Web Summit Returns to Lisbon Amidst Private Jet Constraints
This week, the Portuguese capital welcomes a cadre of tech luminaries as one of Europe’s preeminent technology gatherings, the Web Summit, commences on Monday evening.
However, attendees arriving in private jets are facing logistical challenges, having to land at more distant airports, including those in Spain.
This predicament arises as Lisbon’s primary airport grapples with accommodating the influx of aircraft.
“We must inform you that there exists a significant shortage of private jet slots during the Web Summit at Lisbon Airport (LIS) and its smaller counterparts,” event organizers conveyed via email.
“Lisbon Airport is struggling to handle the surge in traffic, leading to a dearth of available take-off and landing slots for all flights.”
For those fortunate enough to arrive, the event promises a plethora of engaging opportunities.
Kicking off in its iconic, vibrant style, the center stage is set to showcase prominent figures, including Maria Sharapova, the renowned former tennis champion, Khaby Lame, the famed influencer, and the CEO of Vibe coding company, Lovable.
Although primarily aimed at the technology sector, the Web Summit consistently draws high-profile personalities from the sporting arena.
This year, notable figures from Formula 1, including Toto Wolff, Principal of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, and Laurent Mekies, team principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, are slated to speak.
Yet, the crux of the event remains technology. Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave underscored that this marks the 10th iteration of the event in Lisbon, a bold departure from its origins in Dublin, which has facilitated the growth of companies like Revolut.
Influential tech giants such as Meta, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Boston Dynamics are also expected to make their presence felt.
Cosgrave highlighted the pivotal role that start-ups play in the conference, noting that Poland is exhibiting at an unprecedented scale, while Germany’s representation appears to be dwindling
He also remarked on the global dimension of the conference, spotlighting Chinese technology as the race for leadership in artificial intelligence accelerates.
Anticipating over 70,000 attendees, the event will feature around 2,500 start-ups and 900 esteemed speakers.
Key Discussion Topics
Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly dominate the discourse. The evolving realm of vibe coding—where apps can be tasked with building diverse functionalities—will take center stage, along with its implications for coders.
A comprehensive exploration of how governments aim to regulate AI and the ethical ramifications of this technology will unfold, featuring Henna Virkkunen, the European Commissioner for technology sovereignty, security, and democracy, in a dialogue with Euronews.
Another enlightening session on regulation led by Euronews will include Des Hogan, commissioner for data protection and chairperson of the Irish Data Protection Commission.
This year, the focus will also expand to address the escalating energy demands associated with AI. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that electricity consumption from data centers may reach approximately 415 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2024, accounting for around 1.5 percent of global electricity usage—an increase of 12 percent annually over the last five years.
Additionally, Euronews will lead discussions on how Europe can spearhead advancements in AI through enhanced data center infrastructure, featuring the CEO of START Campus, which is constructing fully renewable energy data centers, alongside Nscale, dedicated to building advanced systems for AI technologies.
Source link: Inkl.com.
