On 14 March 2019, the 17th annual conference on ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE took place in the Aula of The University of Economics in Bratislava.

How does it work? Why is it good to be interested in it?

#softecon #ai #innovation #softec

Softecon 2019

This year, we focused on two key technology trends – DATA STREAMING and CLOUD – whose adoption enables organizations to achieve the necessary levels of flexibility, agility and efficiency to operate successfully and sustainably in an increasingly digitized competitive environment.

Softecon 2021

The main theme of this year's edition was Digitalization as an automation tool. Many processes around us are now digital, remote operators have experienced massive development, and bank branches are now teeming with modern technologies, tablets and electronic signatures. So why does operation still take a long time and is complicated and expensive? Is there a flaw in the processes or in the technology?



Softecon 2022

The main theme of this year's edition was Democratization of data and loss of control. Data is a source of information thanks to which business can push its boundaries. Today, it requires a quick and flexible response to changes, and we must also have this ability when working with data. So it seems natural to follow the same path as in the case of IT applications and move data closer to the business and decentralize it. However, this brings us back to the already known questions... Doesn't decentralization mean loss of control?

Softecon 2023

For 21 years, the company SOFTEC has been bringing the business and IT community together. We always choose our topics and speakers carefully to bring valuable insights into current trends and share motivating stories from the field. As the theme Transformation: Back to the Future suggests, this year we will delve into stories of digital transformation from a variety of industries with a look into the past, present and future.​

Softecon 2024

​Please accept our invitation and become our guest at the upcoming edition of the SOFTECON conference. For already 21 years, SOFTEC has been bringing the business and IT community together at this event. We pay close attention to the selection of topics and speakers to bring valuable insights into current trends and share inspiring stories. As this year‘s theme "Transformation: Back to the Future" suggests, we will delve into stories of transformation from a variety of industries with a look into the past, present and future.​ For a selected group of our invited guests, we offer the possibility of priority registration free of charge. As the capacity is limited, do not hesitate to register today. The registration deadline is May 6, 2024.​  

SOFTECON 2024 - Transformation: Back to the Future

For 22 years, the SOFTECON conference has been the traditional platform where business meets technology. Last year's event welcomed 300 leaders and experts from leading companies such as Tatra banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, ČSOB, Union, Kooperatíva, Orange, O2, Slovak Telekom and many others. This year, in the cosy premises of the Arena Theatre, we will welcome on stage the shining star of the business-technology scene - generative artificial intelligence. We will take a look at how companies are actually using it, where it is already bringing real value and where it remains more of a "theater". We will share inspiring examples of the use of generative models - from software development, through improving the customer experience, to addressing customer retention. And we won't forget education: how to adapt the school system so that the children can be ready for a world in which AI plays an increasingly important role? Book your seat today. Attendance is free of charge for SOFTEC invited guests.

SOFTECON 2025 - AI on the Stage of Innovations

For 22 years, the SOFTECON conference has been the traditional platform where business meets technology. Last year's event welcomed 300 leaders and experts from leading companies such as Tatra banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, ČSOB, Union, Kooperatíva, Orange, O2, Slovak Telekom and many others. This year, in the cosy premises of the Arena Theatre, we will welcome on stage the shining star of the business-technology scene - generative artificial intelligence. We will take a look at how companies are actually using it, where it is already bringing real value and where it remains more of a "theater". We will share inspiring examples of the use of generative models - from software development, through improving the customer experience, to addressing customer retention. And we won't forget education: how to adapt the school system so that the children can be ready for a world in which AI plays an increasingly important role? 

<p>For 22 years, SOFTECON has been the trusted platform where business meets technology. Last year’s edition welcomed more than 300 leaders and experts from top companies across the region.&nbsp;</p><p>The upcoming 2026 edition will take place on 21 May 2026 at Divadlo Aréna in Bratislava. You may look forward to real stories from leading Central European companies advancing their business through technology and artificial intelligence.</p>

SOFTECON 2026 - Behind the curtAIn

<p>For 22 years, SOFTECON has been the trusted platform where business meets technology. Last year’s edition welcomed more than 300 leaders and experts from top companies across the region.&nbsp;</p><p>The upcoming 2026 edition will take place on 21 May 2026 at Divadlo Aréna in Bratislava. You may look forward to real stories from leading Central European companies advancing their business through technology and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;</p>

Softecon

<h2>Conference programme</h2><h3>Artificial intelligence: a view of the current horizon</h3><p><strong>Marek Havrda</strong></p><p>What trends do we expect to see in the use of AI? The arrival of AI is starting a revolution that companies and countries will have to adapt to sooner or later if they don't want to be left behind. This talk will delve into the potential impacts of AI on the world around us, touch on the issues being addressed in relation to ethics and regulation, and outline the areas that the business world should focus on to benefit from modern technology.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325433305"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325433305" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>How has artificial intelligence revolutionised biometrics and when will it transform your industry too?</h3><p><strong>Ján Lunter</strong></p><p>Over the past five years, biometrics has changed enormously thanks to artificial intelligence methods. We will show how new, radically better solutions to old problems have emerged, what new challenges in biometrics artificial intelligence has brought and how it can gradually solve them. The advent of artificial intelligence in human recognition has been very rapid relative to other industries; the revolutionary change that has already taken place in biometrics is only just beginning in other fields. Together, we will look at the main factors influencing the speed of application of AI in each industry. Is your industry "at risk" or do you still have plenty of time before AI replaces you?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325427145"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325427145" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>How to get started with artificial intelligence</h3><p><strong>Juraj Rosa</strong></p><p>How to get started with artificial intelligence in business? Going from initial idea to successful implementation is no cakewalk. Let's take a look together at the steps any company must go through if it wants to meaningfully leverage the potential of AI in its business. How to set expectations, how to evangelize the need for change in your organization, or what areas and solutions to focus on when you're serious about AI but haven't yet mustered the courage? Let's do it!</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325454469"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325454469" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Which parts of Data Analytics will survive the (first) robot attack?</h3><p><strong>Filip Vítek</strong></p><p>Many industries in Slovakia do not take the threat of artificial intelligence replacing their jobs seriously. They think that we are "behind" as a country and that it will take longer for automation processes to break through. So we are happy to welcome the arrival of new manufacturing plants, for which there is slowly no one left to work today. Data analysts, since they are working with artificial intelligence (or at least telling themselves they are), feel that they are on the right side of the river. After all, data will be the "new oil" of business, so professions working with it will be spared, right? But the reality is much harsher, and some of the analytics roles will be the first to fall victim to robotization. How not to wake up one day as useless? Is it possible to prepare for this trend? In what ways can we improve? Which skills will be your ticket to the Noah's Ark of analytics?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325455304"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325455304" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>How will smart machines help us?</h3><p><strong>Andrej Žlnka, Martin Pálka, Dušan Slimák</strong></p><p>Artificial intelligence is the number one topic today. It's not new, this buzzword has been with us for almost 80 years. But something has changed: computers have learned to pretend to be human. This ability is measured by the so-called Turing test, and for a few years now, machines have been passing it successfully. One such example is virtual assistants and chatbots, which are able to answer our questions about the weather in the morning or order something for us without the other party realising that they have not spoken to a human.</p><p>How to harness this potential of AI in the banking sector? Can we digitise the entire process from client acquisition to product sales? Together, we will look at how AI can help us in sales and service activities.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/326327445"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/326327445" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Panel discussion: everything you want to know about AI</h3><p><strong>Marek Havrda, Ján Lunter, Filip Vítek, Jiří Dobeš, Ondrej Svačina</strong></p><p>The arrival of artificial intelligence brings entirely new opportunities, but also entirely new risks. How much can we trust the results provided by artificial intelligence? How can we ensure privacy protection while harnessing the business potential of new technologies? Will artificial intelligence limit human autonomy too much? When is it ethical to use AI for 'nudging'? If we delegate decisions to AI, how do we provide an audit trail? What are the technical solutions to these risks? To what extent can AI itself help us address the risks and negative impacts that its implementation brings?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325457997"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325457997" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Neural networks analyse our journeys</h3><p><strong>Ondrej Svačina</strong></p><p>When deciding how best to allocate limited funding for the repair and reconstruction of our roads, it is very important to know their current condition. Road surface defects, such as cracks or potholes, are a straightforward way of expressing their condition. Last year at this conference, we talked about photographic equipment and the idea of analysing the images produced using artificial intelligence methods. This year, we will show how neural networks trained by us can detect faults themselves and categorize them for further processing. The presentation will include the results of success tests.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325459296"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325459296" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Artificial intelligence and consumer credit</h3><p><strong>Jiří Dobeš</strong></p><p>An innovative Czech bank has challenged artificial intelligence to a "duel" with the bank's experts. The aim was to improve the behavioural model of the loan applicant, in particular to increase the likelihood of accepting a consumer loan offered by the bank. Based on the consumer's profile and behaviour, an artificial intelligence model was thus created whose predictive power was almost double that of the model used by the bank. What was the journey from the vision to the final model in a production environment that enabled the bank to offer a tailored product to customers with a high acceptance rate?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325426810"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325426810" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Stupidity and simplicity wins (and it's good)</h3><p><strong>David Tvrdoň, Ondrej Podstupka</strong></p><p>It took us at SME an awfully long time to let go of picking the lowest growing fruits and primitivism when creating new digital projects. And that's true for successful global digital products, where the same is true - people don't like complex technology, so the simpler the better and the bigger the impact. It doesn't apply to absolutely everyone. It's easy to illustrate with a few examples. The whole subscription economy is a beautiful example.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://vimeo.com/325459895"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/325459895" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p><br>&nbsp;</p>

Dne 14. března 2019 se v Aule Ekonomické univerzity v Bratislavě konal 17. ročník konference ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Jak to funguje? Proč je dobré se o ni zajímat?

#softecon #ai #innovation #softec

14. marca 2019 sa v Aule Ekonomickej univerzity v Bratislave uskutočnil 17. ročník konferencie, tentokrát na tému UMELÁ INTELIGENCIA.

