Qualysoft at ANIS International Summit 2024

 

Last week, our colleagues from Qualysoft attended the ANIS International Summit 2024. The event brought together over 30 local and international experts from both the private and public sectors. The agenda was packed with trending topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, innovation, education, and the future of work, making it a leading event in the IT industry.

 

Opening of the Summit

The summit began with a warm welcome from Corina Vasile, the Executive Director of ANIS Romania, followed by an insightful opening speech by Bogdan Ivan, the Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization. The structure of the summit included four main panels, each designed to dig deep into important areas affecting the IT landscape nowadays:

 

1. Cybersecurity Panel - Our colleague, Radu Postolache, ANIS Board Member, facilitated and guided the Cybersecurity Panel titled - "How to stay safe in today’s digital environment." With cyber threats growing larger by the day, this panel revealed strategies to enhance digital safety. This discussion emphasized a proactive strategy and highlited the importance of education and a balanced regulatory framework to secure our digital future.

 

Key takeaways

• Balancing Innovation and Regulation - The panelists discussed the intricate balance required between maintaining agility in technological innovation and navigating the complex web of regulations. This balance is important for sustaining an environment that supports rapid technological advancement while ensuring robust security measures are in place to protect these innovations.
• Community-Wide Strategy - A major theme was the need for a community-wide strategy to cybersecurity, emphasizing that cyber resilience should extend beyond businesses to include the entire population. This approach involves developing strategies that ensure secure operations across all areas of society, thereby strengthening the overall security environment.
• Focus on Education and Awareness - The importance of enhanced cybersecurity education and awareness was highlighted. It's vital to educate both the public and organizations about the risks and preventive measures necessary to protect data. The panel stressed the need for continuous training and staying updated to effectively counter the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape.

 

2. AI Panel - Moderated by Edward Crețescu, ANIS President, this session focused on strategies and regulations in the EU and Transatlantic Region, discussing the delicate balance of fostering innovation while ensuring privacy and security.

 

Key Insights

The AI panel discussion at the summit focused on developing strategies and regulations to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of society and the economy. 

• Smart and Flexible Regulation - There's a common on the need for intelligent, adaptable regulations that promote innovation while ensuring safety and ethical standards. Collaborative efforts across EU countries are essential to avoid fragmentation within the internal market, which could inhibit the seamless integration and advancement of AI technologies.
• Education and Awareness - Increasing general awareness and understanding of AI technologies is vital. Educational initiatives should aim to demystify AI and foster an informed public that can leverage with these technologies responsibly and beneficially.
• Solid Investments - The financial backing for AI research and development is an important area to focus on. The panel highlighted the vast potential for a high return on investment in AI. Preliminary data suggests that for every dollar invested in AI, there is a return of approximately $4. This underscores the economic viability and the transformative potential of investing in artificial intelligence.

 

3. Innovation Panel - Radu Puchiu, Technology & Society Program Director at Aspen Institute, steered this panel on how to effectively finance and guide innovation within the EU.

 

Highlights

The Innovation Panel emphasized the importance of strategic investment in technology and education, along with the need for a regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation in the IT sector.

• Keeping Pace with Innovation - The swift advancement of technology demands that businesses and governments stay ahead of new developments to remain competitive. This requires not only awareness but also the ability to quickly integrate new technologies into existing frameworks.

• Balancing Regulation and Growth - Finding the optimal blend of regulation, funding, and strategic initiatives is crucial to fostering an environment that supports innovation. This balance is key to enhancing the primary drivers of competitiveness within the industry.

• Economic Impact of the IT Sector - The IT sector has seen significant growth over recent decades, now contributing 8% to the national GDP. This underscores its role as a major player in the economic landscape.

• Challenges in Technology Adoption - Despite the growth, challenges persist with Romania's low ranking in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the overall low adoption of new technologies. Addressing these issues is critical for broader technological integration.

• Leveraging the Workforce - Romania's significant advantage is its skilled workforce. There is a pressing need to invest heavily in educational programs—skilling, reskilling, and attracting top talent—to capitalize on this asset and meet future industry demands.

• Fostering Collaboration through Partnerships - Encouraging public-private partnerships and creating incentives for private sector investment in research and development are essential. These efforts will cultivate a more robust innovation ecosystem, driving further advances and economic benefits.

 

4. Education & Work Panel Discussion - This session, moderated by Radu Burnete of Concordia Employers' Confederation, explored how education systems can be adapted to meet the demands of tomorrow's job market. The Education & Work Panel at the summit provided thoughtful perspectives on preparing for the shifting dynamics of work and technology.

 

Key takeaways

• Focus on Long-Term Flexibility - Education should not just prepare individuals for current technological demands but should instill a mindset of adaptability and continuous learning to keep pace with future innovations. This approach ensures that the workforce remains versatile and capable of embracing new technologies as they emerge.

• Equitable Integration of Technology - As technology becomes increasingly integrated into educational settings, it's vital to ensure access is universal. This requires an equitable approach to educational technology, ensuring it benefits all students and does not widen existing disparities.

• Addressing the Digital Divide - There's a notable link between access to digital tools, participation in the labor market, and overall economic productivity. Bridging the digital divide is essential for fostering inclusive economic growth and enabling broader workforce participation.

• Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships - The future of skills development relies heavily on robust collaborations between the public and private sectors. These partnerships are crucial for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring that educational programs align with evolving industry needs.

These insights highlight the importance of a forward-thinking, inclusive approach to education that prepares individuals not just for the jobs of today but for adapting to the technological landscapes of the future.

 

The ANIS Awards Gala 2024

The ANIS Awards Gala 2024 concluded the summit with a grand celebration, honoring the best-performing IT companies and their groundbreaking projects from the past year. The competition was high, with 85 exceptional entries raising the bar in terms of innovation and making the selection process challenging for the jury.

Winners of the IT Industry Excellence Awards 2024

Congratulations to all the winners who have set new benchmarks in the IT industry:

🏆Education Program of the Year: Brio.ro, Kinderpedia, LIVRESQ and Magic School with A.E.R - Alliance for Remedial Education

🏆ESG Program of the Year: Societe Generale Global Solution Center Romania - "ESG PRACTICE"

🏆Innovation of the Year: dotLumen - Empowering the Blind with "Spatial Navigation AI through Glasses for the Blind"

🏆StartUp of the Year: Bonapp.eco

🏆R&D Program of the Year: .lumen with "Spatial Navigation AI through Glasses for the Blind"

🏆Software Outsourcing Project of the Year: Qualysoft with "Indonesia Digital Tax Administration System"

🏆Software Product of the Year: Adobe Romania with "Adobe Express"

 

For sustained involvement in the ANIS activity throughout the year, the following companies and contributions were also rewarded:
🥇Company of the Year: AROBS TransilvaniaSoftware
🥇Member of the Year: SeedBlink
🥇Best Personal Contribution: Madalin Staniu - Black Bullet

 

Congratulations to the winners and standing ovations to all the participants for raising the bar and the industry standards.

We look forward to seeing what groundbreaking projects and developments the next year brings.