Digital Summit Event Wrap-up – “Digital Summit beleuchtet die KI-Revolution” (Digital Summit Sheds Light on the AI Revolution)

The Digital Summit is a flagship event of the digital-liechtenstein.li location initiative. Its seventh edition, themed “From Algorithms to Applications – The AI Revolution,” highlighted the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence from various perspectives. Over 350 decision-makers and digital enthusiasts attended the event to engage in high-level presentations and informative discussion rounds.

Opportunity for State and Economy

On behalf of the host, Board President Lothar Ritter provided insights into the current activities of digital-liechtenstein.li and emphasized the importance of the Digital Roadmap for Liechtenstein. digital-liechtenstein.li had published the strategy paper four months ago, outlining over 50 measures to position Liechtenstein among the most modern countries in terms of digitalization by 2030. Subsequently, Markus Mayer, Deputy Head of the Office of Informatics, presented ongoing digitalization projects and e-government initiatives from the government’s perspective.

The first keynote speaker, Dalith Steiger, an AI expert and serial entrepreneur, guided the audience through the complex world of new technologies, discussing their possibilities and limitations with concrete examples. She explained how AI will capture every industry, leading companies to automate their processes, enhance efficiency, and develop new solutions.

Huge Potential for Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Data storage in the cloud plays a significant role in the deployment of AI. Christian Keller, head of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Europe, one of the world’s largest providers of cloud solutions, is convinced: “AI is still at the very beginning of a long race – similar to the early days of the internet. However, the impact that AI will have on the way we work is already very significant and will undoubtedly increase.” According to a recent AWS study, every third company in Switzerland already uses AI applications today. This trend is expected to massively increase in the coming years. The study estimates the potential for the Swiss economy at around 127 billion Swiss francs.

Interesting Glimpse into Estonia

After the refreshment break, the audience’s focus shifted to Estonia. The Baltic state has developed into a model country where virtually all administrative processes are digitized. Florian Marcus presented the basic principles for a digital society and explained how governments and administrations can excite their populations for digital services. Marcus, formerly with e-Estonia, now supports other countries in their digital transformation. After his speech, he discussed concrete experiences and examples with Liechtenstein’s Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni and Christian Wolf, partner at BDO Liechtenstein and board member of digital-liechtenstein.li, to ensure the success of digitalization projects.

Do Not Miss the Connection

To conclude the event, Akshay Krishnaswamy, Chief Architect of Palantir, a leading global software company in the AI sector, took the stage. Flying in from San Francisco, he explained to the audience how data-driven decisions based on AI work. Governments, companies, and even intelligence agencies worldwide rely on software from Palantir to make critical decisions in real-time using their wealth of information and data. Krishnaswamy encouraged attendees to be open to the possibilities and challenges of new technologies to not miss the AI revolution.

AI Photobooth Draws Interest

Following the event, the over 350 guests had the opportunity to network and share their experiences during the networking apéro. A crowd favorite was the AI photobooth from the University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland. Numerous participants took the opportunity to have a picture of their face taken and inserted into a background of their choice based on AI.

The Digital Summit is organized by the location initiative digital-liechtenstein.li. The initiative supports Liechtenstein in its digital transformation and is supported by around 60 companies and organizations as well as by the government and the princely house.

Original article in german.

Contact: Ministry of Interior, Economy and Environment
Patrick Stahl,
Event Agency Skunk AG
T +423 231 18 28
stahl@skunk.li

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Author: Mark Minevich, Copyright by www.forbes.com

Nevertheless, 2020 will also be cemented into the history books as the digital inflection point that finally revealed to the world the significance of social innovation and the human-centric approach. In 2020, cross-industry AI adoption skyrocketed like never before, as people-oriented solutions became the sole focus and priority of technology entrepreneurs, enterprises and governments. These rapid advancements have undoubtedly spilled over into 2021, establishing it as the Year of AI-powered Social Innovation. Not only that, but forward looking EU countries––Denmark, Slovenia and Estonia in particular––have taken this slogan seriously. For long, the EU has been known as a global champion of social solutions aimed at improving the lives of citizens. However, the events of 2020 combined with massive public-private efforts and a mutual understanding of the need to innovate with AI for a better future ultimately propelled the EU to the top of the social innovation ladder and digital government.

