The Luminaries of DTS24: A Deeper Dive into Our First Round of Stellar Speakers

Dublin Tech Summit (DTS) has long been a premier event for technological dialogue, insights, and networking. As the momentum for DTS24 builds, we’re thrilled to offer a closer look at some of the tech titans who will be taking the stage.

A confluence of technology, innovation, and global connectivity, DTS is more than just a conference, we bridge continents, disciplines, and ideas. We welcome a vibrant community of visionary leaders, disruptive thinkers, and ambitious startups.

Take a look at our first round of #DubTechSummit 2024 speakers.

🎟️ And be sure to grab your ticket soon! 🎟️

Jack McCauley Innovator-in-Residence Berkeley University (Co-founder of Oculus)

Jack McCauley – The VR And Gaming Pioneer

As the Co-founder of VR behemoth Oculus and currently the Innovator-in-Residence at UC Berkeley, Jack McCauley’s influence in the tech world is undeniable. He is also credited with designing the groundbreaking guitars and drums for the Guitar Hero video game series.

As the Co-founder of the virtual reality giant, Oculus, and his work at UC Berkeley’s Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, Jack’s influence is monumental. At Oculus, his expertise was showcased as he crafted the DK1 and DK2 VR headsets, instrumental in revolutionising the realm of virtual reality. This breakthrough culminated in Oculus’s acquisition by Facebook for a staggering $2 billion. Beyond these achievements, Jack’s patent repertoire is vast, covering software, VR, motion control, and gaming hardware.

In addition, Jack’s passion extends to AI and mathematical modelling. He also continues to spearhead pioneering projects from his private R&D hub in Pleasanton, California.

Helen Dixon: Commissioner for Data Protection, Ireland DPC

Helen Dixon – Ireland’s Guardian of Data Protection

Guarding individual data rights with unwavering commitment, Helen Dixon stands as Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner since September 2014. Her remit is vast, especially with the regulation of numerous US internet multinationals that have European hubs in Ireland.

But Helen’s dedication to upholding data rights isn’t the only feather in her cap. As the former Irish Registrar of Companies, she championed regulatory enforcement and ensured steadfast compliance with the Companies Acts. Beyond this, Helen’s tenure in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation saw her delve into economic migration, science, technology, and innovation policy, laying the foundation for her Commissioner role.

With a rich IT background and extensive postgraduate qualifications, ranging from Computer Science to Judicial Skills, Helen’s credentials are impressive. This prowess was recognized in 2014 when she was bestowed with an honorary fellowship by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA).

Alessandra Sala Sr. Director of AI and Data Science Shutterstock

Dr. Alessandra Sala – AI Visionary at Shutterstock

A recognised luminary in the realm of Artificial Intelligence, Alessandra Sala stands tall as the Senior Director of AI and Data Science at Shutterstock. Boasting over a decade and a half of innovation and research, she is fervently committed to merging innovation with real-world applications.

Alessandra’s dedication isn’t just limited to product evolution; as the Global President of Women in AI, she champions diversity, inclusion, and gender equity in AI’s evolution. This commitment extends to her influential roles as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Women in Ethical AI platform and Governance Committee Chair at the Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Research Training in Machine Learning.

Celebrated for her profound contributions, she clinched the XV International Prize “Le Tecnovisionarie” in the AI – Industrial Research category in 2021.

Alessandra’s prior stint as the Head of Analytics Research at Nokia Bell Labs speaks volumes of her ability to drive transformative changes and strategic endeavors in the AI landscape.

Anne Carrigy: Chief Information Officer Logitech

Anne Carrigy – Steering The Digital Ship at Logitech

Anne Carrigy, an exceptional leader with an impressive tenure of over 30 years in consumer tech, presently steers the expansive global IT division of Logitech as its Chief Information Officer (CIO). Overseeing a dynamic team of 350 members across more than ten countries, her leadership is rooted in empowerment, trust, and collaboration, promoting an ethos where the collective outcome supersedes individual efforts.

Anne’s multifaceted background, transitioning from a stellar stint in supply chain management to IT, has imbued her with a holistic perspective. This unique viewpoint ensures that her approach to IT is firmly aligned with business imperatives, striking a judicious balance between service provision and IT empowerment.

As one of the women, representing just 19% of Fortune 500 CIOs, Anne is not only breaking glass ceilings but also fostering a more inclusive tech landscape. Testament to this commitment, a commendable 44% of her IT leadership team comprises women, highlighting her dedication to championing gender parity in the tech arena.

