During the conference, experts will discuss the impact of these technologies, as well as, debate the various current and future applications of blockchain and AI. The conference will also look at the relevant legal frameworks, with a particular focus on Malta.

“We are delighted to be hosting the ‘Blockchain & AI: Where are they taking us?’ conference,” says Mark Azzopardi from Working Town Events. “Blockchain and AI are set to change our lives — but what do we know about these technologies and what can we expect their impact to be? Have they already had a profound and irreversible effect? This useful and enjoyable conference hopes to answer these questions and more, for those looking to deliver services related to these sectors as well as those who just wish to learn the basics,” Mr Azzopardi adds.

The two-day event will include talks, forums and panel discussions with experts including Helen Burrows, Aviya Arika, Soulla Louca, Godfrey Baldacchino, Joseph Anthony Debono, Claudia Borg, Gordon Pace, Stephanie Fabri, David Galea, Philip Maurice Mifsud, Luis Pallares, Abigail Mamo, Béatrice Collet, Denise De Gaetano, Luis Pallares, Helga Pizzuto, Mark Mallia, Darren Parkin, François Grech, Leonard Bonello, Malcolm Falzon, Ian Gauci, Damian Mifsud and James Muscat Azzopardi.

Working Town Events, an Azure Rock Partners brand, will host the conference in partnership with Blockchain Island Magazine, Zeta, Meta Luminor, the Academy of Business Leaders, Write Me Anything, and Coin Rivet. The event is also accredited by the Malta Institute of Accountants for 8.25 hours of Professional Development in terms of the Accountancy Board’s CPE Scheme.

Tickets for the conference are available online.

The post Working Town Events conference to explore blockchain, AI first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The university says it will coordinate two projects focussed on digital training for higher education and continued professional development. 

On the one hand, the DIG-IT project is coordinated by Maria Cassar from the Department of Nursing and Prof Colla J. MacDonald from the rectorate while the ICARUS project is conducted by Emmanuel Francalanza from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. 

The DIG-IT project will deliver support related to training and resources academic staff at EU universities in order to adopt digital technologies and innovative approaches to their teaching. 

Furthermore, this project aims at creating an international learning community that shares and distributes innovative training and teaching resources in an open access repository. 

It also aims at reducing the redundancy, time and cost required to design digital education products and processes with a view to increasing uptake, and innovation in a knowledge-based economy. 

In addition, UM is also planning to collaborate with other stakeholders. For instance, the healthcare sector sees a large number of practitioners wishing to continue education while trying to maintain patient services, according to the press release sent to BM. 

DIG-IT will also explore how healthcare experts can collaborate with digital experts of universities EU-wide in order to pilot English and Italian bilingual online resources in a healthcare context. 

On the other hand, the ICARUS aims to bring together a number of experts and leaders in Industry 4.0 from European Higher Education Institutions (HEI), lead by the University of Malta in order to collaborate on developing specific training content and support HEI trainers and learners. 

The project supports the need for HEI trainers and learners to handle Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Collaborative Robotics, Cybersecurity, Industrial Networking, Big Data Analysis and drones. 

Therefore, ICARUS focuses on the developing of an innovative digital training toolbox, which supports educators and learners in order to improve their skills.  

The post The University of Malta receives €740,000 funding first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The objective of this talk is to educate people about what artificial intelligence (AI) is, what it can do and how it can be utilised to harness its potential. This will be supplemented with case studies of AI projects from various industries.

In fact, AI technology is increasing in our lives. It has uses in industries like gaming, media, finance and also in the state-of-the-art research fields like robotics and medical diagnosis.

Malta currently is drafting its artificial intelligence (AI) policy, aspiring to claim their stake among the global leaders in AI, such as Finland and Mexico.

The post APS Bank to hold talk on artificial intelligence first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

SiGMA Manila and Manila AI and Blockchain Summit will take place on 8 and 9 June 2020 at the SMX Convention Centre in Manila. Asia is leading the way in merging new blockchain and AI technologies with the global iGaming sector. SiGMA Group is strengthening trade ties with the jurisdictions in the region to facilitate fresh business opportunities for European companies, according to the press release. 

