Highlights of London Tech Week 2024 Featuring Our Institution
London Tech Week 2024, held at Olympia London from 10-14 June, showcased a range of trends and discussions centred around AI, quantum computing, diversity, and inclusion in the tech industry.
The event began with a keynote by Microsoft's Darren Hardman, who discussed AI's transformative effect across industries, highlighting its potential for future growth across Europe. PepsiCo's Dr. Athina Kanioura followed suit, sharing insights into technology-driven corporate transformation. These keynotes underscored AI's broad impact on corporate strategy and operations.
AI was not just a technological breakthrough but a catalyst for corporate, sectoral, and social transformation. Panels, including those featuring leaders from Booking.com, delved into inclusive leadership and AI-powered innovation. The EdTechX Summit gathered senior leaders to explore AI integration and global trends in education technology, emphasising innovation and future skills.
Advanced technologies beyond AI also received attention. Quantum computing, semiconductors, augmented/virtual/mixed reality, cloud and edge computing, and 5/6G connectivity were discussed, with the UK’s Science and Technology Framework highlighting progress and leadership ambitions in these areas.
Inclusive leadership and diversity in tech were key highlights. The European Women in Technology conference focused on how inclusive leadership combined with AI innovation unlocks new ways to grow and thrive in the tech industry. Speakers stressed the importance of fostering broad representation in leadership to spark more inclusive solutions, making technology more accessible and equitable for all.
DeepTech organisations were also a topic of discussion, with emphasis on their use of the latest tech innovations to solve future problems and shape the world. Ethical use of technology, particularly in relation to DeepTech solutions, was a topic of debate.
Notable panels and keynotes included discussions by prominent global leaders, such as representatives from Microsoft, IBM, NatWest Group, WPP, Canva, and others. Fashion industry leaders also explored technology's impact on, and future developments of, circular fashion consumption.
Our institution was a significant part of the event, showcasing its tech bootcamps, short courses, workshops, and talent solutions. The institution's tech education team prepared attendees for careers in product marketing, user experience design, and digital marketing. Tech career experts were available at the institution's booth, offering information on tech bootcamps, short courses, and talent solutions.
Our team answered questions on how to start a tech career, upskill, and build compelling project portfolios relevant to London Tech Week 2024's themes. Bridget Lea, VP and general manager of Snapchat UK, urged business leaders to understand, support, and engage Gen Z in the future. Valerie Nowak from Mastercard and Ryan Browne from CNBC hosted a fireside chat about ecommerce landscape digitization challenges on Tuesday, 11 June.
The importance of upskilling in technology to stay competitive was emphasised in discussions about AI and the job market. The event also featured discussions by leaders from CCP and Klang Games about gaming's future, Space industry leaders discussing emerging outer space growth opportunities and innovations, and CEOs TS Anil from Monzo and David Brear from 11:FS discussing the future of FinTech.
AI was discussed as a tool that enables and supports human creativity rather than being the driver of creativity itself. UK AI experts examined whether the country has lived up to its potential as a leading AI research hub. Google and ARIA leaders discussed modern science and research addressing global challenges.
In addition, the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) in the tech industry was emphasised, with a focus on tech accessibility and its role in business success. Fashion industry leaders explored technology's impact on, and future developments of, circular fashion consumption.
US VC firms shared unique perspectives on thriving in the European tech business landscape. Leaders from Reckitt, UrbanGeekz, Qatar University, Cognizant, and GSK discussed AI's potential to transform industries.
In conclusion, London Tech Week 2024 was a vibrant and insightful event that showcased AI not just as a technological breakthrough but as a catalyst for corporate, sectoral, and social transformation. The event emphasised advancements in quantum and immersive tech, and stressed diversity and inclusion as foundational to sustainable innovation and equitable growth in the tech ecosystem.
- discussions centered around AI's impact across various industries demonstrated its potential for future growth in Europe, aligning with the focus of tech bootcamps and short courses offered at our institution, preparing attendees for careers in tech-related fields such as product marketing, user experience design, and digital marketing.
- The EdTechX Summit, which gathered senior leaders, emphasised AI integration and global trends in education-and-self-development, particularly online-education, highlighting the importance of upskilling in technology to stay competitive.
- The event, apart from AI, also addressed other advanced technologies like quantum computing, semiconductors, augmented/virtual/mixed reality, cloud and edge computing, and 5/6G connectivity, which are essential elements of software engineering and have a profound impact on the tech industry.
