Photo: S. Tischer - Munich Startup

“Science is on our side:” Web Summit Has Begun

The 2017 Web Summit began yesterday with a star-studded guest list. The expectations are high for the tech conference in Lisbon.

Web Summit summoned, and roughly 60,000 startups, techies, investors and journalists answered the call. This is the second time the conference has been held in the Portuguese capital city after 2016. Despite its enormous scale, you hardly notice the conference in the heart of the city. The event is taking place at the exhibition center that was built for the 1998 Expo. Within eyeshot of the Vasco da Gama Tower, Portugal’s tallest building, and Europe’s longest bridge that was named after the same explorer, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, Web Summit fills up all four of the congress center’s pavilions. The main stage is located in the neighboring Altice Arena —  Portugal’s largest indoor arena.

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With so many superlatives, the long line at the entrance for opening night comes as no surprise. Only guests who registered beforehand are allowed to enter for opening night, but it still takes some time for the 20,000 seats to fill in the UFO-shaped arena.  Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave launched the stage event.

Long lines at the entrance. Photo: Munich Startup
Long lines at the entrance. Photo: Munich Startup

Stephen Hawking talks about artificial intelligence

The explorer motto is maintained throughout the evening: Feedzai CEO  Nuno  Sebastião views the conference in light of the Portuguese spirit of exploration. Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa drew the lineage of tradition from Vasco da Gama to Web Summit.

The biggest surprise of the evening came from Stephen Hawking, who made an appearance on the screen with a recorded message. The British astrophysicist spoke about the meaning of artificial intelligence (AI) for the future of humankind. On the one hand, AI might alleviate or resolve the problems of humankind. On the other hand, the invention of artificial intelligence might be the worst event in the history of civilization. Hawking is still hoping for the best:

“I am an optimist and I believe that we can create AI for the best of all of us.”

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EU commissioner calls for democratic rules

Host Cosgrave introduced her as being “in my view, one of the most important people in the world today:” European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager. In a discussion with tech journalist Kara Swisher, Vestager explained her mission:

“We have to make sure it’s not the laws of the jungle, but the laws of democracy at work.”

This also applies to algorithms: If they are not regulated, they will develop the classic methods used by cartels and keep other companies from growing:

“When you grow, you should not deny others’ chance to challenge you.”

Vestager repeatedly threw punches at American tech companies, saying they are only interested in their own advantage. She mentioned she never feels more European than when she is staying in the US.

Technology serving humankind

The top-notch line-up for opening night was completed by UN Secretary General António Guterres. The former Prime Minister of Portugal, being an engineer, sees modern technology and science as an opportunity for finding a solution for the most urgent issues faced by humankind:

“Science is on our side.”

Because countries are no longer able to shape the changes triggered by the fourth industrial revolution — meaning digitalization — events like Web Summit are necessary. The conference’s mission is to put technology and science at the service of humankind by examining the impact of digitalization. The goal is to link freedom of innovation with human rights.

The extent to which Web Summit will meet these challenges will become apparent in the days that follow. The actual conference program begins today.