5 most exciting things to watch out for at TNW Conference 2018

The most popular tech conference of Amsterdam in the Netherlands – TNW Conference – will kick off this year on the day after tomorrow. Consequently, the global tech industry is all excited to flood the two-day event with the best announcements and sessions possible.

The TNW 2018 is a perfect place for networking, as this year reportedly more than 15,000 business visitors will be present at the event. Here today at Silicon Canals, we have compiled a list of all the interesting stuff that’s is going to happen at the event and the exhilarating sessions you just can’t afford to miss.

Let’s take a look at the things at the top of the agenda.

#1 Google and Microsoft will talk about AI and robots

The biggest tech tycoons including Google and Microsoft will be firing up the event with the nerve-wracking sessions by their top officials on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Cassie Kozyrkov, Chief Decision Scientist, Google will share her thoughts on the decision intelligence engineering, which means the emerging discipline that focuses on using machine learning and AI to improve the businesses.

On the other hand, Ames Whittaker, Technical Evangelist, Microsoft will have an interesting session on the impact of human coexistence with the machines smarter than ourselves. He will talk about how the technology will evolve in generations to come and what influence it will have on future of social structures and economic institutions.

#2 Building Blockchain applications and more

The conference will also have a workshop with Edward Ciggaar, IBM where tech enthusiasts can learn the basics of permissioned blockchains and they can also learn how to build their very own blockchain application. The tutorial to increase the blockchain skills will include the use of Hyperledger Composer framework to model their own business network, which will then be deployed onto a Hyperledger Fabric network.

The demos and code in this talk will be linked to a fictive use case of how blockchain technology could be applied in a real-world scenario.

#3 David Ryan Polgar and Joe Leonardo from Funny As Tech 

For those who do not know, David Ryan Polgar and Joe Leonardo co-hosts the NYC-based monthly live panel show — ‘Funny as Tech.’ This show is a mixture of deep thoughts and belly laughs as writer and technology ethicist Polgar shoots the breeze with comedian Leonardo who is a performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

It’s a not-to-be-missed session for comedy nerds at TNW 2018, as the duo will discuss the big blunders from big tech companies that didn’t quite make a splash.

#4 Chivas Venture, Richard Ayoade & will.i.am!

For the first time, ever, the Global Final of the annual Chivas Venture competition will be held at TNW Conference 2018. The Chivas Venture gives away $1million in no-strings funding every year to the most promising social startups from around the world. This month, 27 global finalists of the Chivas Venture will go head-to-head in a series of quarter and semi-final pitches in Amsterdam.

On May 24th, the top 5 will pitch on the TNW main stage for a chance to win a share of the funding. Hosted by BAFTA award-winning comedian, Richard Ayoade, the grand finalists will have just five minutes to impress the expert judging panel including will.i.am.

#5 Tech5 2018 winner’s announcement

Tech5, the annual competition organised by TNW and tech finance scaleup Adyen will announce the final winner for the title of “Fastest growing tech company in Europe” for 2018. The six key countries competing for the title are Germany, UK, Spain, France, Sweden and The Netherlands. The winners from the best of these six markets will be announced over dinner at The Next Web Conference 2018.

Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for latest updates on the upcoming tech conference and more.