Ako funguje? Prečo je dobré sa o ňu zaujímať?

#softecon #ai #innovation #softec

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softecon2019

<h2>SOFTECON 2021 - June, 24 2021</h2><p>&nbsp;How do the latest technology trends affect the operation and performance of organizations? <strong>Watch the recording of the SOFTECON 2021 conference online!</strong> This year, we focused on two key technology trends – <strong>DATA STREAMING</strong> and<strong> CLOUD</strong> – whose adoption enables organizations to achieve the necessary levels of flexibility, agility and efficiency to operate successfully and sustainably in an increasingly digitized competitive environment.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7lwr5kj1ez4"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7lwr5kj1ez4" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p><strong>Carefully selected speakers explained how applying these technology trends can increase the value IT brings to your business. We also looked into the field of space use, whose story can be an interesting inspiration for the IT world.</strong></p><p>#softecon #cloud #datastreaming #innovation #digitalisation #softec</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Conference Program</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=0s"><strong>00:01</strong></a>&nbsp;- Opening</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=71s"><strong>01:11</strong></a><strong> - Peter Morávek, CEO, Softec + Miroslav Vladár, Senior Innovation Manager, Softec</strong> - Today's business built on the IT of the future</p><p><strong>Block STREAMING</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=1533s"><strong>25:33</strong></a><strong> - Daniel Buchta, Cloud and Data Streaming Visionaire, Softec</strong> - Let's let the data flow</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=2698s"><strong>44:58</strong></a><strong> - Eva Slobodová, Head of Growth &amp; Project HUB, O2 Slovakia</strong> - Revolution in marketing</p><p><strong>Block CLOUD</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=3889s"><strong>01:04:49</strong></a><strong> - Adam Hamšík, CEO, Labyrinth Labs</strong> - Journey to the cloud - ticket to the clouds</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=5237s"><strong>01:27:17</strong></a><strong> - Zdeněk Bulan, Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services</strong> - Serverless at the speed of light</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=6641s"><strong>01:50:41</strong></a><strong> - Dušan Chudík, CTO, Partners Group</strong> - Service instead of building infrastructure?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=7899s"><strong>02:11:39</strong></a>&nbsp;<strong>- Jiří Šilha, vedecký pracovník, FMFI UK</strong>&nbsp;- What is happening above the clouds?</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lwr5kj1ez4&amp;t=9352s"><strong>02:35:52</strong></a><strong> - Closing of the Conference</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Who will be speaking at the conference?</h2>

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<h3><strong>Peter Morávek and Miroslav Vladár</strong></h3><p><strong>Peter Morávek </strong>graduated from the University of Economics in Bratislava, Department of Applied Informatics. He has been in the management of Softec since 2012. He held the positions of Director of the Insurance Systems Division and Sales Director. Since 2016, he has been working for the company as an executive director. Previously, he was part of leading Slovak ICT companies.</p><p><strong>Miroslav Vladár</strong> has been working at Softec for more than 10 years on development and innovation. Currently, he is responsible for technological development and education with an emphasis on application architectures, DevOps and Cloud platforms.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>The pandemic has dramatically changed the entire world of business and services.<br>Digital transformation took on the first cosmic speed and at the same time "shrunk" organizations to the size of a screen and the hands of a courier.<br>Do today's investments in new software bring the benefits we expect from it in the future? Are companies able to adapt quickly to skyrocketing market conditions?<br>For those who can build business services using the IT of the future today, new horizons are opening up in the digital world.</p>

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<h3><strong>Daniel Buchta</strong></h3><p>He holds a doctorate in mathematical analysis and chaos theory at the former Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Comenius University in Bratislava (IFF UK). In 2002 he left for the private company Centaur, which is now part of Softec. Since 2015, he has been working as a senior IT architect and is an expert in working with big data.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Every company today is also a software company. Digitalization allows the customer to communicate with the company at any time and from anywhere, and the company must respond promptly to the customer's request, whether terminated or unterminated.<br>To do this, it is necessary to process and evaluate online the dramatically increasing amount of available data.<br>More data means more ideas that need to be quickly translated into concrete solutions.<br>Data streaming works with data as a continuous flow of events and allows this data to be processed automatically in real time. It also allows you to implement business ideas in the form of isolated solutions, which reduces the complexity and costs of creating new applications and gives us the opportunity to try more ideas.<br>And since the systems work automatically, we can devote ourselves to coming up with these ideas.</p>

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<h3><strong>Eva Slobodová</strong></h3><p>Since 2017, he has been working for O2 Slovakia and currently manages a portfolio of strategic projects focused on the implementation of technological innovations in the position of Head of GROWTH &amp; PROJECT HUB. He has more than 18 years of work experience in defining and executing marketing strategies, project management and development for direct marketing, CRM and customer analytics.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>How does digitization, automation and the development of information technology affect the future of marketing? Why do topics such as streaming, machine learning, cloud come into the life of marketers?<br>Real-time decision-making and agility in marketing – challenge or utopia? We will look at the answers to these questions in practice on the example of a large Slovak Telco operator. By the way, and have we not forgotten about the customer?</p>

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<h3><strong>Adam Hamšík</strong></h3><p>He is one of the founders of Labyrinth Labs, which helps customers grasp modern technologies and methodologies (CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, Public Cloud, Kubernetes, Openstack) to improve and meet their business needs.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>The road to the cloud can be challenging, and not every one leads to the desired goal. How can we get there safely? There are many options. Often the preferred approach is "Cloud Native". What exactly does this mean and how does it enable organizations to develop and operate a flexible and adaptable application ecosystem?</p>

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<h3><strong>Zdeněk Bulan</strong></h3><p>He currently holds the position of AWS Solutions Architect and helps clients in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on their joint journey to the cloud. In the past, he also worked as an authorized AWS trainer and helped teams grow their knowledge in the field of cloud technologies.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Do you know the feeling when you come up with something, believe in the idea and want it to run today?<br>The programmer agrees with the business analyst and immediately programs the new functionality. And then he waits for someone to prepare the environment and allow him to operate... And time passes.<br>Serverless makes it possible to realize such innovations at the speed of light. With AWS Lambda, users provide the source code and AWS runs it without having to worry about infrastructure and scale, users pay for the execution and millisecond of running the code. But serverless is more than just compute. Only messaging, orchestration, storage, and compute together will begin to yield surprising results within modern applications. We will take a look at how some companies use serverless and what news has appeared in this area.&nbsp;</p>

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<h3><strong>Dušan Chudík</strong></h3><p>He has been working in the IT world for more than 20 years, including the last 4 years as an IT Manager at PARTNERS GROUP SK. In addition to IT solutions, his hobby is cycling. In order to improve cycling conditions in Slovakia, he founded the non-profit organization Pedál in 2013.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Can I prepare for a pandemic in advance? What solutions are necessary for a company based on personal contact to become successful in the digital age?<br>The ability to function online is key. Some features can now be procured as a Software, such as client identity verification. Is this operating model also applicable to the financial sector and what future awaits it?</p>

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<h3><strong>Jiří Šilha</strong></h3><p>Jiří Šilha is an astronomer, researcher at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava. He is engaged in space debris research and space security.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>The universe, especially the near surroundings of the Earth, has been used by man for his own benefit for decades. The main direction is the creation of satellite infrastructure that allows for a more comfortable and safe life on earth. Until recently, manned flights were fully controlled by major space powers and were mainly used for research carried out in a microgravity environment. New technologies, such as small satellites and more economical rockets, are making space more accessible. More and more countries, as well as private and public entities, are becoming active in space, and space is also opening up to private individuals in the form of space tourism. The sharp change in environmental dynamics is leading to an increase in risks related to space debris, an issue that is one of the main challenges in the intensive exploitation of the Earth's near-surroundings by man.New technologies, such as small satellites and more economical rockets, are making space more accessible. More and more countries, as well as private and public entities, are becoming active in space, and space is also opening up to private individuals in the form of space tourism. The sharp change in environmental dynamics is leading to an increase in risks related to space debris, an issue that is one of the main challenges in the intensive exploitation of the Earth's near-surroundings by man.</p>

Tento rok sme sa zamerali na dva kľúčové technologické trendy – DÁTOVÝ STREAMING a CLOUD – ktorých osvojenie umožňuje organizáciám dosiahnuť potrebnú úroveň flexibility, agility a efektívnosti pre úspešné a udržateľné fungovanie v čoraz viac digitalizovanom konkurenčnom prostredí.

V letošním roce jsme se zaměřili na dva klíčové technologické trendy – DATA STREAMING a CLOUD – jejichž přijetí umožňuje organizacím dosáhnout potřebné úrovně flexibility, agility a efektivity pro úspěšný a udržitelný provoz ve stále více digitalizovaném konkurenčním prostředí.

