Invitation to IXth International Conference Digital Europe 2024+

DIGITAL CZECH REPUBLIC 2024

IX. annual international conference

National House at Vinohrady in Prague, June 18-19, 2024

Basic Information:

Format: Two-day conference; hybrid format with online broadcast

Language: Czech; English

Participants: Members of the government, deputies, senators, representatives

of public administration - ministries, state agencies,professional

and interest organizations, academics,representatives of the

business environment and also the general public

Audience: 200 people each day

Broadcast: Czech News Agency, partner servers + social networks

Media coverage: TV, Czech News Agency, Hospodářské noviny, E15, Info.cz,

Lidové noviny, Metro and others

Partners: Google, Microsoft, T-Mobile, European Liberal Forum and others

Additional information: An accompanying exhibition focused on digitization (e.g.

Citizen's Portal, digital education tools, augmented and virtual

reality, robots, programming demonstration etc.

PROGRAM OF THE OPENING DAY OF THE DIGITAL CZECH REPUBLIC 2024

CONFERENCE

Subtitle: IS CZECH REPUBLIC DIGITAL YET?

Digitalization at the national level

08:30-09:00 Registration

09:00-09:05 Welcome Speech

09:05-09:30 Keynote Speakers

09:30-10:45 Economic Transformation as an Opportunity to Return to the First Economic League

10:45-12:00 Welcome to the World of Tomorrow with AI

12:00-12:50 Lunch

12:50-13:15 VIP TALK: Is the Czech Republic Digital Yet?

13:15-14:30 (In)Secure Cyberspace

14:30-14:45 Coffee Break

14:45-16:00 Digital Technologies and Their Role in State Defense

16:00-17:00 Networking

PROGRAM OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE DIGITAL CZECH REPUBLIC 2024

CONFERENCE

Subtitle: IS CZECH REPUBLIC DIGITAL YET?

Digitalization at the national level

08:30-09:00 Registration

09:00-09:05 Welcome Speech

09:05-09:30 Keynote Speakers

09:30-10:45 Digitalization of Education and Connection With the Labor Market

10:45-12:00 AI, Robots and Humans: A New Era of Professions

12:00-12:50 Lunch

12:50-13:15 VIP TALK:

13:15-14:30 eHealth as A Tool For Extending Life Span

14:30-14:45 Coffee Break

14:45-16:00 Digital Democracy

16:00-17:00 Networking

PANEL 1: IS CZECH REPUBLIC DIGITAL YET?

The Czech Republic is undergoing a development in which digital technologies become an

integral part of everyday life. In this transformation, the development of electronic identities,

such as Bank ID, plays a key role, allowing for quick and secure online identity verification.

Already a third of all Czechs have used this feature, and its potential continues to grow.

Digitization simplifies processes in many sectors, from banking to public administration,

contributes to the speed and efficiency of transactions, and paves the way for new forms of

digital communication. The potential of digitizing bureaucratic processes also lies in many

other spheres of the public and private sector. However, the question remains how effectively

and quickly the Czech Republic is transforming in favor of digital technologies and whether it

is legislatively flexible enough to adopt such changes.

Which sectors of the Czech economy benefit the most from digitization? What are the biggest

challenges and opportunities associated with the digitization of bureaucratic processes in

public administration? How can government institutions support and motivate citizens to make

more active use of digital services? How does the legislative framework support or hinder the

rapid adoption of new digital technologies?

PANEL 2: ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AS AN

OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO THE FIRST ECONOMIC

LEAGUE

Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotization, or the automation of work are frequently mentioned

terms that are becoming increasingly crucial in all areas of our lives, and their significance is

continually growing. Digital transformation is an opportunity for the Czech Republic to

modernize internally, transition to a knowledge-based economy, and create domestic

innovative enterprises with high added value.

The Czech industry is undergoing a transformation in all sectoral areas. The main goal is to

enable all industrial sectors to fully exploit the advantages of digital innovations for the

development of value-added products, adaptation of their business models, and maximization

of potential for growth in the digital economy. If the Czech Republic is to successfully

transform into a full-fledged digital economy, it is necessary to clearly define priority themes

that will lead to the achievement of this ambitious goal.

What challenges and opportunities do you see for business in relation to the development and

implementation of artificial intelligence? Which specific technological innovations associated

with artificial intelligence do you consider key in the process of economic transformation?

How do we compare with other countries? And can the Czech Republic utilize the potential of

AI? If so, in which areas? What challenges do we currently face?

