careers. With a mission to prepare people for the future of work, David's interests lie at the intersection of reskilling, employment, and technology. He holds degrees in Business and Management from the University of Glasgow and in European Political and Governance Studies from the College of Europe. David has 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, and public affairs, working with organizations such as Google, L’Oréal, and BCW. Recognized as an Influential Leader by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, he has been included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List and selected by the World Economic Forum to be part of the Davos Lab. 

MICHAL VAŠEČKA - Doc. PhDr. Michal Vašečka, PhD. (1972) is sociologist by background and focuses on issues of ethnicity, race, antisemitism, and migration studies. He is a program director of Bratislava Policy Institute. Since 2012 Michal Vašečka serves as a representative of Slovakia in the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe. He operated at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University in Brno in 2002-2017 and at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences of the Comenius University in 2006-2009.