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<h2>SOFTECON 2022 - May 26th | Binarium</h2><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9OamR2RH4XE"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9OamR2RH4XE" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p>Watch the recording from the 19th year of the professional conference on current trends and visions in the field of information technologies and their impacts on business and society - SOFTECON 2022. We carefully choose topics and select lecturers so that every year we bring a new perspective on current trends in the world of IT and business and share inspiring stories from business, research and scientific spheres. The main theme of this year was <strong>Digitalization as an automation tool</strong>. Many processes around us are now digital, remote operators have experienced massive development, and bank branches are now teeming with modern technologies, tablets and electronic signatures. So why does operation still take a long time and is complicated and expensive? Is there a flaw in the processes or in the technology?</p><p>#softec #softecon #innovation #digitalization</p><h2>Conference Program</h2><p><strong>14:00 -</strong> Opening of the conference</p><p><strong>14:05 - Libor David: </strong><i>Key Note - Native Digitalization – Evolution or Revolution?</i></p><p><strong>14:20 - Libor David, Kristýna Dudková, Peter Belica: </strong><i>Native digitization</i></p><p><strong>14:45 - Boril Šopov: </strong><i>Image data mining in financial institutions</i></p><p><strong>15:05 - Vladimir Simunović: </strong><i>The Way to Cloud</i></p><p><strong>15:25 - </strong>Break</p><p><strong>15:40 - Ondrej Svačina: </strong><i>Modern IoT and AI technologies in public administration services</i></p><p><strong>16:00 - Jakub Šimko: </strong><i>How to supervise the spread of disinformation by social media recommendation algorithms?</i></p><p><strong>16:20 - Martin Plesch, Daniel Nagaj, Samuel Kováčik:</strong><i>&nbsp;The near future of quantum computers</i></p><p><strong>17:05</strong> <strong>-</strong> Networking</p><p>Presenters: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-petriscak-92b83613/"><strong>Martin Petriščák, </strong></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrejzlnka/"><strong>Andrej Žlnka</strong></a><strong> a </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-kov%C3%A1%C4%8Dik-12400980/"><strong>Samuel Kováčik</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Who will speak at the conference?</h2>

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<h3><strong>Libor David (SOFTEC)</strong></h3><p><strong>Libor </strong>graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague and has been cooperating with SOFTEC since 2021 as a Digital Architect. Previously, he worked in Accenture's consulting division, from his beginnings to leading financial services in the region. He has participated in a number of digital transformations of major financial institutions in Central Europe, either as a consultant or an employee of the institution, and has also gained experience on projects in the USA. He also acts as a mentor to promising start-ups and cooperates with innovative start-up accelerators.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Many processes around us are now digital, what new can we bring and why do we dare to talk about it as a revolution? Remote operators have seen massive development and we consider the resulting disruptors to be the pinnacle of innovation. Branches and contact points have long used classic processes with pencil and paper, but even there it is now teeming with modern technology, tablets and electronic signatures. So why is it still long to operate and complicated and expensive? Why can't we discuss our needs with the banker in plain human language, simply, comprehensibly, and shake hands at the end? And is there a mistake in the processes or in the technology, are we technologically equipped to change?</p>

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<h3><strong>Libor David (SOFTEC), Kristýna Dudková (Ernst &amp; Young) a Peter Belica (SOFTEC)</strong></h3><p><strong>Libor </strong>graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague and has been cooperating with SOFTEC since 2021 as a Digital Architect. Previously, he worked in Accenture's consulting division, from his beginnings to leading financial services in the region. He has participated in a number of digital transformations of major financial institutions in Central Europe, either as a consultant or an employee of the institution, and has also gained experience on projects in the USA. He also acts as a mentor to promising start-ups and cooperates with innovative start-up accelerators.</p><p><strong>Kristýna</strong> is a senior regulatory expert in the Financial Services Consulting team at Ernst &amp; Young, where he focuses on legal and regulatory issues of the financial sector, especially in the areas of consumer credit, digitization, payment services, anti-money laundering protection, insurance, etc. Kristýna holds a master's degree from the Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague.</p><p><strong>Peter </strong>works at SOFTEC as an architect of native digital solutions in the NFINITY team (https://www.nfinity.digital). In the past, he has gone through various roles from developer, through team leader and consultant on major projects for financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies and brokerage groups. Thanks to this combination of different roles and financial institutions, it is a strong reinforcement in implementing the principles of digital contracting with our customers.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Many processes around us are now digital, what new can we bring and why do we dare to talk about it as a revolution? Remote operators have seen massive development and we consider the resulting disruptors to be the pinnacle of innovation. Branches and contact points have long used classic processes with pencil and paper, but even there it is now teeming with modern technology, tablets and electronic signatures. So why is it still long to operate and complicated and expensive? Why can't we discuss our needs with the banker in plain human language, simply, comprehensibly, and shake hands at the end? And is there a mistake in the processes or in the technology, are we technologically equipped to change?</p>

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<h3><strong>Boril Šopov (Searpent)</strong></h3><p>Founder of Searpent, an insurance fraud detection startup. Previously, he worked for ČSOB Bank and Deutsche Boerse. He holds a PhDr. in Economics from Charles University, an LL.M. in Business Law from Masaryk University and a Master's degree in Risk Management from the Duisenberg School of Finance (VU Amsterdam).</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been on the rise in financial institutions recently. The most common use cases focus on structured data. We will talk about the challenges and benefits of using image data to improve customer experience as well as reduce costs through automation or fraud prevention.</p>

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<h3><strong>Vladimir Simunović (RPC)</strong></h3><p><strong>Vladimir</strong> is a senior international executive with 20+ years of successful organization and technology leadership. He is the man behind RBI’s Cloud strategy and transformation. A Cloud Evangelist promoting startup mentality, out-of-box thinking, customer values and benefits of Cloud adoption, he sees his role as an agile change-agent, enabling intra-company cultural and mind-set transformation. He currently serves as Head of IT of RPC. Vladimir is married and father of two teenage girls. His lecture will be in English.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Motivations and practical challenges behind the Cloud transformation in the Raiffeisen Bank International Group. The speaker will share how he launched and scaled Raiffeisen Cloud Center of Excellence, with a “Cloud First” approach in designing and building Infrastructure and Applications. The journey will be illustrated by practical topics such as developing new Cloud product and pricing models, cost optimization and management and Cloud governance. Furthermore, experience from the ongoing Cloud transformation in Bratislava based RPC (Card payments processing subsidiary of RBI) will be discussed.</p>

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<h3><strong>Ondrej Svačina (SOFTEC)</strong></h3><p><strong>Ondrej </strong>graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University in Bratislava. During his working career, he held various positions in the field of analysis and development of complex information systems. Currently, he is in charge of development, consulting and trade in the field of transport and environment at SOFTEC and specifically for modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Keeping roads passable during the winter months is a logistically and cost-intensive activity whose success depends heavily on the vagaries of the weather. We cannot tame the weather, but by applying modern Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning technologies, we can monitor the current and also predict the future condition of the road surface, which allows winter maintenance to be carried out at the right time and in the right place. Let's take a look at an example of how solutions based on modern technologies open up opportunities for better, more cost-effective and greener provision of public administration services.</p>

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<h3><strong>Jakub Šimko (KInIT)</strong></h3><p>He graduated from the Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies STU in Bratislava. Jakub focuses on the intersection of human computation, machine learning and user modelling. Since 2020, he has been working as an Expert Researcher at the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Social media's recommendation algorithms greatly exacerbate the problem of spreading disinformation. This is – originally unintended – a consequence of their preference for attractive, emotional or polarizing content. How did we get into this state of disinformation bubbles? Is it possible to "crack" them? How do large platform operators respond? Are they willing to voluntarily remove this feature of their algorithms? What will the forthcoming regulation bring us?</p>

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<h3><strong>Martin Plesch, Daniel Nagaj (Fyzikálny ústav SAV ) a Samuel Kováčik (FMFI UK)</strong></h3><p><strong>Martin </strong>studied at FMPI Comenius University in Bratislava and at the University of Innsbruck and defended his doctorate at the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. In addition to Slovakia, he worked at the universities of Vienna, Brno and Oxford. He is currently working on the possibilities of quantum cryptography on imperfect devices and testing the possible use of existing quantum computers. He is dedicated to youth as president of the International Tournament of Young Physicists.</p><p><strong>Daniel </strong>studied theoretical physics at FMPI Comenius University in Bratislava and received his doctorate at MIT in the USA. After years abroad, he returned and has been engaged in research at the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava for a long time. He thinks about what nature will allow us to calculate – but also about what will not be able to be calculated efficiently even on computers that we do not yet have.</p><p><strong>Samuel </strong>studied theoretical physics at FMPI Comenius University in Bratislava, where he also obtained his doctorate. He then spent several years at Dublin's Institute of Advanced Studies. His research focuses on the structure of space and the effects of quantum gravity. He founded the Vedator project, through which he popularizes science in Slovakia.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Classical computers changed the world in the last century. Today, however, we hear about the quantum revolution necessary for their further development. These new technologies are based on non-intuitive principles of quantum physics, such as superposition and entanglement. In the discussion we will explain how to think about them. We will show where we see the most powerful applications of quantum computing in practice: in secure communications, simulations, new approaches to optimization and precision sensors. Finally, we will look at the challenges that need to be overcome in order for quantum computers to be widely implemented—bug fixing, difficult scaling, and the need for new algorithms.</p>

Nosnou témou tohto ročníka bola Digitalizácia ako nástroj automatizácie. Množstvo procesov okolo nás je dnes už digitálnych, masívny rozvoj zaznamenala vzdialená obsluha, v pobočkách bánk sa to dnes už hemží modernými technológiami, tabletmi a elektronickými podpismi. Tak prečo obsluha stále trvá dlho a je komplikovaná a drahá? Je chyba v procesoch, alebo v technológii?



Hlavním tématem letošního ročníku byla digitalizace jako nástroj automatizace. Mnoho procesů kolem nás je nyní digitálních, vzdálení operátoři zaznamenali masivní rozvoj a bankovní pobočky se nyní hemží moderními technologiemi, tablety a elektronickými podpisy. Proč tedy provoz trvá ještě dlouho a je komplikovaný a drahý? Je chyba v procesech nebo v technologii?