“Regulatory turmoil in Europe and increasing appetite in Asia for online gambling and distributed ledger technology (DLT) has led us to take this bold leap forward and launch our two most successful shows in Asia. Whether you are in iGaming, AI, blockchain, or emerging tech, our mission is to support the obvious trend of European brands expanding East, and we are delighted to endorse the great opportunities that exist in Asia”, says Eman Pulis, CEO of SiGMA Group.  

“We do not just want to react to what is going on out there, but we want to take an active, leading role in not only bringing the Asian and European community together but also building long-lasting commercial opportunities,” commented Mr Pulis. The joint expos in Manila are expected to welcome over 600 exhibitors and 11,000 attendees from across the globe. With the launch of SiGMA Manila 2020 and the Manila AI and Blockchain Summit the group hopes to support European companies in forging closer relations with their Asian counterparts and introduce themselves to global companies.

The post SiGMA Group announces summits for Manila 2020 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“This year the government has once again increased the allocated budget by 30% to the tune of €800,000 for the Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Schembri. “This is proof of the government’s commitment to give an opportunity to our youths to have hands-on working experience in the industry of the future. This preparedness can only be achieved however if we are able to build on the academic prowess of our youth and provide them with opportunities such as these,” the minister said.

“The number of companies requiring employees having knowledge of emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and virtual reality is always on the increase,” Mr Schembri added. “This is an opportunity for you all and focusing your studies in these areas will surely contribute for you to have a successful career.”   

In addition, MITA’s Head of Strategy and Business Emmanuel Darmanin underlined that MITA, together with employer partners, has been able in the last five years to offer over 1,600 placements in all sectors which have provided exposure to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and ICT using industry, as the press release says. 

“In line with the various initiatives related to emerging technologies, this year’s event has been created with a direct focus on some of these technologies. I encourage to also make use of MITA’s New Emerging Technologies Lab, experience the practical use of these technologies, and above all make the most out of your Student Placement Programme,” said Mr Darmanin. 

Moreover, the students took part in workshops related to virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain amongst others through which the winners were awarded Delta Tech Week. 

During the event, it was also announced that the government official blockchain event Delta Summit will be transformed into the Government Tech Week between 30 of September and 6 of October 2019 and will cover different areas such as AI, IoT, blockchain, eSports, game development and space research.

The post MITA student placement to host 380 students in 2019 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The show brought together key players from the sectors of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging technologies to discuss and shape the future.

Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said in his keynote speech that emerging technologies should not be feared but rather embraced and utilised for offering a better life. He also said his government will keep supporting these verticals.

“The results have been overwhelming. We are staying a step ahead, helping the government bring all these great minds to Malta, fueling the Maltese economy by supporting the tech ecosystem,” commented Eman Pulis, Founder of Malta A.I. & Blockchain Summit and CEO of SiGMA Group. “There are plenty of incentives for A.I. and blockchain companies to relocate to Malta, so what better forum than a summit like this to bring everyone together. I think it is safe to assume that it is the largest show in its category worldwide so far this year.”

The list of VIP speakers included Brock Pierce, Ben Goertzel, Larry Sanger, Patrick Chang, and Noel Sharkey, all sharing valuable insights and enriching the audience in the process. Moreover, keynotes from industry giants Noel Sharkey and Bobby Lee had a fundamental meaning for the audience, with Bobby Lee emphatic on bitcoin’s staying power, saying he believed it would eventually go up to a million dollars, as the press release says.

The post AIBC Summit attracts 5,500 delegates for spring show first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The prime minister said that Malta is investigating ways to provide assurances through blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) not only for the island nation but also for Europe.

He said that moving beyond the initial “buzz”, Malta indeed is becoming the “blockchain island”. Tagging Malta as the first country that provides certainty and assurances in the sector, the PM mentioned that since the three landmark bills were passed last year the blockchain space has gone through rapid development.

