MEET OUR SPEAKERS
The AI Stage (13th of November 2024) was a gateway to the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, featuring leading international speakers who explored the latest advancements and real-world applications across industries. From machine learning and natural language processing to ethical considerations and future trends, the stage offered deep insights into how AI is transforming business and society.
Sebastian Wieczorek
Vice President AI Technology
Experienced development manager with a track record of being a serial intrapreneur, building engaged and happy teams, delivering products with high quality, and scaling organizations across continents. The portfolio of products under management includes SAP AI Core, SAP AI Launchpad, SAP Data Intelligence, SAP (Leonardo) Machine Learning Foundation, and SAP Web Analytics. In the past heading SAP’s web engineering research team, shaping the companies’ innovation strategy, leading a startup engagement program, and launched the AI ethics initiative. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The GenAI Evolution 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: GenAI is here to stay, yet many struggle to understand its implications. In this session we will focus on GenAI basics and its innovation potential for business applications, look at examples and recent trends demonstrating how GenAI contributes to operational efficiency increases, discuss current limitations and learn about techniques to overcome them.
Andreas Horn
Head of AIOps
Seasoned leader in AIOps at IBM with a rich international background. Having lived, worked, and studied across Europe, America, and Asia, including Shanghai, Prague, London, and Barcelona, he brings a global perspective to his role. With 7+ years at IBM and prior experience at Microsoft, Andreas leads a dynamic team specializing in AIOps and asset-based consulting. He combines strong technical expertise with practical experience in implementing AI solutions for large enterprises, consistently ensuring that technology aligns with and serves business objectives. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The Human Side of AI: Challenges, Achievements, and Its Future Impact on Society 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: In this session, we'll explore the transformative impact AI is having on society and how we can ensure it benefits everyone. We’ll address critical topics such as bias, privacy, and the challenges AI could bring to jobs and social inequality. Looking ahead, we'll discuss how we can build fair, accountable AI systems and explore the role education and reskilling will play in preparing people for the future. We’ll also talk about the need for global cooperation to ensure AI creates positive outcomes for all, not just a select few.
Marloes Pomp
Vice President
Marloes her professional interests focus on new technologies in the public domain. Marloes has set up many Blockchain, AI and Immersive tech projects. In addition, she has been training management teams within the Dutch Government on new technologies for 10 years. Marloes also works as an advisor at the Netherlands AI Coalition and the Dutch Blockchain Coalition. Both coalitions are a jointly developed partnership by government, industry and knowledge institutions. Marloes is is also the Vice President of the European AI Forum, a platform where entrepreneurs and policymakers get together to jointly determine the path forward for European AI innovation. In addition, she serves as an advisory member and investor in several startups and foundations. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Decentralized and Open Source AI—Democratizing Tech and Access 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Let's explore how decentralized AI and open source technologies are reshaping the landscape of artificial intelligence, promoting collaboration, transparency, and accessibility in AI development. And how decentralized blockchain infrastructures can help realizing this. And how to build decentralized Utilities. Key Areas to Cover 1. The concept and applications of decentralized AI 2. Blockchain technology in AI: opportunities and challenges 3. Federated learning and privacy-preserving AI techniques 4. Democratizing AI through open source and decentralized approaches 5. Challenges in scaling and governing decentralized AI systems 6. The future of AI development: centralized vs. decentralized models 7. Potential economic and social implications of democratized AI access
Monica Ducu
Founder
Monica Ducu is an experienced business coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and author, known for her expertise in amplifying human potential through coaching and AI. With a successful corporate background leading teams of up to 500 people and generating multi-million euro sales, Monica transitioned to entrepreneurship, where she has supported over 3,000 entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses. A pioneer in AI education, Monica launched Romania's first Business with Artificial Intelligence course in 2023. She has implemented AI in over 90 companies, hosts the "Business with Artificial Intelligence" podcast, and has engaged 5,000 participants in AI conferences and workshops. As a Mindvalley ambassador and author of "The Leap into the Unknown," Monica empowers businesses to thrive in the AI era, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology with human-centric approaches to drive innovation and growth. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: AI and the Future of Work: Preparing Your Business for the Next Decade 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: The talk will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape and transforming the nature of work. Drawing from experience implementing AI in over 90 companies, we'll examine key areas where AI is making significant impacts, from automating routine tasks to creating new roles and fostering human-AI collaboration. The presentation will address both the challenges and opportunities that arise from this shift, including workforce upskilling, job displacement, and enhanced productivity. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies for AI integration, empowering them to proactively prepare their businesses for the AI-driven future of work. Join us to learn how to accelerate your business growth in this new intelligence-driven landscape.