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<h2>SOFTECON 2023 - May, 31st | National Football Stadium</h2><p>Watch the record from the 20th year of the professional conference on current trends and visions in the field of information technologies and their impacts on business and society – SOFTECON 2023.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://player.vimeo.com/video/832600882?h=685e047da0&amp;amp;badge=0&amp;amp;autopause=0&amp;amp;player_id=0&amp;amp;app_id=58479"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/832600882" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p>The main theme of this year's edition was <strong>Democratization of data and loss of control</strong>.&nbsp;Data is a source of information thanks to which business can push its boundaries. Today, it requires a quick and flexible response to changes, and we must also have this ability when working with data. So it seems natural to follow the same path as in the case of IT applications and move data closer to the business and decentralize it. However, this brings us back to the already known questions... Doesn't decentralization mean loss of control?</p><p>#softec #softecon #innovation #datademocracy #datamesh</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Conference Program</h2><p><strong>12:00 -</strong> Lunch</p><p><strong>13:00 –&nbsp;Miro Vladár (SOFTEC):&nbsp;</strong>Opening of the conference with the topic of <i>Data Democratization in Business</i></p><p><strong>13:05 - Peter Polák (Bloomreach): </strong><i>Data that reveals stories</i></p><p><strong>13:35 - Tomáš Revaj (Simloop): </strong><i>There is no free lunch</i></p><p><strong>14:00 - </strong>Break</p><p><strong>14:15 - Adrián Slavkovský (Orange): </strong><i>Data democracy in a corporation: opportunity or myth?</i></p><p><strong>14:40 - Lukáš Hlavička (IstroSec): </strong><i>Data at risk</i></p><p><strong>15:05 - </strong>Break</p><p><strong>15:25 - Honza Zubíček (ČSOB): </strong><i>Data - fuel for the virtual assistant</i></p><p><strong>15:50 - </strong><i>ChatGPT – Miracle or bubble? (Panel discussion)</i> <strong>Marián Šimko (KInIT) Martin Takáč (FMFI UK) Peter Polák (Bloomreach)</strong></p><p><strong>16:30 -</strong> A glass of wine</p><p>Presenters: <strong>Miro Vladár </strong>and <strong>Andrej Žlnka (SOFTEC)</strong></p><h2>Registration is closed. We look forward to seeing you!</h2>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2><h2>Who will speak at the conference?</h2><p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h3>Peter Polák (Bloomreach)</h3><p><strong>Peter </strong>after years of developing banking software, he swapped traditional companies for startup culture. Today, he takes care of cloud client data at Bloomreach (formerly Exponea) as Director of Engineering for Customer Data Platform. He likes the world of SaaS products - he is fascinated by its freshness, unpredictability and immeasurable potential. He's married and has two teenage daughters who help him stay innovative (and alert).</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Every successful writer knows this: a good story cannot do without consistent data. But the opposite is also true. Data in which we cannot find an interesting story are idle and boring. And if there's one thing today's tiktok era doesn't forgive, it's just boredom. Let's look at data as a product. Let's take inspiration from other digital products and adapt our business data to reveal powerful stories.</p>

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<h3>Tomáš Revaj (Simloop)</h3><p><strong>Tomáš </strong>responsible for transformation projects in the financial and public sectors in the CEE and SEE region. He is primarily engaged in business / IT architecture design, data management and system integration. He likes challenges where he helps customers unravel their integrative spaghetti and increase their ability to change. He is married and has 3 children who develop his people management skills.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Nowadays, businesses are bombarded with offers for data solutions and platforms to solve all their problems so far. But is there one model that fits the real needs of running the business? Is it possible to categorize these needs and use a combination of specifically focused platforms that work in symbiosis with each other and at the same time address different needs of business processes, reporting, or analytics and data science? We will try to answer these questions within our block, but expect that "there is no free lunch" also applies to high-quality, fresh and reusable Data.</p>

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<h3>Adrián Slavkovský (Orange)</h3><p><strong>Adrián </strong>studied software engineering and started working for Orange during his studies as a java developer. He has gone through several positions in the field of OSS (operation support systems) to subsequently anchor in the data and AI domain, in which he sees huge potential and opportunities.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>The data mesh concept is gaining more and more attention from the data community around the world. But what about its usability and implementation in the company? What can we gain from this and what pitfalls can we prepare for when implementing it? Can't democracy become anarchy? Let's take a look at how Orange is experimenting with this approach as part of a pilot project to democratize data in the cloud.</p>

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<h3>Lukáš Hlavička (IstroSec)</h3><p><strong>Lukáš</strong>,<strong> </strong>during his more than 15-year career in cybersecurity, he has saved clients dozens of "data treasures" of quantifiable and incalculable value. He led the analytical team within the building of the Slovak government unit CSIRT.SK (Computer Security Incident Response Team Slovakia) under MIRRI SR, where he subsequently worked as a director until 2019. After moving to the private sector, he founded IstroSec, where he now holds the position of CTO. He specializes in responding to targeted cyberattacks/security incidents, coordinating digital forensics, infrastructure penetration testing, red teaming and defensive capability building for customers who don't want to experience another incident unprepared.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>Decentralization of data, sometimes associated with the transition to the cloud, is a frequently discussed topic today, and yet it often forgets to talk about security. What are today's trends in building active protection? How to address data security in its constant cycle of creation, update, transformation or migration across platforms and applications? How effective in terms of costs and capacities of personnel to solve security when migrating data to the cloud? Can we get close to near-perfect security? So that the security of our data does not lag behind innovations and constant changes in their processing, we will try to find answers and talk about examples of the best, funny but also bitter stories.</p>

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<h3>Honza Zubíček (ČSOB)</h3><p><strong>Honza </strong>has spent more than 18 years of professional career in various companies - from those that could be classified as "garage companies" - to large international corporations. He has worked in various positions from programming, analysis, consulting, project management, to architecture. At work, he has always focused on transformation through innovation, and in recent years he has focused on data science and AI. He currently works at ČSOB as a Lead Architect and ensures the organization's readiness for the vision brought by Kate.</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>The future of banking is about perfect knowledge of customer needs and personalization of tailor-made services. Not tomorrow, not in an hour, but immediately! And from where can we find out the current needs of the customer? Well, from data! Banks have been trying the use of chatbots for a couple of years, but the result is not always ideal. In the KBC Group, we approach it a little differently - we build data driven virtual assistant Kate. You can hear what the future of meeting customer needs will look like with Kate during my presentation.</p>

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<h3>Marián Šimko (KInIT), Martin Takáč (FMFI UK), Peter Polák (Bloomreach)</h3><p><strong>Marián </strong>is deputy director of the Kempelen Institute of Intelligent Technologies and leader of the natural language processing (NLP) research team. It is dedicated to automatic processing of text data, which is growing every day at a dizzying pace. His team collaborated on the creation of the first large public Slovak language model, SlovakBERT, helps companies develop solutions for better processing of Slovak, and currently participates in several European projects focused on word processing.</p><p><strong>Martin </strong>works as an associate professor at the Department of Applied Informatics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava. He teaches cognitive science and researches cognitive modeling, artificial neural networks and developmental artificial intelligence. He co-authored the BabyX cognitive architecture developed by Soul Machines Ltd. He is also interested in the wider impact of artificial intelligence on society and the ethical aspects of cognitive technologies. He is a member of the Permanent Commission for Ethics and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic and a member of the scientific board of AIslovakIA - National Platform for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Slovakia. He is a founding member of the Slovak Society for Cognitive Science.</p><p>After years of developing banking software, <strong>Peter</strong> swapped traditional companies for startup culture. Today, he takes care of cloud client data at Bloomreach (formerly Exponea) as Director of Engineering for Customer Data Platform. He likes the world of SaaS products - he is fascinated by its freshness, unpredictability and immeasurable potential. He's married and has two teenage daughters who help him stay innovative (and alert).</p><h4>What are we going to talk about?</h4><p>ChatGPT appealed to wide masses of users and surprised in many ways. Are current technologies around large language models (LLMs) really as good as they seem? What real progress have we made and where are the limits? And should we look forward to the future? Or be afraid of her?</p>

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<h3>Miro Vladár</h3><p><strong>Miro</strong> has always been fascinated by innovations in technologies and especially by the possibilities of their use in the enterprise world. Gradually, he moved from their application in the programming itself, through the possibility to use them in the design and implementation of software architecture to complex solutions for modern transformation of key systems. He is interested in the pragmatic use of new approaches to digitization and how to turn buzzwords such as microservice, DevOps Cloud or Data mesh into meaningful solutions. It helps build a vision of long-term sustainable FutureIT, which allows the business to grow and respond to the rapid pace of change.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

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<h3>Andrej Žlnka</h3><p>During his IT career so far, <strong>Andrej</strong> has gone through several positions - from developer, through product owner, to division manager. All the way he was accompanied by innovations, for which he constantly has drive and enthusiasm. He likes his fingers in everything that smacks of innovation at SOFTEC. He specializes mainly in solutions using facial biometrics. In his free time, he likes to ventilate his head by playing double bass with his band.</p>

Nosnou témou tohto ročníka bola Demokratizácia dát a strata kontroly. Dáta sú zdrojom informácií, vďaka ktorým vie biznis posúvať svoje hranice. Ten dnes vyžaduje rýchlu a flexibilnú reakciu na zmeny a túto schopnosť musíme mať aj pri práci s dátami. Zdá sa teda prirodzené nastúpiť na rovnakú cestu ako v prípade IT aplikácií a posunúť dáta bližšie k biznisu a decentralizovať ich. Tým sa však vraciame k už známym otázkam… neznamená decentralizácia stratu kontroly?

Nosným tématem letošního ročníku byla Demokratizace dat a ztráta kontroly. Data jsou zdrojem informací, díky kterým umí byznys posouvat své hranice. Ten dnes vyžaduje rychlou a flexibilní reakci na změny a tuto schopnost musíme mít i při práci s daty. Zdá se tedy přirozené nastoupit na stejnou cestu jako v případě IT aplikací a posunout data blíže k byznysu a decentralizovat je. Tím se však vracíme k již známým otázkám… neznamená decentralizace ztrátu kontroly?