Mr Muscat said that unfortunately automation is often received with scepticism, however artificial intelligence-based solutions enable services to operate more efficiently and accurately. Emphasising the importance of technology, the prime minister said that within the next five years, there will be more than five billion internet of things devices.

‘High-flying’ sector

Taking the floor after the prime minister, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri started by tagging the blockchain sector as a “high-flying” one, confirming that Malta has changed since the first blockchain summit was held in November 2018.

The junior minister emphasised that both the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and the Malta Digital Innovations Authority (MDIA) have rolled up their sleeves to work on helping businesses and startups enter and navigate in the sector.

In order to make sure that businesses looking for investors are safe, virtual financial asset (VFA) agents and auditors are being appointed by the related authorities, who will serve as gatekeepers in the space.

Mr Schembri praised the “diverse pool of talent” Malta has, expressing his high-hopes that these players will help boost Malta’s economy. He said the government is committed to upskilling talent, and mentioned the recent launch of the first DLT Masters course at the University of Malta.

Times today experience a fast digital revolution happening, which will not stop at blockchain, according to the junior minister, therefore Malta is committed to exploring further emerging technologies.

Mr Schembri once again stressed their work for turning Malta into an AI launchpad where businesses can prototype their products before springboarding them to the world. He also mentioned the commercial potential related to space, hence the set up of Malta’s Space Task Force.

He further elaborated on the emerging importance of eSports, ensuring that Malta is already investigating the sector’s potential and is ready to make related steps.

The post Technology should be embraced not feared, Maltese PM says first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The move will take advantage of expanding interest in the Middle East for the emerging technology of online gaming due to “its potential to invigorate the economy and shake up governance,” the event organisers say. While Malta continues its focus on regulation, the Emirates and its neighbouring states are looking at blockchain with fresh eyes which SiGMA hopes will help its operations flourish.

The company says that its move to the Middle East coincides with “other major companies looking to get a finger in the blockchain pie, with industry players instead eyeing the United States as their base for business,” according to the press statement sent to BM.

“As part of the company’s strategic growth, the plan for 2020 will focus on strengthening core events in Malta and on the smooth running of the inaugural opening of the Emirates A.I. & Blockchain Summit. Rounding off an ambitious expansion plan, 2020 will also set the stage for the launch of SiGMA in the Philippines, with the event making its Asian debut in Manila,” says Eman Pulis, CEO if SiGMA.

Quick evolution

SiGMA — which is used interchangeably for the organising firm and the iGaming event — has gone through a rapid transformation since the first event was held in 2014. That year the firm says it moved into an untapped niche of opportunity within the local iGaming market. By 2015, SiGMA expanded operations and doubled its numbers. With attendance figures on the rise, 2017 marked entry to Europe, however, organisers say the plunge for becoming a world-class event came in 2018, “with an elite selection of delegates, policymakers and thought leaders pouring in from across the globe,” according to the press statement.

“It is this kind of international support and interest that has helped propel SiGMA into truly becoming the world’s iGaming village. Through a commitment to quality and years of successful operations, SiGMA has nurtured the development of a strong brand, allowing for its evolution into a global influencer on the iGaming world stage,” the press statement says.

Expanding operations

In 2018, the company expanded operations and launched a show dedicated to the emerging blockchain sphere; the Malta Blockchain Summit, which received positive feedback from the players in the industry. The show was also the launchpad for three pieces of Maltese government regulation; on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), and the initiation of a government Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

The blockchain summit in November 2018 attracted 8,500 participants and brought speakers such as W. Scott Stornetta, John McAfee, the Winklevoss Twins and Sophia the Robot to Malta’s stage. The organisers say that their summit took the scene by storm and has secured its place as the “leading event in blockchain tech”.

As of 2019, the show has expanded focus into exploring more niches and today runs rebranded as the Malta AI & Blockchain Summit. This year, two blockchain shows will be held in Malta — in addition to SiGMA’s iGaming summit and the first Cannabiz Summit World—; one in May and another one in November. The shows aim to attract a global crowd of exhibitors by boosting its offering to include artificial intelligence, quantum tech, internet of things and big data.

