Why AI, sustainability and the metaverse are set to shape history

From networking events and panel discussions to fireside chats and an eye-opening workshop, the City of Sydney’s Visiting Entrepreneur Program is tackling the most topical conversations in tech, from AI to sustainability.

This month, Sydney will bring together some of the world’s leading global entrepreneurs and tech experts for its annual program of free events discussing the technologies changing our world.

Starting Wednesday June 21, major venues across the inner-city’s Tech Central Precinct will host sessions with a prestigious line-up of speakers, including Canadian-based technofuturist and founder of Future Memory Inc. Galit Ariel, Co-founder of the Blitzscaling Academy Chris Yeh, CEO of Quantum Motion James Palles-Dimmock, Director of Technology for Microsoft Accessibility and author Dona Sarkar, and Co-founder and CEO of Plan A Lubomila Jordanova.

Produced by the City of Sydney with partner organisations from the local startup ecosystem, and supported by Tech Central and the Greater Cities Commission, the Sydney tech program of events will tackle topics such as artificial intelligence, generative and quantum tech, and sustainability, diving deeper into the ideas, trends and technologies that are disrupting our society and economies.

At a crossroads with AI and disruption

This year’s theme, Crossroads: hype x disruption, addresses some of the major talking points in tech right now. The visiting entrepreneurs will explore what tech trends will outlive the hype, how to champion inclusion and equitable impact, and how to discern the opportunities from the noise.

According to one of this year’s visiting entrepreneurs Chris Yeh, the surge in artificial intelligence interest is the most impactful change our society has experienced in the last two centuries.

“AI may be the most consequential technological wave since the Industrial Revolution,” Chris tells Startup Daily. “As a society, we’ll have more productivity, more jobs, and a better everyday life.”

While Chris warns of some short-term turbulence, such as the disappearance of certain professions and investments, he is confident our society is in the best position to manage it.

“The timing of this year’s Visiting Entrepreneur Program is perfect,” Chris says. “AI isn’t even the only revolution underway, with continuing post-pandemic developments in genomics and synthetic bio.

“This is the perfect time to learn about and embrace the future.”

Think like a technofuturist

This year’s program will kick things off with an exciting launch event on Wednesday 21 June. The Tech We All Deserve, presented by renowned technofuturist Galit Ariel, will explore the impact of technology on our lives and futures, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Holly Ransom.

“We are experiencing ‘everything, together, all at once’ in emerging technologies, with accelerated cycles and premises, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, real-time and immersive technology,” Galit explains.

This session will be an opportunity to hear from one of the most innovative minds in tech about understanding the unique opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of the current wave of revolutionary technologies.

Amid the rapid diffusion of technology we’re seeing in society right now, the Canadian-based technofuturist urges everyone to take a step back and re-examine the ways in which tech enriches or inhibits our daily lives.

“I am looking forward to the mixed audience – not just tech developers, agencies and service providers, but citizens, users and curious folk,” says Galit. “They are at the core of this industry and should actively participate in tech futures’ considerations and discussions.”

The program at a glance:

• Launch event: The tech we all deserve with Galit Ariel, Wednesday 21 June, 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
• Advancing climate innovation through collaboration and AI with Lubomila Jordanova, Wednesday 21 June, 4:30pm – 7:00pm.
• Quantum in motion with James Palles-Dimmock, Wednesday 21 June, 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
• Creating responsible AI solutions: A discovery workshop with Galit Ariel, Thursday 22 June, 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
• Hypergrowth & AI: Spotting opportunities through the noise with Chris Yeh, Thursday 22 June, 5:00pm – 7:00pm.
• The future happened yesterday: A story of tomorrow with Galit Ariel, Monday 26 June, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
• Building tomorrow: Discussing blockchain innovations with Galit Ariel, Tuesday 27 June, 5:30pm – 8:00pm.
• Harnessing artificial intelligence for good with Dona Sarkar, Tuesday 27 June, 9:30am – 11:00am.
• Responsible AI: Getting it right with Dona Sarkar, Wednesday 28 June, 3:00pm – 6:00pm.

The 2023 Visiting Entrepreneur Program will dive into technologies such as AI, XR, avatars, biotech, green tech, cryptocurrency, NFT and generative art, and the Metaverse.

For more details on each session and the visiting entrepreneurs, view the full program and book your spot now.

This article is brought to you by Startup Daily in partnership with City of Sydney, supported by Tech Central and the Greater Cities Commission.