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<h2><strong>SOFTECON 2024 - MAY 21| 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Cinema City Eurovea | Bratislava</strong></h2><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/Lr5UxngWNoY"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lr5UxngWNoY" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p>What is the current status of digital transformation in our businesses? What were the expectations and what is the reality? Which were the different approaches and scenarios applied by companies and what were the outcomes? What’s next? These are some of the topics we’ll discuss at this year’s SOFTECON 2024. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Some of our latest editions focused on innovation, artificial intelligence, digitization, cloud and data. This year we will dive deeper into practical experience with digital transformation. What were the expectations, approaches and outcomes, will be discussed also via real stories of leading companies. Experienced leaders from companies such as Slovenská sporiteľňa, Raiffeisen group, or the advisor to the Swiss government for IT education, will share their experience.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>10.00-10.25&nbsp;</strong><br><strong>Šimon Skrak (SOFTEC)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Keynote – Back to the Future</p><p><strong>10.25-10.50</strong><br><strong>Dr. Marko Ranković (Raiffeisen Processing Centre)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Transformation Strikes Back!</p><p><strong>10.50-11.15</strong><br><strong>Tomáš Beljak (ex-Sygic)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Culture, Buzzwords and their Role in Transformation</p><p><strong>11.15-11.40</strong><br><strong>Michal Raab (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</strong>&nbsp;<br>When Innovation Meets Tradition</p><p><strong>11.40-12.40&nbsp;</strong><br>LUNCH</p><p><strong>12.40-13.05</strong><br><strong>Juraj Tlstý (Slovenská sporiteľňa)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Agility - Pitfalls and Benefits<i>&nbsp;</i></p><p><strong>13.05-13.55</strong><br><strong>Prof. RNDr. Juraj Hromkovič, DrSc. (ETH Zürich)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Let´s Create a New Future Through the Discovery Processes of the Past &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Moderators: <strong>Jana Hermanová</strong> and <strong>Miro Vladár (both SOFTEC)</strong><br>&nbsp;</p><p>*The conference language is Slovak and simultaneous translation (EN) will be provided.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Šimon Skrak: Keynote – Back to the Future</h2>

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<p><strong>ŠIMON SKRAK (SOFTEC)</strong><br>Šimon leads the Telco business unit for Slovakia and the Czech Republic at SOFTEC. His extensive experience includes both local and international client assignments in telco industry (Slovakia, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary). Before joining SOFTEC in 2023, he spent more than 20 years at Accenture where he supported the fundamental transformation of Slovak Telekom and other important projects. During the past 6 years, he helped develop the newly established digital division Accenture Song in both Prague and Bratislava and was involved in the digital transformation of Škoda Auto, the largest exporter in the Czech Republic.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Similarly to the hero in our headline movie who travelled between the past, the present and the future, we will take a look back at the expectations brought by IT trends. How are we currently succeeding in meeting them? And how to be in control of the future so that we are prepared for further changes?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/K5Y20bvJJIU"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K5Y20bvJJIU" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>

<h2>Dr. Marko Ranković: Transformation Strikes Back!</h2>

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<p><strong>Dr. MARKO RANKOVIĆ (Raiffeisen Processing Centre)</strong><br>Marko has spent most of his professional career in banking, specifically in card payment processing. The experience of being a soccer referee, a university professor, and working at a bank where he had many different technical and business tasks related to processing card payments, equipped him with a&nbsp;variety of unique perspectives. He is currently the General Manager and Executive Director of Raiffeisen Processing Centre, a part of Raiffeisen Bank International. He has published 4 books and more than 50 articles in scientific and professional journals. He is happily married and a proud father of 4 children.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Change, and thus transformation, is constant. Today’s businesses and organizations&nbsp;cannot afford to slow down and relax. Relaxation in the business environment has paradoxically become life-threatening. What is it like to be one of the largest card processing companies in the market and to reflect the speed of changes in the banking sector, which creates pressure to transform, and do business differently, better and more efficiently?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/c8Lzd_Cexjw"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c8Lzd_Cexjw" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>

<h2>Tomáš Beljak: Culture, Buzzwords and their Role in Transformation</h2>

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<p><strong>TOMÁŠ BELJAK (ex-Sygic)</strong><br>With 20 years of experience primarily in IT, Tomáš is passionate about solving complex problems, crises, and challenges that we face when developing software. If asked about the key success factors, he would highlight the laser focus on the continuous delivery of value to end users at speed, on the leadership style that encourages individuals to take responsibility, and on the autonomy of team members.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Buzzwords - we all know them. They are often the driving force behind transformation. We innovate, we automate, we migrate, we deploy... But have we achieved the results expected at the beginning? And to what extent is their successful implementation being influenced by the culture of the team or the company?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/s9g9aieLEHc"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s9g9aieLEHc" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>

<h2>Michal Raab: When Innovation Meets Tradition</h2>

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<p><strong>MICHAL RAAB (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</strong><br>Michal heads the research and development software center for the world’s leading manufacturer of laboratory measuring equipment. 12 years ago, he started as a research scientist at a small startup company, which he helped transform into a medium-sized subsidiary with 120 employees. He is particularly interested in modelling physicochemical processes to interpret measurements, but he is also fascinated by data analytics or machine learning. He and his colleagues often struggle with the pitfalls of DevOps and Cloud, as well as with the challenges of outdated applications in the rapidly changing world of (bio)chemical industry requirements.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>A specific feature of the regulated industry is a conservative customer who, on the one hand, enjoys advances in information technology, but, on the other hand, rejects changes in their own structures, often running on archaic hardware and operating systems. In the university environment, openness and the possibility of cooperation are important for the advancement of science. However, the same science in a pharmaceutical company environment means a hermetically sealed infrastructure with the primary focus on security. We will discuss these and other conflicting customer requirements, as well as their impact on the structure of the organization and processes, from the perspective of a company that has been supplying products to these specific markets for the last 25 years.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/c1omjxdtac4"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c1omjxdtac4" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>

<h2>Juraj Tlstý: Agility - Pitfalls and Benefits<i>&nbsp;</i></h2>

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<p><strong>JURAJ TLSTÝ (Slovenská sporiteľňa)</strong><br>Juraj has 20 years of experience, mainly in banking, where he has held roles ranging from a developer to IT development management, DevOps and banking transformation. Juraj keeps looking for new ways to increase efficiency and organization’s performance,&nbsp;and how to improve the ways of working and people’s mindset.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Transformation - a word that makes every manager tingle, for better or for worse. In today's world of accelerating adoption of changes, technologies and client expectations, it is inevitable to transform the way how organizations operate. A typical response to problems is a switch to agile operating model, but what does such a change imply? What are the pitfalls and what are the potential benefits?</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/uOzWhZ2tNUM"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uOzWhZ2tNUM" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure>

<h2>Prof. RNDr. Juraj Hromkovič, DrSc.: Let´s Create a New Future Through the Discovery Processes of the Past &nbsp;</h2>

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<p><strong>Prof. RNDr. JURAJ HROMKOVIČ, DrSc. (ETH Zürich)</strong><br>Juraj studied computer science at the Comenius University in Bratislava and has worked as a professor at five universities - for the last 20 years at ETH Zürich. In his professional life, he has mainly focused on algorithmics, but teaching has always been his hobby. His books have been published in English, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Slovak, French and Italian. In 2005, he founded the Centre for Computer Science Education at ETH intending to educate the teachers who teach children and students from kindergartens to high schools. As an endurance athlete (trail running), he successfully embarked on his longest track - to convince the Swiss society of the need to introduce a compulsory computer science subject at all school levels as a replacement for the superficial computer driving licence. Under his leadership, 18 computer science textbooks, and more than 20 interactive learning environments have been created, as well as more than 5,000 teachers and 600 classes have attended courses at the learning center.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Why do we still miss a universal guide on how to teach successfully? Because learning is nothing but a process of personal development, and as we know, it is difficult to give universal instructions on how to live properly. Today's schools live in a 200-year-old model, which mainly aims to teach how to perform activities correctly according to the given instructions. In the age of automation and AI, the ability to act according to a given pattern is "last winter's snow" and its value, like the snow, is fading fast. The professions of the future require flexibility, creativity, imagination and originality. The school of the future must not only teach about the finished products of science (facts, models, theorems, technological products) and how to use them, but also about the processes of discovering, verifying and creating them. In this session, we will use the example of teaching computer science to show how our knowledge of the historical development of the field we are studying allows us to find a way to teach it, during which our students will find their enthusiasm for discovery and thus develop their creative potential.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/ezSKW9RKR2I"><div style="position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ezSKW9RKR2I" style="position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0;" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></figure><p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>JANA HERMANOVÁ</strong><br>Jana is an enthusiast for constant change, dynamics, and improvement. She joined SOFTEC in 2023 and brings more than 20 years of experience in a variety of industries, including banking, insurance, energy, pharma, and healthcare. Jana has participated in several business and IT transformation projects in various roles, from process design expert to program manager. In her free time, she likes to seek adventure through travel, combining exploring cities and sights with spending time in nature.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>MIRO VLADÁR</strong><br>Miro has always been fascinated by innovations in technology and especially by the possibilities of their use in the enterprise world. He gradually moved from applying them in programming itself, through the possibility of using them in the design and implementation of software architecture to complex solutions for the modern transformation of key systems. He is interested in the pragmatic use of new approaches to digitalization and how to turn buzzwords like microservice, DevOps Cloud or Data mesh into meaningful solutions. He helps build a vision for a long-term sustainable FutureIT that enables the business to grow and respond to the rapid pace of change.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Už 21 rokov prináša spoločnosť SOFTEC príležitosť na stretnutie biznis a IT komunity. Témy a rečníkov vyberáme vždy starostlivo tak, aby sme prinášali hodnotný pohľad na aktuálne trendy a zdieľali inšpiratívne príbehy z praxe. Ako už napovedá téma Transformácia: Návrat do budúcnosti, tento rok sme sa ponorili do príbehov digitálnej transformácie z rôznych odvetví s pohľadom do minulosti, súčasnosti i budúcnosti.​

