MEET OUR SPEAKERS
On the Main Stage 2024, attendees gained insights into the latest business and artificial intelligence trends. They discovered how to seamlessly integrate AI into everyday life and witnessed its transformative impact on various industries. Leading experts went beyond flying cars, exploring fascinating topics such as flying underwater, space technologies, and more.
Kevin Gaskell
STAR SPEAKER
Former CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW
Kevin Gaskell is recognized as one of the most capable business leaders of his generation. As the former CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW, he led the turnaround of Porsche from near bankruptcy to market leader, increased BMW’s profitability by 500%, and played a key role in transforming Lamborghini. He has also driven growth at Fairline Boats and other smaller brands, delivering massive success across industries like technology, digital, and construction, while creating over $5 billion in shareholder value. In his acclaimed books, Inspired Leadership and Catching Giants, Kevin shares his proven formula: 100 days to save a business and 1000 days to make it thrive. As a speaker, he offers practical, real-world strategies that leaders can apply immediately to achieve extraordinary results in any business environment. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Don’t be a genius, be a genius creator! 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: In a volatile and powerful market, focus and urgency are required. But how do corporate leaders drive massive improvements in performance on a routine basis? In a mature company how does a leader kick-start a fresh wave of energy and performance? Sharing his experience of building companies, driving change and breaking world records, Kevin will share the leadership approach and the practical techniques which have allowed his teams to create world class cultures, drive extraordinary performance and deliver incredible results.
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Alastair Cotterill
Director of Immersive, VFX & Design
Alastair leads the BAFTA and Emmy winning Immersive, VFX & Design teams at Atlantic Productions; bringing world-changing factual storytelling to life through film, VFX and emerging technology such as spatial computing, Ai and virtual production. Alastair has grown and led creative innovation teams at Mindshare, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Meta, in London and San Francisco. He has partnered with many of the world's largest brands to bring their stories to life through new media platforms, consistently informing the direction of the advertising and technology industries. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The future of visual storytelling 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: From cave paintings to generative Ai, technology has always determined how stories are created and enjoyed. But how do storytellers, whether brands, media companies, governments, or educators, keep up with the ever-accelerating pace of technological change? In this talk we’ll discuss how to make sense of the increasing complexity, how to connect with an ever-elusive audience, and how the marriage of storytelling and innovation is addressing some of the world’s largest business, environmental, educational and healthcare challenges.
Lisa Denzer
AI-Lab Lead in Space Exploration
Lisa is leading the AI Lab at the European Space Agency, where she spearheads the development of cutting-edge AI technologies to push the boundaries of human and robotic space exploration missions. With over a decade of experience in deep tech innovation across industries like space, robotics, fintech, real estate and e-commerce, she blends her AI expertise with a passion for pioneering advancements. Holding degrees in IT Digital Innovation and Political Science, Lisa has lived and worked in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, shaping her global perspective and forward-thinking approach. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: AI in Space Exploration: Enhancing Human and Robotic Missions 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Discover the exciting ways AI is transforming space exploration. From space station operations to autonomous navigation on Mars, AI enhances both human and robotic missions. In this session, you'll explore how AI is driving efficiency and unlocking new possibilities, shaping the future of space exploration beyond Earth's boundaries.
Olga Ivina
Global Head of Data Science
Olga Ivina leads the global Data Science capability at Microsoft’s customer facing organisation, Industry Solutions Delivery. The Team is working with the world’s leading enterprise customers. Olga's track record spans over 18 years and 5 countries. She has had many roles, from research to heading large AI organisations. She speaks 5 languages and loves to connect with people. She is deeply passionate about collaboration of teams of humans and AI and AI adoption at scale. Olga holds a PhD in applied statistics. She describes herself as a forever scholar and a book worm. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Putting AI to production: lessons of 10+ years in 30 minutes 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: This talk aims to share experiences of 10+ years of putting AI to prod in start-up, consulting, and large enterprise settings. It describes what is needed to make an AI solution work in a production environment and deliver value as designed. From this talk, you will find out how to promote AI adoption in an organisation, and why vitamin C - communication - is imperative for technological success.
