AI & The Future: the Age of Machines

Vienna Institute for Global Studies

Join leading AI experts at this Future Forward Conference side-event to explore AI leadership, ethics, security, and future challenges.

SO/ Vienna

As the official side-event of the <a href="https://www.futureforward.at/" title="https://www.futureforward.at/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Future Forward Conference</a>, this meetup brings together a panel of accomplished professionals driving innovation and shaping AI’s global impact. Recognized across their continents as leading founders, investors, and thought leaders, they are at the forefront of AI advancements. This event offers a unique chance to hear their insights on several aspects of AI and the challenges of an AI-driven world—featuring a standout lineup rarely seen in the CEE region.Key Topics for Discussion:<ul><li>Leadership in the Era of AI</li><li>Ethical Considerations in AI Development</li><li>Profitability &amp; Monetization of AI Innovations</li><li>The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World</li><li>Global Legal Frameworks for AI</li><li>Security Threats, Scams, and AI’s Role in Fraud Prevention</li></ul>Why Attend?This event is essential for entrepreneurs, students, AI enthusiasts, and anyone curious about AI's evolving role in society. Our diverse panel of experts, each with a distinct global influence, will offer insights into AI leadership, business models, security risks, and legal frameworks. Attendees will gain actionable knowledge from these forward-thinking professionals—a rare chance to connect with some of the most influential voices guiding the AI revolution in both the business and technology sectors.We’ll conclude with an interactive Q&amp;A session, followed by a social gathering to continue the conversation.Panelists:<ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyasoman/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyasoman/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Tanya Soman</a> (US): the founder of <a href="https://southpawcap.vc/" title="https://southpawcap.vc/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Southpaw Capital</a>, a venture capital fund she launched in 2021, focused on investing in emerging fund managers and their top-performing companies. With over a decade of experience in tech, including six years in Silicon Valley, she has been actively involved in seed-stage investing globally through her work at <a href="https://500.co/" title="https://500.co/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">500 Startups</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccannatron/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccannatron/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Chris McCann</a> (US): a partner and co-founder of <a href="http://race.capital/" title="http://race.capital/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Race Capital</a>, a Silicon Valley VC firm investing in seed-stage companies like Databricks, Solana, and Lightning Labs, focusing on infrastructure, developer tools, and AI/ML. Alongside his VC work, he’s an accomplished artist, named National Geographic Photographer of the Year in 2016, and an early NFT platform creator with a notable collection. Previously, he co-founded <a href="https://www.startupdigest.com/" title="https://www.startupdigest.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">StartupDigest</a>, growing it to 550 cities and over 1M subscribers before its acquisition by TechStars. He also led <a href="http://greylock.com/" title="http://greylock.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Greylock Partners</a>' community program and advises initiatives like the Thiel Fellowship and StartX.</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-factor-6340038/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-factor-6340038/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Bonnie Factor</a> (The Philippines): the founder of CuriosityGenAI, which has two business verticals: Creative/Marketing AI &amp; Customer Service AI outsourcing to the Philippines. Named one of the Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn Philippines, she's the author of "Team Human + AI: Curiosity as the Ultimate Collaboration Tool" and has empowered over 8,000 leaders to harness GenAI for exponential growth. Bonnie brings a wealth of knowledge in GenAI, emerging tech, gamification, and digital transformation.</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martaordeig/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martaordeig/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Marta Ordeig</a> (US): an entrepreneur and storyteller based between New York and Barcelona. In 2017, she founded <a href="https://www.garagestories.org/" title="https://www.garagestories.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Garage Stories</a>, a traveling lab that brings together creatives and technologists to prototype projects using emerging media like VR, AR, and AI for positive social impact. Her work, in collaboration with companies and institutions, focuses on achieving the SDGs through innovative tech solutions. Garage Stories labs have been held in cities like Barcelona, San Francisco, and Mexico, and at institutions like USC and the Institute for the Future. She joined the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Future Council in 2024.</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wszabopeter/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wszabopeter/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Peter W Szabo</a> (Romania): a user-focused machine learning researcher with over 15 years of experience in UX/UI. His mission is to bridge the gap between humans and AI. Formerly the UX director at WhatUsersDo and senior UX/UI manager at The Stars Group in London, he authored the critically acclaimed book User Experience Mapping in 2017. After founding and successfully exiting his first company, <a href="https://acetech.dev/en/" title="https://acetech.dev/en/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">AceTech</a>, he launched <a href="http://tengr.ai" title="http://tengr.ai" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Tengr.ai</a>, a platform that transforms text prompts, images, and sketches into art, with multilingual editing tools designed for non-technical users.</li></ul>Register now to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited.

AI & The Future: the Age of Machines

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