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<p><strong>10.00-10.25&nbsp;</strong><br><strong>Šimon Skrak (SOFTEC)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Keynote – Back to the Future</p><p><strong>10.25-10.50</strong><br><strong>Dr. Marko Ranković (Raiffeisen Processing Centre)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Transformation Strikes Back!</p><p><strong>10.50-11.15</strong><br><strong>Tomáš Beljak (ex-Sygic)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Culture, Buzzwords and their Role in Transformation</p><p><strong>11.15-11.40</strong><br><strong>Michal Raab (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</strong>&nbsp;<br>When Innovation Meets Tradition</p><p><strong>11.40-12.40&nbsp;</strong><br>LUNCH</p><p><strong>12.40-13.05</strong><br><strong>Juraj Tlstý (Slovenská sporiteľňa)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Agility - Pitfalls and Benefits<i>&nbsp;</i></p><p><strong>13.05-13.55</strong><br><strong>Prof. RNDr. Juraj Hromkovič, DrSc. (ETH Zürich)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Let´s Create a New Future Through the Discovery Processes of the Past &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Moderators: <strong>Jana Hermanová</strong> and <strong>Miro Vladár (both SOFTEC)</strong><br><br>*The conference language is Slovak and simultaneous translation (EN) will be provided.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>WHO WILL SPEAK AT THE CONFERENCE?</h2>

<p><strong>ŠIMON SKRAK (SOFTEC)</strong><br>Šimon leads the Telco business unit for Slovakia and the Czech Republic at SOFTEC. His extensive experience includes both local and international client assignments in telco industry (Slovakia, Germany, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary). Before joining SOFTEC in 2023, he spent more than 20 years at Accenture where he supported the fundamental transformation of Slovak Telekom and other important projects. During the past 6 years, he helped develop the newly established digital division Accenture Song in both Prague and Bratislava and was involved in the digital transformation of Škoda Auto, the largest exporter in the Czech Republic.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Similarly to the hero in our headline movie who travelled between the past, the present and the future, we will take a look back at the expectations brought by IT trends. How are we currently succeeding in meeting them? And how to be in control of the future so that we are prepared for further changes?</p>

<p><strong>Dr. MARKO RANKOVIĆ (Raiffeisen Processing Centre)</strong><br>Marko has spent most of his professional career in banking, specifically in card payment processing. The experience of being a soccer referee, a university professor, and working at a bank where he had many different technical and business tasks related to processing card payments, equipped him with a&nbsp;variety of unique perspectives. He is currently the General Manager and Executive Director of Raiffeisen Processing Centre, a part of Raiffeisen Bank International. He has published 4 books and more than 50 articles in scientific and professional journals. He is happily married and a proud father of 4 children.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Change, and thus transformation, is constant. Today’s businesses and organizations&nbsp;cannot afford to slow down and relax. Relaxation in the business environment has paradoxically become life-threatening. What is it like to be one of the largest card processing companies in the market and to reflect the speed of changes in the banking sector, which creates pressure to transform, and do business differently, better and more efficiently?</p>

<p><strong>TOMÁŠ BELJAK (ex-Sygic)</strong><br>With 20 years of experience primarily in IT, Tomáš is passionate about solving complex problems, crises, and challenges that we face when developing software. If asked about the key success factors, he would highlight the laser focus on the continuous delivery of value to end users at speed, on the leadership style that encourages individuals to take responsibility, and on the autonomy of team members.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Buzzwords - we all know them. They are often the driving force behind transformation. We innovate, we automate, we migrate, we deploy... But have we achieved the results expected at the beginning? And to what extent is their successful implementation being influenced by the culture of the team or the company?</p>

<p><strong>MICHAL RAAB (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</strong><br>Michal heads the research and development software center for the world’s leading manufacturer of laboratory measuring equipment. 12 years ago, he started as a research scientist at a small startup company, which he helped transform into a medium-sized subsidiary with 120 employees. He is particularly interested in modelling physicochemical processes to interpret measurements, but he is also fascinated by data analytics or machine learning. He and his colleagues often struggle with the pitfalls of DevOps and Cloud, as well as with the challenges of outdated applications in the rapidly changing world of (bio)chemical industry requirements.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>A specific feature of the regulated industry is a conservative customer who, on the one hand, enjoys advances in information technology, but, on the other hand, rejects changes in their own structures, often running on archaic hardware and operating systems. In the university environment, openness and the possibility of cooperation are important for the advancement of science. However, the same science in a pharmaceutical company environment means a hermetically sealed infrastructure with the primary focus on security. We will discuss these and other conflicting customer requirements, as well as their impact on the structure of the organization and processes, from the perspective of a company that has been supplying products to these specific markets for the last 25 years.</p>

<p><strong>JURAJ TLSTÝ (Slovenská sporiteľňa)</strong><br>Juraj has 20 years of experience, mainly in banking, where he has held roles ranging from a developer to IT development management, DevOps and banking transformation. Juraj keeps looking for new ways to increase efficiency and organization’s performance,&nbsp;and how to improve the ways of working and people’s mindset.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Transformation - a word that makes every manager tingle, for better or for worse. In today's world of accelerating adoption of changes, technologies and client expectations, it is inevitable to transform the way how organizations operate. A typical response to problems is a switch to agile operating model, but what does such a change imply? What are the pitfalls and what are the potential benefits?</p>

<p><strong>Prof. RNDr. JURAJ HROMKOVIČ, DrSc. (ETH Zürich)</strong><br>Juraj studied computer science at the Comenius University in Bratislava and has worked as a professor at five universities - for the last 20 years at ETH Zürich. In his professional life, he has mainly focused on algorithmics, but teaching has always been his hobby. His books have been published in English, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Slovak, French and Italian. In 2005, he founded the Centre for Computer Science Education at ETH intending to educate the teachers who teach children and students from kindergartens to high schools. As an endurance athlete (trail running), he successfully embarked on his longest track - to convince the Swiss society of the need to introduce a compulsory computer science subject at all school levels as a replacement for the superficial computer driving licence. Under his leadership, 18 computer science textbooks, and more than 20 interactive learning environments have been created, as well as more than 5,000 teachers and 600 classes have attended courses at the learning center.</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Why do we still miss a universal guide on how to teach successfully? Because learning is nothing but a process of personal development, and as we know, it is difficult to give universal instructions on how to live properly. Today's schools live in a 200-year-old model, which mainly aims to teach how to perform activities correctly according to the given instructions. In the age of automation and AI, the ability to act according to a given pattern is "last winter's snow" and its value, like the snow, is fading fast. The professions of the future require flexibility, creativity, imagination and originality. The school of the future must not only teach about the finished products of science (facts, models, theorems, technological products) and how to use them, but also about the processes of discovering, verifying and creating them. In this session, we will use the example of teaching computer science to show how our knowledge of the historical development of the field we are studying allows us to find a way to teach it, during which our students will find their enthusiasm for discovery and thus develop their creative potential.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

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We at SOFTEC look forward to welcoming you as our guest at SOFTECON 2024.

Up-to-date information about the agenda can always be found at www.softecon.sk/en/vip 

Parking for our guests will be available free of charge in the Eurovea garages throughout the event. Please make sure to take your parking ticket and our staff will subsidize it for 6 hours of free parking.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at events@softec.sk or at the phone number +421 2 4949 0000.

<p>Thank you for your registration. We look forward to welcoming you as our guest at the SOFTECON 2024.</p><p>Please find attached a placeholder that you can save in your calendar.</p><p>Parking for our guests will be available free of charge in the Eurovea garages throughout the event. Please make sure to take your parking ticket and our staff will subsidize it for 6 hours of free parking.</p><p>If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at <a href="mailto:events@softec.sk">events@softec.sk</a> or at the phone number +421 2&nbsp;4949&nbsp;0000.</p>

We have also sent the registration confirmation to your email. We look forward to meeting you at the SOFTECON 2024 event.
​

Prijmite naše pozvanie a pridajte  sa k vybraným hosťom konferencie SOFTECON 2024. Už 21 rokov prináša spoločnosť SOFTEC príležitosť na stretnutie biznis a IT komunity. Témy a rečníkov vyberáme vždy starostlivo tak, aby sme prinášali hodnotný pohľad na aktuálne trendy a zdieľali inšpiratívne príbehy z praxe. Ako už napovedá téma Transformácia: Návrat do budúcnosti, tento rok sa ponoríme do príbehov transformácie z rôznych odvetví s pohľadom do minulosti, súčasnosti i budúcnosti.​ Pre vybraný okruh pozvaných hostí prinášame možnosť prednostnej bezplatnej registrácie. Keďže počet miest je limitovaný, neváhajte a zaregistrujte sa už dnes. Uzávierka registrácií pre našich hostí je 6. mája 2024.   ​

SOFTECON 2024 - Transformácia: Návrat do budúcnosti

<p><strong>09.00-10.00&nbsp;</strong><br>BREAKFAST</p><p><strong>10.00-10.20&nbsp;</strong><br><strong>Peter Morávek (CEO, SOFTEC)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Artificial Intelligence - Modern Theatre or ...?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>10.20-10.50</strong><br><strong>Slavomír Pšenák (CTO, O2 Slovakia)</strong>&nbsp;<br>AI Is Here - Now What?</p><p><strong>10.50-11.20</strong><br><strong>Tomáš Horníček (Enterprise Architect, VÚB Banka - Intesa Sanpaolo Group)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Innovations in the Punk Way!&nbsp;</p><p><strong>11.20-12.30&nbsp;</strong><br>LUNCH</p><p><strong>12.30-13.15</strong><br><strong>Martin Hronský (Chief Architect, SOFTEC)&nbsp;</strong><br><strong>Andrea Borčinová (Head of Retail Business Architecture, ČSOB - KBC Group)</strong><br><strong>Peter Petruš (AI Expert, 365.bank)&nbsp;</strong><br>Moderated by <strong>Jakub Šimko (Lead Researcher, KInIT)</strong><br>Panel discussion: The Role of Generative AI in Software Development&nbsp;</p><p><strong>13.15-13.45</strong><br><strong>Daniel Duranka (CEO, Pixel Federation)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Play It Safe with Data or Dare to Risk a Vision?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>13.45-14.30</strong><br><strong>Peter Agh (Author of computer science textbooks)</strong>&nbsp;<br>A Vibrant School for AI&nbsp;</p><p>Moderators: <strong>Jana Hermanová (SOFTEC)</strong> a <strong>Šimon Skrak (SOFTEC)</strong></p><p><strong>14.30-15.30&nbsp;</strong><br>COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>*The conference language is Slovak and simultaneous translation (EN) will be provided.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Will AI play a major role and become a director who determines the dramaturgy, or will it remain only as a tool in the hands of creators or a silent backstage performer? How far can we push the boundaries of collaboration between humans and AI so that it is still our performance and not just a perfect simulation?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Peter Morávek, CEO, SOFTEC</strong>&nbsp;<br>Peter Moravek has over 25 years of experience in the technology services industry and currently serves as the CEO of SOFTEC. Under his leadership, SOFTEC has further strengthened its position in the region and deepened long-term partnerships with clients in more than 10 countries - including national branches of international groups such as Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Generali, Allianz, KBC, Raiffeisen, Erste, Intesa Sanpaolo, Vienna Insurance Group, and others. He is passionate about the development of human potential through technology, which remains one of his key areas of interest. In his free time, he enjoys travel and jogging, cycling, hiking, and exploring new cultures.</p>

