Web Summit Kicks Off in Lisbon with Pharrell Williams and AI Critic Max Tegmark
Event Overview
One of Europe’s biggest tech events, Web Summit, launched on Monday in Lisbon, Portugal, with pop superstar Pharrell Williams among those taking to the stage. The event runs until Thursday, with over 3,000 start-ups pitching their products to 1,000 investors, and 70,000 visitors taking part in events and debates.
Launch Event Highlights
The launch event included speeches from Portuguese politicians, entrepreneurs, and a discussion on artificial intelligence, which is expected to be the dominant theme of the event. Prominent AI critic Max Tegmark, President of Future of Life Institute, renewed his warnings that humanity was doomed if it failed to pass stiff regulations before the emergence of artificial general intelligence – a notional superintelligent AI able to dominate humans.
Tegmark criticized the narrative that pitted great powers against each other in a competition to dominate the field, commenting: "It’s not an arms race between the US and China, it’s a suicide race."
Pharrell Williams’ Keynote
Williams, singer of "Happy" and winner of many Grammy awards, rounded off the night with a wide-ranging discussion about his early life, inspirations, and hopes for the future. "The American dream is not about making the most money," he said. Instead, he called for a "human dream" that "should be about spending the most time doing something that you love," getting raucous cheers from the audience.
Controversy and Organizers’ Response
Organizers were keen to move on from last year’s edition when Google, Meta, and a string of other firms pulled out after Web Summit chief executive Paddy Cosgrave accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Cosgrave stepped down but has since returned to his post. On the opening night, he did not address the controversy, saying simply: "It’s good to be back."
Conclusion
The Web Summit has kicked off in Lisbon, bringing together some of the biggest names in tech and entrepreneurship. With AI expected to be a dominant theme, the event promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking experience for attendees. Pharrell Williams’ keynote speech was a highlight of the launch event, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one’s passions and not just financial gain.
FAQs
- What is the Web Summit?
- The Web Summit is one of Europe’s biggest tech events, bringing together start-ups, investors, and entrepreneurs to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry.
- Who is Pharrell Williams?
- Pharrell Williams is a multiple-Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, known for hits like "Happy" and "Get Lucky".
- What is the main theme of the Web Summit?
- The main theme of the Web Summit is artificial intelligence, with many speakers and panels expected to focus on the potential and challenges of AI.
- What happened last year at the Web Summit?
- Last year, Google, Meta, and a string of other firms pulled out of the Web Summit after the event’s chief executive accused Israel of war crimes in Gaza.