PANEL 3: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW WITH

AI

The speed of artificial intelligence (AI) development is increasing every year, and its

application is finding a place in more and more societal areas. AI has penetrated not only the

private sector but also the public sector and influences various aspects of our lives. It is capable

of performing a range of activities such as data prediction and analysis, text and speech

recognition, to autonomous vehicle control and performing physical tasks in robotics. In

medicine and research, AI helps discover new drugs and improve healthcare. However, its

power lies in the ability to work with large amounts of data to identify patterns and predictions

and create simulations in an unbeatably short time. The ongoing development of AI leads to

further innovations and applications while also raising important questions regarding ethics,

responsibility, and privacy protection.

What are the main areas where AI has the greatest potential for use? What can be expected in

terms of the development of artificial intelligence? How is the debate on the ethical and moral

rules of AI going? And can future misuse of AI against people themselves be prevented at all?

PANEL 4: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR ROLE IN

DEFENSE OF THE STATE

In the 21st century, modern technologies, especially drones and autonomous systems, play a

crucial role in defense and warfare. These technologies bring revolutionary changes to how

combat operations are conducted, thanks to their ability to conduct reconnaissance,

surveillance, and attacks over long distances without directly endangering human lives. Drones

and autonomous systems increase the efficiency and precision of military interventions while

minimizing civilian casualties and risks to military personnel.

The use of advanced technologies in defense and conflicts paradoxically has the potential to

lead to peace and save human lives. Thanks to the accuracy and selectivity of drones and

autonomous systems, it is possible to target with greater certainty and minimize unwanted

damage to civilian objects and persons. This way of fighting means reducing overall violence

and supporting a faster end to conflicts. Thus, the discussion on modern technologies in the

defense sector should reflect their role not only in improving military efficiency but also in

contributing to a more ethical and humanitarian resolution of conflicts.

How can modern technologies such as drones and autonomous systems contribute to conflict

prevention and support peace operations at an international level? How can the international

community collaborate on the development and implementation of technological innovations

in defense that respect international humanitarian law and promote global security and

stability?

PANEL 5: (UN)SAFE CYBERSPACE

The online space is available to an increasing number of users, and its utilization is practically

unlimited today. The majority of Czechs use the internet, and the time when it served primarily

for email communication or reading online news is long gone. With the increasing number of

users, their vulnerability also increases. Security risks such as hacker attacks or theft of personal

and sensitive data are becoming an increasingly common problem not only for ordinary users

but also for companies and state institutions. Thus, cyberspace is becoming a place of many

dangers.

What are the main security threats in the online space, and how can potentially dangerous

situations be identified? What is the role of governments and international cooperation in

protecting cyberspace and combating cyber threats? What specific security measures can

individuals, companies, and governments take to protect themselves in cyberspace?

PANEL 6: DIGITALIZATION OF EDUCATION AND

CONNECTION WITH THE LABOR MARKET

The digitalization of education is transforming access to study, which also positively affects

the labor market, where digital skills are increasingly in demand. The COVID-19 pandemic

changed educational methods and emphasized the need for adaptation to technological changes

for both students and employees. Collaboration between educational institutions and employers

is crucial for the development of relevant skills that prepare graduates for the future

requirements of the labor market. Governments and schools should support digital literacy and

ensure equal access to educational resources so that all segments of the population can benefit

from the advantages of digitalization. This synergy between education, employers, and

technologies represents a cornerstone for building a resilient and competitive economy that can

efficiently respond to dynamic changes in the digital age.

How can we ensure accessibility to digital education for all students regardless of their

socioeconomic status? What skills and competencies will be needed from the perspective of the

future labor market? How can we support and motivate teachers to integrate digital

technologies into teaching and the development of their own digital skills? In what way should

cooperation between educational institutions, the state, and the private sector take place to

ensure the effective transfer of skills from the educational system into practice in the labor

market?

PANEL 7: THE FUTURE OF WORK. WHEN WILL WE STOP

WORKING?

In the era of Industry 4.0, the interplay of artificial intelligence and the work environment is

becoming a key topic. The rapid development of technologies is transforming the way we work

and raises fundamental questions regarding the future of certain professions. Automation and

artificial intelligence bring new dimensions to productivity but also pose challenges in the area

of changes in the skill spectrum and fair redistribution of job opportunities. A significant

question is how workers and organizations will adapt their practices and what skills will be

necessary for success in the new digital era. The dynamics between artificial intelligence and

the future of work will shape business, employment, and social structures in the coming years.

