Pioneers, an organization that establishes relationships between tech innovators, will welcome speakers from the United Nations to their upcoming events in Vienna in May.

The first event hosted by Pioneers, GovTech.Pioneers, will see Irakli Beridze of the UNICRI agency speaking about the role of AI and robotics in the UN on May 23. 

Beridze leads the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Unit (UNICRI), an agency that promotes national self-reliance and the development of institutional capabilities in the fields of crime prevention and justice. At GovTech.Pioneers, he will present his talk “AI in the UN: Solving Global Issues and Minimizing Risks.”

“In these times, more and more stakeholders are affected by AI and the awareness among governments rises. While the technology bears huge potential, it also comes with considerable risks, which we are going to observe and put a spotlight on,” he said.

On May 24 and 25, at Pioneers’18, UNICEF’s Chris Fabian will present a talk, together with the Irish ONE Foundation, on Block chain’s role in helping manage the very topical theme of humanitarian rights and refugees.

Chris Fabian, who co-founded the Innovation Unit at UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), will represent the UN.

His advice is on open-source overlaps of tech, design, development, startups, and academia. He also works with UNICEF Ventures, which co-operates with industries to demonstrate how certain technologies are capable of having a positive impact on the lives of children.

Fabian is currently working with Lye Ogunsanya – the Portfolio Manager of the ONE Foundation. Ogunsanya has earned the credit of initiating several innovation projects in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

As a team, Fabian and Ogunsanya work on ground-breaking projects, such as the Humanitarian Change Maker Labs, centered around the Za’atari, one of the biggest refugee settlements in the world, and the Azraq refugee camps in Jordan and how latest technologies can create a better life for those living there.

 

Two aspects are of special relevance to the Pioneers community, providing access to the huge UN network and participating in the educational, training, and mentoring programs initiated and organized by the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. “For the first time in the history of the UN, we are organizing these courses, which take place all over the world.”

Attendees at the Pioneers’18’s flagship event at the Hofburg Imperial Palace will be presented with elements of GovTech within the event’s broad programme of breakthrough technologies, the theme of this year being “Blurred Frontiers”.

And here, in sync with the event’s goal of redefining human and technological frontiers, a UN speaker and the strategic head of the Dublin-based ONE Foundation will discuss strategic responses to the refugee crisis.

Startups interested in attending can apply here for GovTech.Pioneers applications and here for Pioneers’18 applications. The last date for the open call is March 31st, so hurry. Click here to get tickets for GovTech.Pioneers and Pioneers’18.

Founded in 2009 in Vienna, Pioneers establishes and facilitates direct, meaningful business relationships between startups, corporate executives, and investors to foster growth and innovation. It is the ultimate one-stop-hub for global tech innovators to access high-value, curated, and qualified data of early and Series A European startups.

Pioneers offers various platforms to help redefine industries, develop future technologies, and introduce cutting-edge solutions. Its services include digital services, consultancy, ventures services, events, and inspirational, tailor-made offline experiences. Its flagship event takes place annually in the 500-year-old Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna and brings together a community of 2,500 founders, investors, executives, and public sector representatives from over 100 nations.