Tag: #techfest2021

Sustainability and space key themes at TechFest 2021. #TechFest2021

Speakers at it@cork’s annual technology festival TechFest have highlighted the need for the industry to adopt a greater focus on sustainability and accessibility. Over 750 people attended the fully virtual three-day event, which came to a close today (27 May 2021).

Gillian Bergin, it@cork Chairperson and Senior Consultant with DELL Technologies said: “The last three days have inspired, motivated and challenged us to think about how we must create technology for all, in terms of fair and equal access, and how innovation can support more sustainable ways of working.“

“Whether it’s protecting our biodiversity or diversifying our teams and talent pools, we have an opportunity to influence and shape the future of work and the future of society. Technology and innovation must be used in pursuit of good; it’s so much bigger than convenience and entertainment. We have a moral responsibility to ensure economic, social and technological progress happens in harmony with humanity, equality and the planet.”

During one of the keynote speeches, Marcus Weldon, Former President of Bell Labs and CTO of Nokia, explored the three ‘Ps’ of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – Prosperity, People and Planet – and how emerging technologies such as robotics and machine learning will lessen the burden of data overload and repetitive tasks for workers of the future. He also heralded the mass adoption of existing video conferencing software during the pandemic as one of the greatest and lasting innovations of the last 12 months.

In his keynote address, Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of the National Space Centre in Midleton, Co. Cork, explored the growth of Ireland’s space industry and how satellite imagery will be used in time to predict natural disasters such as fire and flooding. He also confirmed to attendees that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband project, the brainchild of Elon Musk, has been in place in the National Space Centre since January of this year.

In her keynote address exploring how technological innovation acts as a catalyst for human connection, Caroline Dowling, Non-Executive Director at UNICEF Ireland and former Business Group President at Flex, also highlighted the lack of reliable fast broadband in Ireland, saying: “For a true digital economy, for fair working from home and business practices, we must solve this issue faster than we have been doing. We need innovation through connecting existing technologies and using them to solve problems.”

Hosted by Jonathan McCrea, other speakers and panellists across the three days included Cathal Wilson, COO of Nexalus; Steve Fleming, CEO of Voxxify; Alan Holland, Founder & CEO at Keelvar and Dr. Fiona Edwards Murphy, cofounder of ApisProtect.

 

TechFest is supported by partner organisations Trend Micro, it@cork skillnet, KPMG, Cork City Council, Berkley Recruitment, Telus, River Lee Hotel, Springboard Communications, Glandore and Dell Technologies. it@cork is one of Ireland’s most established and connected technology clusters representing over 220 companies in the South-West of Ireland. A not-for-profit organisation, it@cork works with academia, private sector and state agencies to promote the region as a technology excellence hub.

Techfest 2021 launches, with first speakers announced. #TechFest2021

it@cork has today officially launched TechFest 2021, which will take place virtually from 25th to 27th May. The three-day technology festival will include speakers from around the globe, interactive panel discussions, technical workshops and one-to-one networking opportunities. Marcus Weldon, former President of Bell Labs and former Corporate Chief Technology Officer of Nokia; and Caroline Dowling, Non-Executive Director at UNICEF Ireland and former Business Group President at Flex will deliver keynote addresses.

Other speakers confirmed include Cathal Wilson, COO of Nexalus; Steve Fleming, CEO of Voxxify; and Dr. Fiona Edwards Murphy, cofounder of ApisProtect, with more to be revealed over the coming weeks. it@cork will be closing the open call for speakers shortly as slots are filling up fast. Visit www.itcork.ie for more information.

Speaking on the launch of TechFest 2021, Gillian Bergin, it@cork Chairperson and Senior Consultant with DELL Technologies said: “The way we work and live has been transformed over the last year. The pandemic has forced us to rethink ourselves and our businesses. Business models have been reinvented and multi-year workforce transformation programmes have happened in days and months. When we exit this pandemic, that evolution will not stop. There is a new normal now. We need to always think about what’s next and how can we stay relevant?


TechFest Committee Chair-William Dalton, Trendmicro, Keynote Speaker Caroline Dowling, Director UNICEF and Chairperson of IT@Cork Gillian Bergin, Dell,
Pic Darragh Kane

“At it@cork, we are excited to bring back TechFest as a three-day conference this year, to help answer some of those questions and give access to some of the brightest minds in the tech sector. Attendees will hear from speakers that have transformed and adapted to succeed, as the world around them has changed.”

Tickets for TechFest 2021, priced at €20 for it@cork members, €30 for non-members and free for students, are on sale now at bit.ly/TechFest21. Broadcaster Jonathan McCrea will MC the event.

Ms Bergin added: “Over the three days, we have selected themes, topics and speakers that will inform, challenge and energise attendees. Our Innovate track on Day 1 will showcase the disruptive technologies that impact us all and feature those who are innovating for people prosperity and planet. With the theme Transform, Day 2 will explore how current and future transformative technologies will impact the nature of work, from immersive technologies and mixed reality to artificial intelligence and future networking.

“To Inspire on Day 3, we will be challenging attendees to think big, explore possibilities and push limits, hearing from start-up founders who are changing the world, cybersecurity gurus and communications strategists.”

The conference is supported by partner organisations Trend Micro, Glandore, it@cork skillnet, KPMG, Cork City Council, Berkley Recruitment, Springboard Communications and Dell Technologies. it@cork is one of Ireland’s most established and connected technology clusters representing over 220 companies in the South-West of Ireland. A not-for-profit organisation, it@cork works with academia, private sector and state agencies to promote the region as a technology excellence hub.