Christopher Muhr – The HealthTech Trailblazer

Leading the way in Europe’s burgeoning digi-physical healthtech sector is Christopher Muhr, the visionary CEO & Co-founder of Patient21. A German serial entrepreneur, Christopher stands out not only for his impressive ventures but also for his profound ability to seamlessly merge technology with the essential human touch. His recent triumph, securing a whopping €100 million in Patient21’s Series C, stands testament to this, marking it as 2023’s most significant European health platform investment.

Patient21 isn’t his first rodeo in the tech world, however. Christopher’s entrepreneurial brilliance has been demonstrated through successful exits from tech powerhouses like Groupon and Auto1. These ventures underline his innate knack for spotting market gaps and innovating for impactful change.

As Patient21 continues to harness tech and artificial intelligence to revolutionise healthcare, Christopher’s leadership remains a beacon for future entrepreneurs and the healthcare industry at large.

Kriti Sharma: Chief Product Officer, Legal Tech, Thomson Reuters

Kriti Sharma – The Legal Tech Maven

Kriti Sharma is more than just a tech aficionado; she’s a beacon in the world of artificial intelligence and its societal implications. Renowned for her inclusion in Forbes 30 under 30, Kriti’s groundbreaking contributions extend as the Chief Product Officer for Legal Tech at Thomson Reuters. But her zest for technology doesn’t stop there. She’s a Google Grace Hopper Scholar, a testament to her remarkable prowess, and a winner of the esteemed Google Women in Engineering Award.

Kriti’s voice resonates globally, her TED talk amassing over two million views, where she fervently champions the ‘AI for Good’ movement. Founded by Kriti in 2017, AI for Good is her brainchild that harnesses AI and data to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing issues – from combatting violence to addressing the climate crisis and enhancing mental health.

A revered contributor to prestigious publications like Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, and BBC, Kriti’s insights are both illuminating and indispensable.

Shailendra Mathur: Vice President & Chief Architect, Avid

Shailendra Mathur – The Media Tech Visionary

With a profound footprint in diverse tech arenas, Shailendra Mathur, Vice President and Chief Architect at Avid, is the mastermind behind the technology and architecture of Avid’s esteemed product line. With an incredible journey that spans a quarter of a century, he has been at the epicentre of cutting-edge technological advancements, playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the development of Avid.

His commitment to pushing technological boundaries is matched by his influence in the industry. Holding several patents, Shailendra’s expertise encompasses high-performance computing, AI, 4K/HDR, and computer vision technology.

His authoritative voice, reflected through various conferences, journals, and panels, anchors him as a global leader in media technology. As a titan in this realm, Shailendra’s leadership, knowledge, and vision make him an integral figure in defining the next phases of media technology evolution.

Chris Herd – The Future of Remote Work

Founder & CEO of Firstbase, Chris Herd stands at the vanguard of the global remote work transformation. Recognised as one of the leading innovators championing this shift, Chris’s conviction is grounded in the idea that employees should sculpt their optimal work environments. In line with this belief, he birthed Firstbase: a pioneering provisioning platform that supplies companies with the tools they need to seamlessly facilitate remote, hybrid, or in-office workforces. Chris’s journey with Firstbase, its successful fundraising endeavours, and its recognition in reputed media outlets underlines his visionary approach.

But his influence isn’t solely based on innovative products; he also shares wisdom and predictions on the evolving workplace landscape through “Against The Herd”, his influential LinkedIn Live series. This dialogue with other forward-thinking experts sheds light on contemporary work paradigms.

Supported by a substantial $50M Series B funding led by Kleiner Perkins and accolades from premier media outlets like The New York Times and Wired, Chris’s vision for the future of work is both revolutionary and pragmatically grounded.

Yonah Welker: Technological Explorer, Yonah.org

Yonah Welker – Bridging Tech and Humanity

At the nexus of technology and humanity, Yonah champions the cause of algorithmic diversity (eg. autism, mental health, cognitive and neurodivergence, etc). Drawing from diverse realms such as AI, robotics, and emerging learning, Yonah’s work delves into nuanced areas addressing human capacity, wellness, and social AI centred on inclusion.

Inspired by personal experiences, they have made over 60 global appearances to highlight the pressing issue of societal exclusion and the transformative potential of social technologies.

Beyond creating technologies and algorithms, Yonah has adeptly collaborated with national and international entities, ensuring that projects resonate with ethical and societal values. Their earlier roles are equally commendable; as co-founder of the Hardwaretech think tank, Yonah fostered collaboration at the intersection of algorithms and societal needs.

Accolades from the World Economic Forum and Forbes, along with influential roles in curating events like Summits of AI for Humanity, underscore Yonah’s unwavering commitment to an inclusive tech-driven world.

