Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
International leaders, innovators, and experts will gather once again in Prague for the fourth edition of the global student technology conference, Future Port Youth, taking place on November 14 at the newly renovated Nova Spirala building at the Výstaviště Exhibition Grounds.
The speakers’ presentations will be packed with insights on the boundless potential of exponential technologies, which are fundamentally transforming the world and creating new professional opportunities for young people. Around 800 students, teachers, and guests are expected to attend in person, while thousands more, from both the Czech Republic and abroad, will follow the lectures online in schools alongside their teachers as part of their curriculum.
To inspire, broaden horizons, and show young people how they can leverage technology in their careers and to positively impact the world around them — that is the aim of the global student technology conference, Future Port Youth, which will once again bring international experts and leaders, as well as promising young scientists and innovators to Prague.
- Among the keynote speakers will be Stephen Ibaraki, a leading global strategist in technology, innovation, and #AI from the USA. Stephen, who collaborates with the UN and the World Bank and whose insights and strategies are sought by governments and top CEOs worldwide, will share his vision exclusively with students in Prague. “New technologies are fundamentally reshaping our lives, and the next five years will bring more exponential innovations than we have ever experienced in human history. We are at a pivotal moment for our planet, humanity, and Earth’s ecosystems. Young people must be equipped to navigate this rapidly changing environment, and Future Port Youth plays a significant role in preparing them. Its mission is to empower future generations with the tools and mindset needed to embrace this transformative era and create a more optimistic and better future for everyone”.
- Another highly anticipated international guest is Sophie Hamilton, a manager at Spotify and lecturer at Stanford, who will focus on how #AI can be used to support sustainability and humanity.
- Alvin Wang Graylin, a long-time pioneer and investor in #VR and the metaverse, will discuss what the future will look like as AI-driven augmented and virtual reality enter our lives. Alvin chairs several international organisations in this field, including the Virtual World Society and the Industry of VR Alliance. He is also Vice President of the tech giant HTC and recently released the bestseller Our Next Reality.
- Samay Lakhami, a promising young researcher specialising in AI and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, connecting the human brain with computers, is completing the lineup of international speakers.
- Jan Spratek, a member of the Czech space team and coordinator of the European Space Agency’s educational office ESERO, will also speak about space entrepreneurship and the emerging space generation. Jan stands behind the success of the only satellite launched by a planetarium, Planetum-1, and mentors the Czech high school team LASAR, who won two awards this year in the global NASA Conrad Challenge. These students will also appear as finalists in this year’s Future Port Awards.
- Young, acclaimed innovator and creator of a sound-generating haptic suit, Linette Manuel, will explore the future of education and the intersection of fashion and technology.
- Meanwhile, Matyas Bohaceek will address the misuse of AI for disinformation purposes and defence strategies against it. This promising Czech student and researcher focusing on artificial intelligence and digital forensics at Stanford University will build upon last year’s talk by his mentor, Professor Hany Farid from UC Berkeley, who spoke at Future Port.
Future Port’s CEO and founder, Martin Holecko told us “In designing the program, we combine experienced leaders in their fields with emerging stars, giving us perspectives from those who have actively shaped today’s world of technology and innovation for decades, along with fresh insights from the Gen Z generation, who have grown up with new technologies and perceive the world through their own lens. This way, we aim to present students with an inspiring vision of the future and show them how they can start working toward their dreams, even while still in school, through exponential technologies,” says
This year, student Adam Knotek will experience his dream come true. At last year’s Future Port, he shared his desire with the audience to one day perform with his band in front of hundreds of spectators. The organisers decided to make his wish a reality by including his band’s performance in the program. Students will also be inspired by the presentation and the formal announcement of the finalists in the Future Port Awards, a student competition judged by an expert panel. A total of 18 student teams from Europe, Africa, the USA, and Asia entered their projects, each using technology to reach one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Throughout the day, students will be guided by the returning host, 18-year-old British presenter, singer, and influencer Tilly Lockey — known as the “girl with bionic arms.” While physical seats for the event are fully booked, schools from anywhere in the world can join online for free.
This year’s partners include Google Czech Republic, Etnetera Group, CzechInvest, and the City of Prague. The event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.
Future Port Youth is a global technology conference for students from all fields, focused on the hottest topics of the future, digital technologies, and entrepreneurship. Held annually since 2021, its mission is to inspire young people and spark their interest in innovative technologies that they can leverage in their careers and to create a better world for everyone.
The event is organised as part of the Entrepreneurship Support project, which falls under the National Recovery Plan, component 1.4. Digital Economy and Society, Innovative Startups, and New Technologies, financed by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.
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