What will be the most significant impact of Industry 4.0 on the current skills of workers, and

what new skills will be necessary for success in a transformed work environment? Should the

state intervene in this process at all, or should everything be left to market mechanisms? And

what are the key elements of preparing workers and organizations for the new digital era of

work?

PANEL 8: EHEALTH AS A TOOL FOR EXTENDING LIFE SPAN

Electronic healthcare, or eHealth, is a trend that is especially gaining popularity in European

states. It refers to the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare and

includes a wide range of digital solutions and services aimed at improving healthcare provision

and patient outcomes and making medical processes more efficient. eHealth also offers the

potential to increase the quality and accessibility of healthcare while simultaneously reducing

costs. However, it raises important ethical, legal, and regulatory questions that need to be

addressed with the further development of these technologies. Moreover, it is also necessary to

consider the fact that not everyone has access to the technologies used by eHealth. Therefore,

the topic of electronic healthcare carries both tremendous potential and significant obstacles

for its potential users.

How should healthcare institutions and governments collaborate to maximize the potential of

eHealth while minimizing its negative impacts? How should eHealth regulation proceed to

ensure patient protection? How specifically can eHealth improve the quality of care provided

to patients? And what significant financial savings can the digitalization of healthcare bring?

The Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology

Minister Kristjan Järvana

Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology

Suur-Ameerika 1, 10122 Tallinn

Prague, 8th April 2024

Subject: Invitation to the conference Digital Czech Republic 2024

Dear Mr. Minister Kristjan Järvana,

On behalf of the Institute for Politics and Society and its partners, we would like to cordially

invite you to speak at the 9th International Conference Digital Czech Republic, which will

take place on 18-19 June 2024 in Národním domě na Vinohradech, Náměstí Míru 820/9, 120

00 Prague. The opening day of the conference will focus on digitalization from a national

perspective and the second day will focus on digitalization from a European perspective. The

working language of the conference is English. The conference will include an accompanying

exhibition focusing on digitisation and digital services.

It would be a great honor for us if you could grace us with your presence as a speaker in the

panel Digitalization of Education and Connection With the Labor Market, which will be held

on 19th June from 9:30 to 10:45. Please see the attached conference programme for more

information regarding this panel. Additionally, we would like to invite you to the Welcome

Dinner, which will take place on 17. June from 18:00 to 20:00 in Prague. The exact venue

will be specified.

We would like to inform you that during the conference we will provide you with

accommodation in a beautiful hotel in the centre of Prague and we will also reimburse

your travel expenses (economy class).

The conference is a social event with an international dimension and is regularly attended by

top political leaders from all over Europe. For example, past years of Digital Czech Republic

have been attended by Margrethe Vestager, Vice-President of the European

Commission, Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission, Belarusian

opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Dita Charanzová, Vice-President of the

European Parliament, Vice-President of the European Commission Dubravka Šuica, former

Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš, Estonian Minister of Health and

Labour Tanel Kiik, Morten Elbaek Petersen, Director of the innovative Danish public health

portal Sundhed.dk, and many other Czech and international guests.

In case you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my

colleagues, and we will gladly answer all your questions.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the conference.

Yours Sincerely

Šárka Shoup

Executive Director – Institute for Politics and Society

PANEL 6: DIGITALIZATION OF EDUCATION AND

CONNECTION WITH THE LABOR MARKET

The digitalization of education is transforming access to study, which also positively affects the

labor market, where digital skills are increasingly in demand. The COVID-19 pandemic

changed educational methods and emphasized the need for adaptation to technological changes

for both students and employees. Collaboration between educational institutions and employers

is crucial for the development of relevant skills that prepare graduates for the future

requirements of the labor market. Governments and schools should support digital literacy and

ensure equal access to educational resources so that all segments of the population can benefit

from the advantages of digitalization. This synergy between education, employers, and

technologies represents a cornerstone for building a resilient and competitive economy that can

efficiently respond to dynamic changes in the digital age.

How can we ensure accessibility to digital education for all students regardless of their

socioeconomic status? What skills and competencies will be needed from the perspective of the

future labor market? How can we support and motivate teachers to integrate digital

technologies into teaching and the development of their own digital skills? In what way should

cooperation between educational institutions, the state, and the private sector take place to

ensure the effective transfer of skills from the educational system into practice in the labor

market?