Anca Cîrstian
Head of Automation and Simplification
With over 20 years experience in telecom industry, Anca is leading cross-functional programs and teams on different domains like change management, transformation programs, automation, merger, bots, customer experience, project management and strategy. She takes every day as an opportunity to grow herself, personally and profesionally, as well her team and the business, transforming challenges in successful stories. “I absolutely enjoy spending time with my family and my colleagues!” 😊 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: GenAI use cases in Orange 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Presenting three use-cases implemented or in progress in Orange, using GenAI LLM technology and integrated with analytics and bots, for better customer experience, increase of efficiency and continuous improvement. „All these three use-cases are ofering speed of answer and better customer experience while dealing with us, either we are making continuous business analysis or quality monitoring, or even responding to our customer 24/7 and in an acurate manner.
Alexandra Pahomi
Google Pixel Channel and Sales Activation Manager for Central Europe
Alexandra, a seasoned business leader with over 16 years of experience in the technology sector, is Google Pixel Channel and Sales Activation Manager for Central Europe. She is responsible for spearheading the expansion of Google's Pixel hardware ecosystem across 9 countries, encompassing a network of over 20 partners and +2500 stores. Alexandra's proven track record of building and scaling technology brands, coupled with her expertise in marketing and communication, uniquely positions her to drive Google Pixel's strategic growth in the region. Her passion for technology began with her early work as a Digital Manager for a San Francisco startup and continued as she founded her own successful marketing and communication company. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Putting AI to work, the Opportunity Ahead 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: TBA
Larisa Pop
Country Manager Romania
Larisa has been working at Odoo for 2 years and a half. She has gained experience in sales & strategic planning by working in different sectors: NGOs, Startups and on Enterprise Level. As the Country Manager for Romania at Odoo, Larisa is responsible for growing the market together with the implementation partners, and ensuring that Odoo is a relevant and visible product for all Romanian companies. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Beyond the Buzz: Practical AI Tools in Odoo 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Explore Odoo's vision for artificial intelligence and its impact on business operations in this informative session. Discover practical AI tools embedded in Odoo, including predictive analytics and intelligent automation, designed to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows. We’ll showcase real-world applications of these features, demonstrating how they empower decision-making and drive growth. Whether you're a seasoned Odoo user or new to the platform, learn how Odoo makes AI accessible and practical for every business.
Alexandru Biticiu
Principal Data Scientist,
Discrete Data Science RO
Part of a team of data scientists working with industry experts to improve business decisions by discovering hidden data insights and empowering customers with data driven software solutions. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Transforming Data into Value: AI Use Cases 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: The session aims to offer a different perspective on Large Language Models (LLMs) in a business context, exploring various use cases and investigating how data science can address business challenges.
Alexandru Glod
Storyteller, TEDX Speaker, Udemy Instructor
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: For 12 years, Alex Glod has been working with leaders, marketers and professionals from the corporate and NGO sector to help them tell their stories with impact, to connect with their audiences, and to provide them with a memorable experience. He has trained over 4500 people on Storytelling, Public Speaking and Leadership and has taught over 63.000 online students through Udemy. He has spoken 4 times on a TEDx stage and has coached several TEDx speakers on the structure and delivery of their talks. Alex has also mentored several startups in pitching their business idea and has moderated over 25 events on topics such as blockchain, AI, cities of the future, urban mobility and youth leadership.