Web Summit: ten speakers not to be missed on the second day

The days in Web Summit are always filled so it is advisable to have an agenda so as not to get lost among so many offers. Thinking of the thousands of participants who will be in Parque das Nações for the second day of the event (but also those who will follow on social networks), ECO has prepared a list of ten speakers not to be missed this Tuesday.

1. Michel Barnier, chief negotiator of Brexit

It’s not technology, but it’s one of the most anticipated presences on the second day. Michel Barnier, Brexit’s chief negotiator representing the European Union, will speak from 11.30 a.m. (on the main stage) about Europe after the UK’s divorce from the EU. He is the man “in the heart of the Brexit” and whose presence will, however, depend on the ongoing negotiations that have led to the deadline being postponed again to 31 January.

2. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

He is currently the executive chairman of the Institute for Global Change, but was also Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and is a strong critic of Brexit. In light of the postponement of the divorce until next year and the scheduling of early elections on 12 December, Tony Blair will talk about the “never-ending story” of Brexit and what he considers the UK to do next. It’s from 15:40, on stage Future Societies.

3. George Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece

Still, in the field of politics and the future of Europe, the refugee crisis is not an issue that can be devalued. At a time when there are more than 30 million refugees around the world and the crisis that began in 2015 still has no solution in sight, experts in the field will explain what can be done to help. And they ask: “why hasn’t technology done more?”. Former Prime Minister of Greece, George Papandreou, will join UNHCR’s chief of digital engagement, Mike Walton, at 11:50, on the Future Societies stage.

4. Katherine Maher, Wikipedia CEO

Leaving politics, but keeping the theme of openness, Wikipedia’s CEO, Katherine Maher, is also one of the most anticipated presences. The manager will defend, on the main stage from 16:40, that “the future we build has to be open”. She will address issues such as how technology can become more open, at a time when the internet shows the value and impact of openness, but also that this is not enough. “Open doesn’t mean the same or accessible to everyone,” he says.

5. Liat Ben Zur, Corporate Vice President of Modern Life, Search & Devices of Microsoft

Liat Ben-Zur, Corporate Vice President of Modern Life, Search & Devices at Microsoft, will also talk about the future of the web. At 1:50 p.m. on the PandaConf stage will share the vision of the world’s most valuable listed company on the renewal of web investment to offer the best possible browser and online research experience.

6. David Eun, chief innovation officer of Samsung Electronics

Microsoft is not the only giant to share strategies this Tuesday. David Eun, chief innovation officer of Samsung Electronics and president of Samsung NEXT will be on the main stage at 12:35 p.m. with a very different theme: “What makes a house a home?”. Eun will talk about Samsung’s plans for a new wave of innovation that will transform increasingly networked homes into smart homes of the future.

7. Barbara Martin Coppola, chief digital officer of IKEA

Still on the theme of the houses will go on stage (PandaConf, at 11:25) Barbara Martin Coppola, chief digital officer of IKEA. The company’s retail business is changing and Coppola will address how data analysis is revolutionizing the company’s low-cost furniture business.

8. Manik Gupta, Uber’s chief product officer

From homes and consumption, we move on to mobility. Uber’s chief product officer, Manik Gupta, will share his four years’ experience in the company and his vision of what he expects for the platform as an operating system for city life. The talk “The road ahead of Uber” will take place on the main stage, at 2 pm.

9. Rohit Prasad, VP & Head Scientist for Amazon Alexa

Alexa’s virtual assistance will also be an important topic at the conference. The evolution from keyword search to conversations established by artificial intelligence will be addressed by Rohit Prasad, vice president and head scientist of Amazon’s Alexa Artificial Intelligence, on the main stage at 3:30 p.m. to share the perspective on how Alexa has changed in the five years since launch, as well as advances and democratization of artificial intelligence.

10. Zander Lurie, SurveyMonkey CEO

“Feedback is persuasive, public and powerful”. This is the premise of Zander Lurie, CEO of SurveyMonkey, who will be on the PandaConf stage at 10:45 a.m. to talk about how to sell in the feedback economy. The full transparency of social networks, coupled with the human desire to be heard, have made feedback the centrepiece of the company’s activity, which believes that listening and reacting allow it to win in this model.