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<p>Artificial Intelligence has become an everyday part of business - it is not just a vision of the future, but a reality that is changing the way companies operate. Slavomir Pšenák will share his view on the current dynamics of AI trends from the perspective of a technology leader. He will present practical examples to demonstrate where AI delivers real benefits, as well as acknowledge the barriers, disappointments and risks. Your key takeaways from his session will include a more realistic view of how to use AI to your advantage and what to look out for in practice.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Slavomir Pšenák, CTO, O2 Slovakia</strong>&nbsp;<br>Slavomír Pšenák is Chief Technology Officer at O2 Slovakia, with responsibility for IT and network development and innovation. He was previously Managing Director at InoCloud and has many years of experience from Erste Group IT and IBM. He has led several successful projects in the field of artificial intelligence, cloud and digitalization. His expertise combines technological vision with practical solutions for large enterprises.</p>

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<p>Innovation doesn't have to start with a large-scale project. Sometimes all it takes is a laptop, enthusiasm and the right people. VÚB Bank shows how to start a meaningful AI transformation from the bottom up - through a community of employees with a passion to experiment and look for internal solutions. During the discussion, we will zoom in on how the bank learns first on its own so that it can later offer AI solutions to clients. The focus will be on efficiency, reusability of solutions and especially on the human at the center of the interaction.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Tomáš Horníček, Enterprise Architect, VÚB Banka - Intesa Sanpaolo Group</strong>&nbsp;<br>Tomáš Horníček has more than 25 years of experience in IT. His primary focus is enterprise and IT architecture and new technologies. He grew up in the open source world. He has extensive experience in implementing large and complex projects in the telecommunications and financial industries. He is currently an Enterpise Architect at VÚB Bank. In the role of solution architect he has worked on several transformation projects, such as implementation of a hosting solution, replacement of a billing system at a telecom operator, consolidation of data centers, replacement of a banking core system, transition of infrastructure to the cloud, or implementation of internet banking.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Generative AI is making its way into software development impacting everything from coding and documentation to interface design. But what’s real progress, and what’s just hype? In a discussion led by researcher Jakub Šimek experts from business and software development will explore where generative AI truly adds value and where it encounters limitations. Together with experienced professionals from business and software development, we will discuss specific practical applications and evaluate how AI has the potential to solve the most critical problems in the application development process.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Jakub Šimko, Lead Researcher, KInIT</strong>&nbsp;<br>Jakub Šimko is a Research Fellow at the Kempelen Institute for Intelligent Technologies (KInIT), where he leads the web and user data processing team. His research focuses on topics such as generative AI, human-computer interaction, crowdsourcing and data augmentation. He is interested in how AI in symbiosis with humans can change the way we create and use information.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Martin Hronský, Chief Architect, SOFTEC</strong>&nbsp;<br>Martin Hronsky is Chief Architect at SOFTEC and a key creator of digitization projects for the insurance industry. He played a vital role in transforming core systems and implementing modern services for both clients and sales networks. As a technology enthusiast with a keen sense for reality, he strives to balance innovation with business needs. He sees generative AI not just as a trend but as a tool with tangible impact.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Andrea Borčinová, Head of Retail Business Architecture, ČSOB (KBC Group)</strong>&nbsp;<br>As the Head of Retail Business Architecture and Development at ČSOB, Andrea Borčinová plays a key role in shaping the bank’s digital transformation. She leads the coordination of business requirements to ensure alignment with the bank's strategic priorities and emerging market trends. With a strong focus on digital innovation, Andrea is passionate about leveraging modern technologies to simplify banking processes and create meaningful, customer-centered experiences.<br><br><strong>Peter Petruš, AI Expert, 365.bank</strong>&nbsp;<br>Peter Petruš has been with 365.bank for more than 11 years. For the majority of his career, he worked as a software engineer, but for the past three years, he has been fully dedicated to the field of artificial intelligence. Since 2024, he has been the first AI expert in the bank. In his work, he focuses on the creation of AI strategy, the implementation of intelligent tools, as well as the implementation of concrete solutions using artificial intelligence in practice.</p>

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<p>What if the data suggests it’s better to stay grounded, but your intuition is pulling you in a different direction? Should we treat customers based solely on data, or do we also need heart, experimentation, and faith to “risk” a vision? Daniel Duranka will reveal how Pixel Federation strikes a balance between rational decision-making and the spontaneity of the creative business. He’ll share a real-life story where the combination of data, experience, emotions, and freedom plays a key role.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Daniel Duranka, CEO, Pixel Federation</strong>&nbsp;<br>Daniel Duranka is the CEO of Pixel Federation, the largest gaming studio in Slovakia. After completing his studies in management, he joined Accenture, where he gained experience working on over 25 consulting projects across various industries and countries. For more than a decade, he has been combining a systems approach with creative freedom, leading Pixel Federation toward sustainable growth without sacrificing spontaneity.</p>

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<p>To help children navigate a future shaped by artificial intelligence, it’s not enough to teach them about AI — we need to prepare them for AI. Peter Agh will demonstrate how computer science education can develop key competencies starting in primary school. Using real-life examples, he will present a dynamic and innovative approach to teaching about AI that helps children understand technology and think critically about it. This talk is an inspiration for anyone who cares about the future of education.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Peter Agh, author of computer science textbooks, IT consultant</strong>&nbsp;<br>Peter Agh is the author of successful computer science textbooks for primary schools, published in the Czech Republic. He focuses on designing educational architecture and exploring new possibilities in computer science teaching. With 20 years of experience in software engineering and project management, he also works as an IT consultant and business architect with a strong interest in the intersection of technology and education.</p>

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<p><strong>Jana Hermanová, Senior Manager, Innovations, SOFTEC</strong>&nbsp;<br>Jana is a fan of constant change, dynamics and improvement. She joined SOFTEC in 2023 and brings more than 20 years of experience across a variety of industries, including banking, insurance, energy, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Jana has been involved in multiple business and IT transformation projects in a variety of roles, from process design expert to program manager. In her spare time, she likes to seek adventure through travel, combining exploring cities and sights with spending time in nature.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Šimon Skrak, Director for Telco, SOFTEC</strong>&nbsp;<br>Šimon leads the telecommunications division at SOFTEC for both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He brings extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, gained through projects in Slovakia, Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. During his 22 years at Accenture, he was involved in major initiatives, including launch of the company’s newly established digital division in Prague and Bratislava, fundamental transformation of Slovak Telekom, as well digital transformation of Škoda Auto, the largest exporter in the Czech Republic.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

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Už 22 rokov je konferencia SOFTECON tradičnou platformou, kde sa stretáva biznis s technológiami. Minulý ročník privítal 300 lídrov a expertov z popredných spoločností ako Tatra banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, ČSOB, Union, Kooperatíva, Orange, O2, Slovak Telekom a mnohých ďalších. Tento rok sa v útulných priestoroch Divadla Aréna zameriame na žiarivú hviezdu biznisovo-technologickej scény – generatívnu umelú inteligenciu. Pozrieme sa na to, ako ju firmy skutočne využívajú, kde už prináša reálnu hodnotu a kde zatiaľ zostáva skôr „divadlom“. Ukážeme konkrétne príklady využitia generatívnych modelov – od vývoja softvéru, cez zlepšovanie zákazníckej skúsenosti, až po retenciu zákazníkov. A nezabudneme ani na vzdelávanie: ako prispôsobiť školský systém, aby boli deti pripravené na svet, v ktorom AI hrá čoraz významnejšiu úlohu? Zarezervujte si svoje miesto už dnes. Pre pozvaných hostí spoločnosti SOFTEC je účasť bezplatná. 