The EU has launched a series of forward-thinking programs and funds that are geared towards social innovation and technology, such as Horizon Europe, InvestEU, the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) and European Social Fund (ESF), among many others. One of the most impressive efforts is the Horizon Europe program, which will run from 2021 to 2027. The EU Commission has allocated a proposed budget of €100 billion for the project, which will serve to advance research and innovation throughout the region. According to a document by the EU Commission, “Europe can shape its future through research and innovation by Focusing research and innovation on the ecological, social and economic transitions and related societal challenges, Leveraging Europe’s scientific strengths into leadership in breakthrough and disruptive innovation, Setting ambitious goals for issues that affect us daily, such as skills development, the fight against cancer, harmful emissions, and the state of the oceans, including plastics, and Focusing on cutting-edge research and innovation projects spanning from research and innovation to deployment.” In addition, under the preceding program, Horizon 2020, the EU Commission had already set out to increase its annual AI investments by 70%––prior funding that in conjunction with the present Horizon Europe initiative will truly shape the EU as a socially innovative AI powerhouse. 

In addition to Horizon Europe, InvestEU is another ambitious effort focused on catapulting the EU to the top of the AI Social Innovation ladder. According to the European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA), “Through the InvestEU Fund, the European Commission will provide an EU guarantee of €38 billion, divided over four windows which define the policy areas that InvestEU supports: Sustainable Infrastructure (€11.5 billion); Research, Innovation and Digitalization (€11.25 billion); Small and Medium Businesses (€11.25 billion), and Social Investment and Skills (€4 billion).” […] 

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Copyright by Mark Minevich, www.forbes.com

As the 21st century rages on, success and failure of nations depends not only on their citizenry and governmental leadership, but heavily on the technological visions that countries embrace. If a nation takes the approach of sitting back or standing still as automation and Artificial Intelligence advance at ever increasing rates, that nation is destined to be left behind. However, if a country embraces AI and dedicates significant resources and top minds to ethical implementation, that country is destined to be a leader for decades to come.

Recently Steve Mills, Chief AI Ethics Officer & Leader for Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector, and Partner at Boston Consulting Group said quite eloquently “AI has become table stages for global national economic and technological competitiveness. This goes beyond nations capturing a piece of the large and rapidly growing AI market. AI is poised to transform nearly every industry. There is an imperative for nations to position themselves to integrate AI into these sectors. Particularly those sectors that are economically important to them. Failing to do so could erode their competitive position, creating opportunities for other, more technologically advanced nations to fill the void. This is not just a matter of missed upside potential from the new AI market. It’s also about downside risk for every other sector that is economically important to a nation.” 

What does it take to be one of these leading nations? To find that answer let’s look at the 7 most promising Governmental AI solutions across the globe. 

1. United States Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center

The Pentagon’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center is building on its success and moving towards what its Director, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Groen, calls “JAIC 2.0.” He wants the United States to accelerate the implementation of AI within the DoD. Lt. General Groen has also overseen the granting of $100 million to Deloitte Consulting to create a Joint Common Foundation to help organize the pentagon’s AI factory, secure it against intruders, direct its workers and test its products. As I’ve written ad infinitum, countries will always move their vision forward by successfully teaming with the private sector. 

2. Denmark’s Digital Growth

The Danish government allocated $134 million euros through 2025 as a part of their new Digital Growth Strategy. The goal of Denmark’s strategy for digital growth is to make Denmark a pioneer in the digital revolution to develop wealth for every Danish citizen. 

This sounds great on its face, but what exists within their borders to make this a reality? PerLasse Grøn Christensen, a Tech Team Leader at Invest in Denmark said, “Denmark holds international strongholds in research within the area of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cryptography, just to mention a few, and offers a world-class software development talent pool. The strong focus of the Danish government to increase the number of graduates with a STEM background and to secure easier access to IT skills will be crucial for Denmark’s digital growth and a decisive factor for companies looking for locations to set up new R&D facilities.” 

3. Estonia’s National AI Strategy

Estonia has a goal of at least 50 AI use cases by the end of the year, building on its current 30. Estonia created a National AI Strategy, which resulted in a national plan for promoting the implementation of AI solutions in both public and private sectors. Part of this is the Estonian government investing 10 million euros through 2021 to push towards full implementation of this National AI Strategy. 

The government is also focusing on their national education system with AI in mind. Estonia have begun a change with the creation of a specialized Master of Science study program in the field of Data Science, including artificial intelligence. The nation will begin to include AI in the curriculum for all general education schools. This is a common sense, yet brilliant approach to winning the future in Denmark. By starting their youth in the these fields through school, Estonia can ensure great bench strength and an educated and ready generation of AI minds to come. […]

Read more: www.forbes.com

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