Web Summit 2024 is much more than a technology event; it is a true celebration of the future.
Bringing together brilliant minds from around the world, this great celebration of technological innovation becomes a vibrant stage where revolutionary ideas come to life, driven by contagious entrepreneurial energy.
This year was once again a meeting that not only reflects global trends, but also inspires new ways of thinking and creating, reaffirming the central role of technology in building tomorrow.
Participating in the Web Summit is always a unique and very inspiring experience, especially for those who work in the startup, entrepreneurship and digital field. It is the largest technology and innovation conference in the world and, in my opinion, also one of the best organized. In this 9th edition, it once again broke records, with more than 71 thousand participants, from 160 countries, more than 3 thousand start-ups and around a thousand investors.
Artificial intelligence was once again the most highlighted topic in the 2024 edition of the Web Summit. More specifically, generative artificial intelligence and its impact on society were topics covered in most presentations, masterclasses and startup pitches. There was great interest in the practical applications of this technology, such as in healthcare, education and the creative industry. Experts discussed both the potential and ethical challenges and regulations necessary to ensure responsible and fair development of generative AI.
Proving this highlight, this edition began with the announcement by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, about the launch of an LLM (Large Language Model) in Portuguese. It is an Artificial Intelligence model developed to understand and generate text, with potential for practical applications in various sectors of society, from the business world to educational institutions. The launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The Web Summit was the stage for another important announcement, this time made by Pedro Reis, Minister of Economy, who revealed the creation of a deep tech fund worth 100 million euros in Portugal. The objective of the new fund is to boost disruptive technological innovation, with a public allocation of 50 million euros and additional co-investment from institutional funds. The expectation is that the fund will be available on the market in the first quarter of 2025.
One of the most striking appearances was that of Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web, who refuted the idea that the enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence is just a “hype” cycle. “It’s real”, he stated, highlighting that for decades there has been an attempt to develop machines capable of working in our place.
One of the big highlights was the North American Pharrell Williams, who took to the main stage to talk about creativity. With more than two decades of recognition in the world of music, where he has won several Grammys, Pharrell also stands out in the world of fashion, currently holding the position of creative director at Louis Vuitton. During his presentation, he emphasized the importance of not spending our lives just trying to make money, but rather dedicating ourselves to what we really enjoy.
Another big highlight of the event was the winner of the pitch, the Portuguese startup Intuitivo. This innovative digital assessment platform was developed with the aim of transforming and optimizing the assessment process in schools, offering teachers more efficient and practical tools to manage and monitor student performance.
The Web Summit is, above all, a large community of entrepreneurs, where networking, debate and learning are promoted in the most diverse areas where digital is always present.