An international line-up of expert speakers has been announced for one of Ireland’s biggest tech events taking place next week.
The AtlanTec Festival 2020 will be held online from 18 May and will feature researchers from NUI Galway who are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with solutions such as applying AI.
Over 30 online events will delve into hot-topics in tech and digital innovation – and business leaders, entrepreneurs and technologists, among others, will be able to connect from wherever they are in the world.
There will also be a fun social element with a Tech Quiz on 20 May.
“In light of the pandemic restrictions and reflecting a changed world, the AtlanTec Festival has adapted and this year we are going virtual,” said Caroline Cawley, Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit ITAG which runs the event.
“Our mission is to promote, strengthen and grow the information technology industry along the Wild Atlantic Way.
“It’s a credit to all involved here locally and to our speakers from around the world that we are adopting tech — to talk tech — and pushing ahead with such a mammoth event.”
Now in its sixth year, the festival usually takes places around various Galway venues with in-company events hosted by large tech companies and start-ups in the region.
The festival normally ends with a day-long conference at NUI Galway with up to 400 attendees.
Fiona Neary, Innovation Operations Manager with NUI Galway’s Innovation Office, will moderate sessions on the university’s COVID-19 research responses and start-ups in the region.
“The west of Ireland has a vibrant ICT sector with particular strengths in enterprise software.
“We have the perfect mix of third-level education institutes, high-potential start-ups and supports, innovative indigenous companies and multinational corporations. What we also have is some amazing people with incredible knowledge and insights to share.
“It’s so great to get together again for AtlanTec – even if it’s to be virtually this year,” she said.
Free registration is open now at www.atlantec.ie
