3 Takeaways from Web Summit 2023

Last November, our web developer, Martin Choquette Scott, flew to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend Web Summit, the true mecca of the digital world, bringing together more than 70,000 participants from every corner of the globe. This event, renowned as the most important in the world in the technology space, was the stage for captivating discussions on artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, all fuelled by the presence of more than 2,600 innovative young companies.

Today, we share some of the reflections that have stayed with Martin since his return home.

1. Legitimate concerns, despite remarkable advances

Opinions on the implications of AI for our daily lives and the growing role these technologies will play in the years ahead are coming from all directions. While many are optimistic about its benefits, it is worth highlighting a few reservations related to ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and AI governance that were brought to light during numerous presentations at Web Summit.

One of the key moments of the event was the presentation by Meredith Whittaker, a former Google employee and president of Signal Foundation, who shared her concerns about the lack of democratization in the field of AI.

« I think my fears are less about the technology itself than about the fact that it is being developed and controlled by a small number of large companies whose interests are, of course, corporate interests, namely profit, growth, and shareholder satisfaction, not necessarily social good, » said Whittaker, who also co-founded the AI Now Institute.

« The AI they sell, license, create, and deploy requires enormous amounts of data, requires enormous amounts of computing power, and effectively reinforces and extends the surveillance business model, which is at the heart of so many concerns in the world regarding irresponsible technology. »

On the other hand, artificial intelligence is contributing to promising innovations, particularly in the field of health. For example, MediRapp AG is transforming ultrasound diagnostics by automating everything from data collection to diagnosis and report generation. With AI, MediRapp makes the entire process faster, more accurate, and more efficient, while also significantly improving patient care. It is an excellent demonstration of how AI can process nearly unlimited amounts of data and deliver analysis that improves the quality of outcomes and supports better decision-making.

2. The rise of the Internet of Things

Whether it is a watch, a home appliance, or a car, connected objects are and will be increasingly present in our daily lives. Artificial intelligence has triggered a profound transformation of the Internet of Things, accelerating the number of applications for these connected devices. The fact that your refrigerator may soon prepare your grocery list and send it to the retailer so it is ready Saturday morning is already impressive in itself.

However, one of the most impressive innovations lies in the future of linguistic interaction. Unbabel, an AI company offering translation services, unveiled a new project called Unbabel Halo, a wearable device combining predictive artificial intelligence and biological sensors to help individuals communicate through their thoughts. During a presentation, Vasco Pedro, co-founder and CEO of the organization, demonstrated how the device works in real time, taking questions from the audience and responding via WhatsApp messages displayed on the large screen, without ever typing or speaking.

This type of technology opens breathtaking horizons. Not only does it promise to facilitate communication between people speaking different languages, but it could also become a valuable tool for those with severe speech difficulties. The company also plans to develop the device for patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and other physical disabilities so they can communicate with loved ones after losing their ability to speak or move.

3. Education: a blind spot?

The arrival of artificial intelligence in education is sparking debate and raising questions, both around plagiarism and around errors that the technology can produce without the user’s knowledge. Many nonetheless believe that students must be prepared to use this tool (since its use cannot always be prevented) by integrating it into the practice of teachers.

Divya Gokulnath, co-founder of Byju’s, said she had seen « a positive disruption from AI in education over the years, » refuting the idea that technology is smarter than an educator trained to master it.

At best, AI is an excellent support tool for a teacher, for example. The reason is that the AI assistant has the potential to take on routine tasks that need to be done, allowing the teacher to focus on pedagogy with students and on developing core (or fundamentally human) skills.

Artificial intelligence, a technology that now seems firmly established, is as revolutionary as the arrival of the Web a few decades ago. Knowing that children learn at an incredible speed, teaching them to use this tool in order to better master its workings now seems essential.