From networking events and panel discussions to fireside chats and an eye-opening workshop, the The Visiting Entrepreneurs Program of the City of Sydney covers the hottest conversations in tech, from AI to sustainability.

This month, Sydney brings together some of the world’s leading international entrepreneurs and technology experts for its annual program of free events on the technologies that are changing our world.

Beginning Wednesday, June 21, major venues in downtown’s Tech Central Precinct will host sessions featuring a prestigious lineup of speakers including Canadian-based technofuturist and founder of Future Memory Inc. Galit Ariel, co-founder of the Blitz Scaling Academy Chris Yeh, CEO of Quantum movement James Palles-Dimmock, Director of Technology for Microsoft Accessibility and author Dona Sarkar, and co-founder and CEO of Plan A Lubomila Jordanova.

Produced by the City of Sydney with partner organizations from the local startup ecosystem and supported by Tech Central and the Major Cities Committeethe Sydney tech events program covers topics such as artificial intelligence, generative and quantum technology and sustainability, delving deeper into the ideas, trends and technologies that are disrupting our society and economies.

At a crossroads with AI and disruption

This year’s theme, Crossroads: hype x disruption, addresses some of the hottest topics of conversation in technology right now. The visiting entrepreneurs will explore which technology trends will survive the hype, how they can promote inclusion and equitable impact, and how to separate the opportunity from the noise.

Said one of this year’s visiting entrepreneurs Chris Yesthe rise in interest in artificial intelligence is the most profound change our society has experienced in the past two centuries.

“AI is perhaps the most profound wave of technology since the industrial revolution,” Chris tells Startup Daily. “As a society, we will have more productivity, more jobs and a better everyday life.”

While Chris warns of short-term turbulence, such as the disappearance of certain professions and investments, he believes our society is best placed to deal with it.

“The timing of this year’s Visiting Entrepreneur Program is perfect,” says Chris. “AI is not even the only revolution underway, with continued post-pandemic developments in genomics and synthetic bio.

“Now is the perfect time to learn about and embrace the future.”

Think like a technofuturist

This year’s program kicks off with an exciting launch event on Wednesday, June 21. The technology we all deservepresented by renowned technofuturist Galit Ariel, explores the impact of technology on our lives and future, followed by a Q&A session led by Holly Ransom.

“We are experiencing ‘everything, together, all at once’ in emerging technologies, with accelerated cycles and premises, from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, real-time and immersive technology,” explains Galit.

This session is an opportunity to hear from one of the most innovative minds in technology about understanding the unique opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of the current wave of revolutionary technologies.

Amid the rapid proliferation of technology we are currently seeing in society, the Canadian-based technofuturist urges everyone to step back and reexamine the ways technology enriches or inhibits our daily lives.

“I’m looking forward to the mixed audience – not just tech developers, agencies and service providers, but citizens, users and curious people,” says Galit. “They are at the core of this industry and should actively participate in the deliberations and discussions about the future of technology.”

The program in short:

• Launch event: the technology we all deserve with Galit Ariel, Wednesday, June 21, 12:00 – 2:00 PM.
• Promoting climate innovation through collaboration and AI with Lubomila Jordanova, Wednesday June 21, 4:30 – 7:00 pm.
• Quantum in motion with James Palles-Dimmock, Wednesday, June 21, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
• Creating responsible AI solutions: a discovery workshop with Galit Ariel, Thursday, June 22, 12:30 – 3:30 PM.
• Hypergrowth & AI: spotting opportunities through the noise with Chris Yeh, Thursday, June 22, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
• The future happened yesterday: a story of tomorrow with Galit Ariel, Monday, June 26, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
• Building Tomorrow: Discussing Blockchain Innovations with Galit Ariel, Tuesday, June 27, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
• Using artificial intelligence for good with Dona Sarkar, Tuesday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Responsible AI: doing it right with Dona Sarkar, Wednesday, June 28, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

The 2023 Visiting Entrepreneur Program delves into technologies such as AI, XR, avatars, biotech, green tech, cryptocurrency, NFT and generative arts, and the Metaverse.

For more details about each session and the visiting entrepreneurs, view the full program and reserve your spot now.

This article is brought to you by Startup Daily in partnership with City of Sydneysupported by Tech Central and the Major Cities Committee.