Solaiman Shokur
Senior Researcher
Dr. Solaiman Shokur is a group leader at EPFL's Translational Neural Engineering Lab and a Bioengineering professor at San Raffaele University in Milan. He earned his Ph.D. with distinction from EPFL in 2013. His pioneering work on restoring sensory and motor functions in individuals with paraplegia or amputation has received several accolades, including the 2022 Brain-Computer Interfaces Award and the 2024 Falling Walls Breakthrough of the Year in Engineering. His work was showcased at the 2014 World Cup (estimated audience of 400 million viewers). He is also the CSO for a neurotech company aiming to restore mobility in people with paralysis 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Bionic Hands that Restore Sense of Touch in Amputees 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: The hand is an essential tool, and losing it due to trauma, such as amputation, leads to significant physical and psychological challenges. However, advancements in robotics and bioengineering have enabled the creation of increasingly sophisticated artificial hands, greatly enhancing the quality of life. We are now on the brink of offering amputees prosthetics that feel and function as natural extensions of their bodies.In my presentation, I will describe the latest advances in bionic hands for amputees, with an emphasis on a new and exciting field: prosthetics that provide sensation to the user.
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Archie O'Brien
Founder & CEO
Archie O'Brien, Founder and CEO of CudaJet, is the visionary inventor and lead engineer of the Underwater Jetpack, a groundbreaking innovation in water sports technology. His invention enables 3-dimensional flight underwater without external power sources. With a passion for design, engineering, and adrenaline-fueled sports, O'Brien is set to revolutionise the water sports market. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: The World's First Underwater Jetpack 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Join the Founder and CEO of CudaJet, as he shares the journey of creating the revolutionary Underwater Jetpack. In this session, Archie will dive into the engineering challenges for the jetpack, the process of turning innovative ideas into market-ready products, and what it feels like to fly underwater. Discover how cutting-edge tech is reshaping underwater exploration, personal mobility, and water sports.
Philipp Zimmermann
Global VP HR Strategy, Senior Advisor HR Transformation & Leadership
With more than 20 years of global experience in strategic and operational people management as well as digitalization, Dr. Philipp Zimmermann has led teams and organizations through significant transformations and developed innovative HR solutions, working in pivotal roles at global companies like Siemens Energy, Evonik Industries and The Boston Consulting Group. As a Thought Leader and author, Zimmermann engages with the topic of leadership, the potential of AI and digitalization as well as the development of the workplace - and its pragmatic implementation. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: People create and destroy success – leading through a common misunderstanding of transformation 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have triggered an exponential surge in transformation pressure across industries. The fatal mistake is seeing it as purely technical, when it’s really a people challenge—often leading to failure. Fueled by generative AI and co., industries are being disrupted and reshaped, profoundly altering how businesses operate across all areas and overturning long-established workplace and leadership practices. New work models demand flexibility, innovation, and reimagine collaboration between humans and machines.
Daniela Bombonato
Head of Brand Strategy
Daniela Bombonato has +20 years of experience in Brand Strategy. For the last years, she has been Head of Strategy at DAVID Madrid and previously DAVID São Paulo. She has also worked at global agencies Ogilvy and Leo Burnett. Daniela has been responsible for the communication strategies of clients such as Burger King, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Danone, Netflix, Santander, Magazine Luiza, Toyota etc. and her work has been awarded +18 Effie Awards and 1 Gold Cannes Effectiveness Lion. 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Is your brand strategy made for humans or for bots? 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Have you ever thought that with the exponential growth of technology there is an even bigger consumer demand for humanity? This is already happening when it comes to the brands and communication all over the world. This year’s most awarded Cannes Lions campaigns for B2B and B2C is a proof of that. In this session we will show awarded cases and provoke you to never forget that behind platforms and tools there is still a person that needs to connect to another person, that craves to be heard, feel something and, why not, be entertained. Have you ever thought that with the exponential growth of technology there is an even bigger consumer demand for humanity? This is already happening when it comes to the brands and communication all over the world. This year’s most awarded Cannes Lions campaigns for B2B and B2C is a proof of that. In this session we will show awarded cases and provoke you to never forget that behind platforms and tools there is still a person that needs to connect to another person, that craves to be heard, feel something and, why not, be entertained.
Octavian Palade
Video SEO manager
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Octavian Palade is the Video SEO Manager for Upswing, the most innovative SEO agency in Romania. A former journalist, with almost 14 years of experience in writing about innovation, business and startups, Octavian is also the host of a radio show about technology, broadcasted at TANANANA Radio. Passionate about all things tech, he follows the industry closely, keeping a keen eye on the advancements of AI and its uses in the fields of digital marketing & business transformation.