In times of artificial intelligence (AI ), when the idea of protagonism of robots becomes more commonly discussed, the 4th edition of Rio Innovation Week (RIW ), one of the world’s leading technology and innovation events, includes in its debates humanization in the age of AI . In addition, in four days of meetings, the organizers estimate to forward R$ 2.6 billion in business .
Are expected 150 thousand visitors . The event will be held in Rio de Janeiro, from 13 to 16 August at Píer Mauá, in the region known as Porto Maravilha. The initiative is already beginning to take shape, with the theme Humanization in times of artificial intelligence.
The event director, Fábio Queiroz, believes that including the topic of Artificial Intelligence in conferences and lectures is a way to demystify the subject. For him, technology has the power to be a transformative force for good. “Every line of code, every technological advancement must be guided by a greater purpose, that of improving people’s lives and protecting our planet,” he says.
“The true measure of progress is not what we create, but how we impact and enrich the lives of those around us,” he adds.
One month before the meeting, the schedule foresees that of the 37 conferences, at least dez are specific about artificial intelligence .
Rio Innovation Week will occupy an area of 75,000 square meters (m²). It will include five warehouses at Píer Mauá and the Rio Art Museum (MAR). There will be 2,500 startups (promising technology companies) and 2,000 speakers. The space will have 26 stages for simultaneous entertainment.
Business
The volume of R$2.6 billion in business transactions exceeds that of the 2023 event by 13%. The deals are the result of the sharing of space between startups, exhibitors and those interested in technology and innovation.
RIW Executive Director Bruna Reis told Agência Brasil that the ecosystem of suppliers and stakeholders generated 9,000 meeting requests last year. B3 alone – the company that operates the São Paulo stock exchange, which has a high demand for technology and innovation solutions – requested 80 meetings.
“We have hundreds of participating companies. Business is generated there because, for example, a startup has a meeting with Petrobras and generates a contract. We have business meetings between investors and startups or business meetings between mentors and startups. So, startups end up doing business with investors and corporations and are supported by mentors,” explains Bruna.
In addition to prospecting for investments, the event itself generates around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. These include positions in areas such as assembly, lighting, sound, reception, monitors, promoters, sales teams, producers, decorators, marketing and communications, and general services, among others.
Highlights beyond artificial intelligence
The conferences are divided into 14 tracks that function as thematic fields. These areas include agribusiness, energy, mobility, entrepreneurship, innovation, environmental sustainability, sports, financial markets and diversity. There are also demonstrations of technologies, such as virtual reality.
Among the names of notable speakers is that of the human rights activist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, the Yazidi (Iraqi minority) Nadia Murad . She will talk about the importance of education in social transformation.
From Silicon Valley, the hotbed of technological innovation in the United States, comes author and entrepreneur Eric Ries, recognized for being the creator of the Lean Startup movement – a business model that directs startup companies to allocate resources more efficiently.
The American theoretical physicist also participates Kip Thorne known for his work in astrophysics and gravitation. He is one of the world’s leading experts on Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and the physics of black holes.
Still in physics, the Brazilian appears Marcelo Gleiser winner of the 2019 Templeton Prize, a world reference in cosmology.
Other names better known to the general public are that of the actress and singer Zeze Motta the writer Ailton Krenak – the first indigenous representative elected immortal of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, and the digital influencer Nath Finance .
Social passport
Tickets start at R$250 and can be purchased on the event website. The organizers have created “social passports.” There are 60,000 free tickets for university students, academics, social entrepreneurship groups and social projects.
The Mauá Pier is located at Avenida Rodrigues Alves, 10, in Mauá Square.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
