The Web Summit 2017 opened yesterday with many celebrities in attendance. Expectations for the tech summit are high.
The Web Summit is calling, and 60,000 startups, techies, investors, and media representatives are flocking to Lisbon. The summit is taking place in the Portuguese capital for the second time after 2016. Despite its enormous scale, the conference is barely noticeable in Lisbon's city center. The action is centered on the exhibition grounds, which were built for Expo 1998. Within sight of the Vasco da Gama Tower, Portugal's tallest building, and the Vasco da Gama Bridge, also named after the explorer and Europe's longest bridge, the Web Summit occupies all four pavilions of the exhibition center. The main stage is housed in the adjacent Altice Arena—Portugal's largest event hall.
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Given all the superlatives, the long line at the entrance on opening night is no surprise: While only those visitors who registered in time are allowed to attend the opening night, it takes some time until all 20,000 seats in the UFO-shaped hall are filled. Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave finally opens the stage program.
Stephen Hawking talks about artificial intelligence
The discovery motto then runs like a thread through the evening: Feedzai CEO Nuno Sebastião sees the conference in the tradition of the Portuguese spirit of discovery and also Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa evokes the line of tradition from Vasco da Gama to the Web Summit.
The big surprise of the evening is Stephen Hawking with a recorded greeting on the screen. The British astrophysicist discusses the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) for the future of humanity. On the one hand, he argues, AI is a way to alleviate or solve humanity's problems. On the other hand, the invention of artificial intelligence could be the worst moment in human history. However, Hawking hopes for the best:
“I am an optimist and I believe that we can create AI for the best of all of us.”
EU Commissioner calls for democratic rules
As “In my view one of the most important people in the world today”, host Cosgrave introduces the EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager In conversation with tech star journalist Kara Swisher Vestager explains her mission:
“We have to make sure it’s not the laws of the jungle, but the laws of democracy at work.”
Instead of the laws of the jungle, democratic rules should apply. This also applies to algorithms: If they are not regulated, they will develop classic methods of cartel formation and prevent other companies from growing.
“As you grow you should not deny others’ chance to challenge you.”
Vestager repeatedly took issue with American tech companies that only see their own interests in the spotlight. She said she feels most strongly how European she is when she's in the United States.
Technology at the service of humanity
The high-class line-up of the opening evening was completed by the UN Secretary-General Antonio GuterresThe former Prime Minister of Portugal, himself an engineer, sees modern technology and science as an opportunity to find solutions to humanity's most pressing problems:
“Science is on our side.”
However, since states are no longer able to shape the changes triggered by the fourth industrial revolution—that is, digitalization—events like the Web Summit are needed. The conference's mission is to put technology and science at the service of humanity by examining the impacts of digitalization. The goal is to link the freedom of innovation with human rights.
The extent to which the Web Summit will meet these requirements will become clear in the coming days. The actual conference program begins today.