SOFTECON 2025 - AI na scéne inovácií

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<p>Už 22 rokov je konferencia SOFTECON tradičnou platformou, kde sa stretáva biznis s technológiami. Minulý ročník privítal 300 lídrov a expertov z popredných spoločností ako <a href="https://www.tatrabanka.sk/sk/personal/">Tatra banka</a>, Slovenská sporiteľňa, ČSOB, Union, Kooperatíva, Orange, O2, Slovak Telekom a mnohých ďalších. Tento rok sa v útulných priestoroch Divadla Aréna zameriame na žiarivú hviezdu biznisovo-technologickej scény – generatívnu umelú inteligenciu. Pozrieme sa na to, ako ju firmy skutočne využívajú, kde už prináša reálnu hodnotu a kde zatiaľ zostáva skôr „divadlom“. Ukážeme konkrétne príklady využitia generatívnych modelov – od vývoja softvéru, cez zlepšovanie zákazníckej skúsenosti, až po retenciu zákazníkov. A nezabudneme ani na vzdelávanie: ako prispôsobiť školský systém, aby boli deti pripravené na svet, v ktorom AI hrá čoraz významnejšiu úlohu?</p>

<p><strong>09.00-10.00&nbsp;</strong><br>BREAKFAST</p><p><strong>10.00-10.20&nbsp;</strong><br><strong>Libor David (Digital Architect, SOFTEC)</strong>&nbsp;<br>AI vs. IT: Competition or Collaboration? And what does the Channel Tunnel have in common with modern AI?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>10.20-10.50</strong><br><strong>Martin Kobza (COO, Česká spořitelna - part of Erste Group)</strong>&nbsp;<br>AI leader in Czech banking: where is AI value and what is hype at the scale of the country’s largest bank&nbsp;</p><p><strong>10.50-11.20</strong><br><strong>Pavel Kučera (Deputy Director of Claims, Kooperativa pojišťovna - part of Vienna Insurance Group)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Behind the Claim: how automation and AI are transforming claims handling&nbsp;</p><p><strong>11.20-13.00&nbsp;</strong><br>LUNCH</p><p><strong>13.00-13.45</strong><br><strong>Miroslav Chlipala (Lawyer, Advokáti Chlipala)&nbsp;</strong><br>The AI Act in Practice&nbsp;</p><p><strong>13.45-14.15</strong><br><strong>Tomáš Sýkora (Principal GenAI GTM Specialist, Amazon Web Services)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Path to production: what actually separates AI demos from running systems &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>14.15-14.45</strong><br><strong>Matej Balog (Team Lead, Google DeepMind)</strong>&nbsp;<br>Using AI for algorithmic and scientific discovery&nbsp;</p><p>Moderators: <strong>Alena Škvareninová (SOFTEC)</strong> a <strong>Martin Blažek (SOFTEC)</strong></p><p><strong>14.45-16.00&nbsp;</strong><br>ICE CREAM TASTING</p>

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<p><strong>Libor David (Digital Architect, SOFTEC)</strong><br>Libor David graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Since 2021, he has been working with SOFTEC as a Digital Architect. Prior to that, he built his career in Accenture’s consulting division, progressing from early professional roles to leading the financial services client segment across the region. He has contributed to digital transformation initiatives for major financial institutions in Central Europe and gained additional international experience on projects in the United States. Alongside his work, he also mentors promising startups and collaborates with innovative startup accelerators.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>We hear it everywhere today: AI is going to replace people. Yet American author Kevin Kelly argues that AI delivers its greatest value when combined with human capabilities. In his session, Libor David will explain why the strongest outcomes come from the intersection of AI, traditional programming, and human expertise, and why projects built on AI alone so often fall short. He will also offer a surprising comparison: what do successful AI initiatives and building tunnels beneath the sea have in common?&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Martin Kobza (COO, Česká spořitelna - part of Erste Group)</strong><br>Martin Kobza is a technology and digital banking leader with more than 20 years of international experience across Slovakia, Germany, and Central Europe. Since starting his career in 2003, he has held senior leadership roles in IT, digital transformation, and operations. &nbsp;</p><p>After joining Erste through Slovenská sporiteľňa in 2008, he went on to serve as Managing Director of Erste Group IT SK and CIO of Slovenská sporiteľňa. He later joined Erste Group Bank AG, where he led Group Digital Governance in IT and Retail and helped establish the Digital Banking division within Erste Group IT. &nbsp;</p><p>Martin also played a central role in the expansion of George (Erste Group’s digital banking platform) across multiple markets, later serving as CEO of George and Managing Director of George Labs. From late 2021, he is COO of Česká spořitelna, with responsibility for IT and Operations. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>With 4.5 million clients, Česká spořitelna is the largest bank in the Czech Republic and, in recent years, also one of its most awarded. It is also among the frontrunners in AI adoption in Czech banking. After years of hands-on experience and dozens of deployed use cases, its COO will offer an unfiltered perspective on which AI solutions have delivered measurable value and which ones, despite high expectations, have failed. In an organization of 10 000 employees, AI is not just a technological shift, but a business and human transformation as well. Which trends have they chosen to embrace in the AI era, and which principles remain unchanged?&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Pavel Kučera (Deputy Director of Claims, Kooperativa pojišťovna - part of Vienna Insurance Group)&nbsp;</strong><br>Pavel Kučera is an experienced leader with more than 20 years of expertise in digitalization, financial products management, and process optimization across financial services. He has held leadership roles at Volkswagen Financial Services and GE Money, where he managed large teams, built product portfolios, and drove innovation in process management. At Kooperativa, he is currently responsible for the development and methodology of claims management, with a focus on modernizing key processes, integrating claims handling into a new application and core system, and advancing automation and the practical use of AI.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>What does claims handling look like when automation, standardization, and AI come together behind the curtain? This session will openly walk through the journey of our project, from a fragmented process, through the introduction of unified rules, to the gradual integration of intelligent technologies. It will also highlight the practical use of Camunda, decisions around vendor lock-in, and why we keep critical parts of the process under our own control. No marketing buzzwords, just a real-world perspective on how automation and AI are reshaping the day-to-day work of claims professionals.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Miroslav Chlipala (Lawyer, Advokáti Chlipala)&nbsp;</strong><br>A lawyer with 20 years of experience specialising in IT law and modern technologies. Under his leadership, his law firm has been consistently recognised in both domestic and international rankings for its expertise in these areas. He is a member of the Permanent Commission for AI Ethics and Regulation at MIRRI SR and a co-author of the commentary on the Cybersecurity Act. He also co-founded the course Information and Communication Technology Law at FIIT STU. In addition, he is an active author of numerous expert articles and several publications focused on IT law.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>AI is becoming an integral part of modern IT solutions. At the same time, a far-reaching regulatory framework is emerging, focused on safety, transparency, and risk management. The AI Act is fundamentally reshaping the rules for organizations that develop, implement, or use AI in their products and services. We will offer a practical perspective on what the new regulation means in the day-to-day reality of IT projects, from solution design to deployment. It will focus on key obligations, common areas of ambiguity, and the real risks organizations are facing today. The discussion will explore where companies most often make mistakes, what can no longer be ignored, and how to set up AI projects so they are not only innovative, but also sustainable from a regulatory perspective.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>Tomáš Sýkora, Principal GenAI GTM Specialist, Amazon Web Services &nbsp;</strong><br>Tomáš is a Principal GenAI GTM Specialist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leads agentic AI strategy for software companies across EMEA. With over 20 years of experience spanning enterprise architecture, product management, and AI deployment, he helps organizations navigate the shift from traditional software to autonomous AI systems, covering everything from technical architecture to pricing models and go-to-market strategy.</p><p>Before stepping into his current role, he served as Principal Solutions Architect at AWS. He holds a Master’s degree from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava with a thesis on neural networks and speech synthesis, and is the creator of Living Governance, an open-source framework for executable AI governance in enterprise environments. He lives in Munich with his family.<br>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>Every organization can build an AI demo in a week. Fewer than 10% get to production. This session draws on real deployment patterns across European software companies and enterprises to map what actually blocks the path to production and what accelerates it.&nbsp;<br><br>We’ll cover the operational realities that don’t show up in proofs of concept: model routing and cost control, observability for autonomous agents, governance architectures that satisfy regulators without killing velocity, and the security threats emerging in multi-agent systems.&nbsp;<br><br>The session closes with a practical framework for what technology leaders and software vendors can do today to position for production-ready AI even before the tooling fully matures.</p>

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<p><strong>Matej Balog, Team Lead, Google DeepMind&nbsp;</strong><br>Matej Balog is a research scientist at Google DeepMind in London, where he leads a team focused on developing AI systems capable of discovering new algorithms to solve complex computational problems and advance scientific discovery. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of breakthrough systems such as AlphaTensor, FunSearch, and AlphaEvolve.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What will we talk about?</strong><br>AI excels at generating text and writing code, yet when it comes to the most complex tasks, it still runs into limits of reliability and the problem of hallucinations. In this session, we will take a closer look at how agentic systems such as AlphaEvolve address this challenge by autonomously generating solutions, testing them rigorously, and improving them through iterative refinement. Through real-world examples, we will show how this agentic approach can optimise Google’s global computing infrastructure while also breaking mathematical records that have stood for decades. The talk will focus on the technical reality of autonomous discovery, its current limitations, and the impact AI agents may have on the future of software engineering and scientific research.&nbsp;</p>

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Thank you for your interest in attending the 23rd edition of the SOFTECON conference.

We are currently processing your registration and will inform you of the outcome shortly.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact us at events@softec.sk or by phone at +421 2 4949 0000.

<p>Thank you for your interest in attending the 23rd edition of the SOFTECON conference.</p><p>We are currently processing your registration and will inform you of the outcome shortly.</p><p>If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact us at events@softec.sk or by phone at +421 2 4949 0000.</p>

<p>Už 22 rokov je SOFTECON miestom, kde sa stretáva biznis s technológiami. Minulý ročník privítal vyše 300 lídrov a expertov z popredných spoločností v regióne.&nbsp;</p><p>Ďalšia edícia SOFTECONu sa uskutoční 21. mája 2026 v priestoroch Divadla Aréna v Bratislave. Čakajú vás reálne príbehy úspešných stredoeurópskych firiem, ktoré pomocou technológií a umelej inteligencie posúvajú svoj biznis vpred.&nbsp;</p>

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We at SOFTEC look forward to welcoming you as our guest at SOFTECON 2026.

Up-to-date information about the agenda can always be found at www.softecon.sk/en/vip 

Free parking for our guests will be available throughout the event at the nearby parking lot on Tyršovo nábrežie.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at events@softec.sk or at the phone number +421 2 4949 0000.

<p>Thank you for your registration. We look forward to welcoming you as our guest at the SOFTECON 2026.</p><p>Please find attached a placeholder that you can save in your calendar.</p><p>Free parking for our guests will be available throughout the event at the nearby parking lot on Tyršovo nábrežie.</p><p>If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at <a href="mailto:events@softec.sk">events@softec.sk</a> or at the phone number +421 2&nbsp;4949&nbsp;0000.</p>

We have also sent the registration confirmation to your email. We look forward to meeting you at the SOFTECON 2026 event.