Cannabiz Summit World

The company will also host a medical cannabis summit; Cannabiz Summit World, where it hopes to offer a platform for leading researchers and regulators to explore the revolutionary cannabis industry to boost economic growth and revitalise the health industry.

Organisers hope that the event will lay the foundations for an evolutionary leap into medical cannabis as the worlds of science, technology, and agribusiness converge.

“The summit is a reflection not only of Malta’s efforts through Malta Enterprise and the Medicines Authority in attracting the most reputable firms to the islands but is also a reflection of the direction many states worldwide are taking in creating the right legislative framework for medical cannabis research, production and/or consumption,” the press statement says.

The post Malta’s SiGMA expands operations into Middle East, Asia first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Last year’s summit brought W. Scott Stornetta, John McAfee, the Winklevoss Twins and Sophia the Robot to Malta’s shores along with 8,500 delegates. Although last year’s summit predominantly focused on distributed-ledger technology solutions and blockchain, as of this year the organisers are expanding their scope of view.

“We are moving beyond the hype by discussing not only blockchain but also AI [artificial intelligence], quantum tech, big data, and IoT [internet of things] this year,” says Eman Pulis, Founder of the Malta AI & Blockchain Summit. “Before the big show in Malta in November, we are also hosting a number of networking dinners across the world,” Mr Pulis says, referring to the end-year AIBC.

Throughout the year, the AIBC is organising a roadshow of exclusive C-level dinners entitled the Knights of Blockchain. The Knights of Blockchain dinners are “lavish invite-only events with no expense spared in the company of 200 C-level Executives from the industry”, the organisers say about the series. “I strongly believe that business is not made between companies, it is made between people,” Mr Pulis adds.

“We are moving beyond the hype by discussing not only blockchain but also AI, quantum tech, big data, and IoT this year.”

To support startups within the sector, the AIBC has also invited 100 startups to claim a booth on the expo free of charge, giving them access to 700 attending investors. “We had overwhelming feedback from all the disruptive startups that we welcomed to claim their free booth last year,” says Mr Pulis.

“However, as we had so many interesting and promising projects that we could not accommodate in the fierce competition of the available space that we had, we are happy to increase to 100 free booths this year to boost innovation and facilitate connections between startups and investors so that this sector can flourish,” he adds.

The speaker line-up for May’s summit includes world-renowned names in the AI and blockchain space, including Tim Draper; Roger Ver; Ben Parr, Co-Founder of Octane AI and world-famous author of Captivology; Patrick Chang, Director at Samsung NEXT; Tone Vays, renowned bitcoin/blockchain researcher with more than 80,000 YouTube subscribers; Brock Pierce, Chairman of the Bitcoin Foundation; Alexander Borodich, Founder of Universa; Eric Van Der Kleij, CEO at Centre for Digital Revolution, and many more.

Last minute passes are still available for visitors, while exhibitors and sponsors can reach out to the organisers to explore possibilities.

The post Malta AI & Blockchain Summit’s spring edition opens doors 23 May first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

MRO19 was previously known as the Malta Robotics Olympiad — hence the abbreviation MRO — and will feature six competitions including the Robo Sumo, the Malta Robo League, DiY Bots and the E-Sports festival. These events are aimed at giving students, their families and gamers the opportunity to showcase their skills against international competitors, says the press release.

The Digital Careers Expo and the Gadgets Expo are two new expos which will be featured in MRO19. The Digital Careers Expo aims at bridging the gap between digital education and digital recruitment and will feature information about employment opportunities from large digital industry recruitment agencies. The Gadgets Expo will feature the MRO19 in the consumer digital world.

Entrance to this event is free and their opening times are as follows; Friday, 10 May, from 16:00 to 22:00, Saturday, 11 May, from 9:00 to 22:00 and Sunday, 12 May, from 9:00 to 18:00. The MRO19 will be helping raise funds for the Alive Charity Foundation and the visitors who make a donation will be able to try out an electric car or a Segway.

The post Malta’s renamed tech and gadgets expo opens today first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.