Zoltan Hardy: Founder & Startup Mentor, The Launch Code

Zoltan Vardy – The Enterprise Engagement Maestro

Standing as a paragon in the B2B tech landscape, Zoltan Vardy has a staggering 30-year career that showcases an impeccable blend of leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The mind behind ‘The Launch Code‘, Zoltan has honed a blueprint that has become instrumental for over 200 startups across 26 nations, driving predictable revenues and robust enterprise relationships.

His repertoire is diverse and influential: from leading as Senior Vice President at NBC Universal International to shaping regional strategies as CEO at ProSiebenSat1 Media.

In the entrepreneurial sphere, Zoltan has masterminded successful ventures like eEuropeMedia and made astute investments in pioneering entities like Brainient. His proficiency doesn’t stop there; today, Zoltan chairs Antavo, a leading enterprise loyalty SaaS.

Born in the US but globe-trotting between London and Budapest, Zoltan’s multi-faceted experiences, coupled with his unyielding dedication, make him a beacon of B2B excellence in the ever-evolving tech world.

Aro Dana: Full-stack developer, Founder and one of the world’s youngest CEOs, AK Group

Aro Dana – Kurdistan’s Teenage Tech Prodigy

As a Full-stack developer and founder of AK Group, Aro is making waves as one of the world’s youngest CEOs at age 16. Known in tech circles as AroKurd, he boasts an impressive six-year tenure in the domain. His prowess is evident and accolades are many, yet one stands out: in 2022, they clinched Iraq’s pinnacle spot in the Google HashCode competition, outshining numerous contenders to rank 389th on a global scale amidst a staggering pool of 120,000+ experts.

Beyond coding, Aro’s insights on youth potential took centre stage at TEDx in 2022 with his talk, “Age Doesn’t Matter.” A testament to talent transcending age, Aro is indeed a tech prodigy to watch.

Aro has challenged stereotypes and celebrated the limitless potential of youth. Juggling multiple ventures, freelancing worldwide, and being an inspiration to many, Aro Dana is undoubtedly a beacon for the future of technology.

Karolina Attspodina – The Greentech Innovator

Ukrainian tech virtuoso Karolina Attspodina has brilliantly melded innovation with a deep-seated commitment to sustainability. Her credentials span over a decade in the tech realm, where she’s delved into both SaaS and hardware sectors.

Her leadership was evident in the transformative TargetSummit, a conference spotlighting the shift from desktop services to a mobile-first experience. But her entrepreneurial prowess doesn’t stop there. Joining forces with Qian Qin, the ex-Managing Director of BSH Digital Ventures GmbH, she birthed WeDoSolar, a trailblazing greentech initiative. This venture offers a smart balcony solar solution, enabling users to drastically cut their grid energy dependence. The environmental impact is profound, potentially reducing an individual’s carbon footprint by 600kg – akin to preserving 1000m2 of forest. Financially, users can anticipate savings of up to 25% on annual electricity bills.

Karolina’s dedication to battling climate change through green innovations positions her at the forefront of sustainable tech solutions.

Ruth McGuinness: Head of Data & Artificial Intelligence, Kainos Group plc

Ruth McGuinness – The AI & Data Luminary

In the landscape of data and artificial intelligence, Ruth McGuinness’s contributions are nothing short of extraordinary. As the Head of Data & Artificial Intelligence at Kainos Group plc, a distinguished FTSE IT Services provider, Ruth guides an impressive cadre of over 150 specialists. With nearly a decade under their collective belt, Ruth and her team are at the forefront of responsible and ethical AI deployments, demonstrating a commitment to both innovation and integrity.

Before her leadership at Kainos, Ruth honed her expertise as the Emerging Technology Lead at PWC. There, she steered a dedicated team of 100 technologists, leveraging the potential of AI, data analytics, robotic process automation, and cloud technologies. Their mission was clear: drive efficiencies and catalyze revenue growth across multifaceted public and private organizations.

Further amplifying her influence in the tech realm, Ruth is a valued member of Microsoft’s Partner Advisory Council, focusing on Data, Analytics, and AI. Beyond her technical accolades, Ruth is a fervent advocate for women in technology, exemplifying both brilliance and passion.

With these luminaries and many more set to take the stage, DTS24 promises to be an enlightening and inspiring event. Stay tuned as we continue to unveil more speakers and sessions in the lead-up to the summit. Remember, tickets for DTS24 are now available with early bird pricing – don’t miss out!

🎟️ Secure your spot and be a part of where the world of technology convenes and evolves. 🎟️

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