As per the show’s theme, AI and exponential intelligence took centre stage, where speakers showcased its potential to transform various sectors through seamless integration.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its expanding horizons

In the Main Auditorium, the session on ‘AI Secrets for Marketing’ revealed how AI tools can optimise marketing strategies, enhance customer engagement, and drive growth. This was followed by a discussion on ‘E-commerce Giants meet AI-Pioneers: innovation unlocked’ where leaders from the e-commerce and AI sectors explore the ever-evolving landscape of innovation.

Navigating AI in business

Rhett Power, CEO at Accountability inc., spoke about integrating AI tools into businesses, discussing the transformative potential of AI in automating tasks and enhancing data analysis. Emphasis was placed on fostering a culture of innovation and openness to change within organisations, and the importance of monitoring and iterating AI implementations.

Generative AI in healthcare and media

Oracle and NVIDIA’s talk on generative AI's potential to shorten drug discovery times and create personalised content was a particular highlight. The session also showcased how partnerships are crucial for cost-effective and efficient development, but specialised hardware and software are also needed to accelerate AI development.

The intersection of enterprises and startups

Collaboration between large enterprises and startups was a recurring theme, and speakers emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between these entities to drive innovation.

In the talk ‘Bridging the gap between enterprises and entrepreneurs with open innovation, speakers Diego Calascibetta, Group VP of Business Development and Parnerships at Santander and Leo Lubrano, Technology Specialist at IBM, shared successful case studies and discussed challenges such as navigating corporate bureaucracy. The role of technology in addressing global challenges was also a key focus, underscoring the importance of cultural alignment and transparency.

Robocalypse: the future of human-machine integration

In one of the more futuristic sci-fi-esque sessions, ‘Robocalypse’, Speaker José Luis Cordeiro made bold predictions about the future, suggesting humans might achieve immortality by 2045 through advancements like brain uploading and BMI (brain-machine interfaces). This session sparked lively discussions about the ethical implications and the future of human cognition and intelligence.

Energy AI: insights from Repsol and Microsoft

Energy consumption in the AI era was a hot topic in the ‘Leveraging the full potential of AI in the energy sector: Repsol generative AI competence centre’ session. Repsol and Microsoft highlighted their successful implementation of AI to enhance productivity and discussed the importance of change management, ethics, and compliance. They stressed the need for the energy system to adapt to the increasing consumption driven by GenAI technologies.

Ethics and AI: Balancing Competitiveness and Responsibility

The ‘AI ethics and AI for humanity’ session delved into the challenges of maintaining ethical standards while staying competitive. Here the speakers emphasised transparency, explainability, and cultural transformation. They advocated for responsible AI, transformation of the educational system, and involving all ages in promoting creativity through AI-generated content.

AI in the arts: creative and ethical dimensions

Discussions on AI's role in arts and creativity highlighted ethical considerations, data security, and digital empowerment. Experts stressed the need for ethical AI development and managing data privacy. This session underscored the importance of balancing innovation with ethical standards.

CIOs and the evolving AI landscape

CIOs from various industries discussed the opportunities and challenges of AI implementation. They highlighted the need for effective communication, change management, and ethical considerations. L'Oreal's journey towards a digital and data-driven approach was also shared, focusing on prioritising use cases and enhancing marketing efforts through AI.

Projections and trends in AI

Day two concluded with a discussion on the future of AI and what’s next for the technology.

The conversation revolved around the implementation and potential of AI in various industries, including aerospace, water management, and IoT. The panel of speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities of AI implementation, as well as the growing trend of AI applications in small devices.

The complex relationship between data, AI, and humanity was also explored, with a focus on data privacy and security, and the importance of teaching AI what is easy for humans and hard for machines. The speakers also highlighted the potential of data-driven initiatives in supply chain optimisation.

Day Two at DES 2024 showcased a rich and informative overview of AI's current state and future directions, enabling a rich exchange of ideas and best practices.