DARWIN’S CIRCLE
February 18th, 2021
Palais Ferstel, Vienna
THIS YEAR IT’S ALL ABOUT
ONE TOPIC:
A global focus on risk prevention, economic re-direction and social adjustment through digitization & new technologies.
APPLY NOW
February 18th, 2021
Palais Ferstel, Vienna
THIS YEAR IT’S ALL ABOUT
ONE TOPIC:
A global focus on risk prevention, economic re-direction and social adjustment through digitization & new technologies.
APPLY NOW
OUR FIRST SPEAKERS AT DARWIN’S CIRCLE
Newton Howard
University of Oxford
Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Neurosurgery
——
"The brain communicates using a basic language. This brain language, the Fundamental Code Unit, allows us to listen to the brain, create a modulation pattern, and communicate with the neurons. Our mission is to utilize this brain language to restore dignity to those suffering from brain injury and disease."
University of Oxford
Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Neurosurgery
——
"The brain communicates using a basic language. This brain language, the Fundamental Code Unit, allows us to listen to the brain, create a modulation pattern, and communicate with the neurons. Our mission is to utilize this brain language to restore dignity to those suffering from brain injury and disease."
Eva-Maria Kirschsieper
Facebook
Director Public Policy
——
"We recognize the urgency of climate change and are committed to help tackle this crisis affecting communities around the globe. I am personally dedicated to support this effort in the best possible way."
Director Public Policy
——
"We recognize the urgency of climate change and are committed to help tackle this crisis affecting communities around the globe. I am personally dedicated to support this effort in the best possible way."
Josef Penninger
University of British Columbia
Director of Life Sciences Institute
——
"Genes hold the key to the mysteries of health and disease. We alter and study genes in mice, haploid cells, and organoids to unravel basic principles of human development and mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. This knowledge leads to better therapies."
University of British Columbia
Director of Life Sciences Institute
——
"Genes hold the key to the mysteries of health and disease. We alter and study genes in mice, haploid cells, and organoids to unravel basic principles of human development and mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. This knowledge leads to better therapies."
Josef Aschbacher
European Space Agency
Director of Earth Observations
——
"Imagine a world where every single person on this planet can get satellite data of any place in the world, for free, every day. "
European Space Agency
Director of Earth Observations
——
"Imagine a world where every single person on this planet can get satellite data of any place in the world, for free, every day. "
Kome Emuh
Goldman Sachs
Vice President
——
"It’s more than technology. It is an era of interconnectedness that shows little sign of abating and what has become clear is that you cannot apply old business models or mindsets to the new environment and hope to be successful."
Goldman Sachs
Vice President
——
"It’s more than technology. It is an era of interconnectedness that shows little sign of abating and what has become clear is that you cannot apply old business models or mindsets to the new environment and hope to be successful."
Alexander Wrabetz
ORF
General Director
——
"The time has come to clearly establish how and in which direction public broadcasting will develop. The strategic course to follow should be the transition from a public service broadcaster to a public service platform."
ORF
General Director
——
"The time has come to clearly establish how and in which direction public broadcasting will develop. The strategic course to follow should be the transition from a public service broadcaster to a public service platform."
Joanne Thurlow
Siemens Energy
Global Head of IT
——
"Stories matter. Stories are powerful. Stories Inspire. Stories allow us to connect. To feel. To remember. To motivate. To inspire to be more, do more. Stories can change the world of today – for you personally and for all global citizens. Want to change your world? The World? Start with a really good story"
Siemens Energy
Global Head of IT
——
"Stories matter. Stories are powerful. Stories Inspire. Stories allow us to connect. To feel. To remember. To motivate. To inspire to be more, do more. Stories can change the world of today – for you personally and for all global citizens. Want to change your world? The World? Start with a really good story"
Alexander Biach
Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Deputy Director
——
„Covid-19 caused a global economic virus. It is now time to invest in modern infrastructure and technology, to support the economy and the tight labor market. This effort will strengthen the business location and make it, in the long run, more attractive and competitive.”
Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Deputy Director
——
„Covid-19 caused a global economic virus. It is now time to invest in modern infrastructure and technology, to support the economy and the tight labor market. This effort will strengthen the business location and make it, in the long run, more attractive and competitive.”
Daisy Zhu
Huawei
VP of Wireless Marketing
——
"In challenging times like the ones we are facing right now, technologies like 5G or AI cannot only help bringing people back to normal life via remote conference, homeschooling or virtual medical treatment but also give companies, governments, and institutions the opportunity to deliver their services in a convenient, fast and safe way. To some extent, the Corona Pandemic has become the major accelerator for the Digital Transformation in our society."
Huawei
VP of Wireless Marketing
——
"In challenging times like the ones we are facing right now, technologies like 5G or AI cannot only help bringing people back to normal life via remote conference, homeschooling or virtual medical treatment but also give companies, governments, and institutions the opportunity to deliver their services in a convenient, fast and safe way. To some extent, the Corona Pandemic has become the major accelerator for the Digital Transformation in our society."
Jon Addison
LinkedIn
Vice President, EMEA Enterprise Sales
——
„Honoured to be part of LinkedIn’s mission to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. Whether it’s finding work, realizing your dream job, becoming great at what you do, or finding the best talent to take your business where it needs to go, LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”
Vice President, EMEA Enterprise Sales
——
„Honoured to be part of LinkedIn’s mission to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. Whether it’s finding work, realizing your dream job, becoming great at what you do, or finding the best talent to take your business where it needs to go, LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.”
Katrin Suder
Digital Council Of The German Federal Government
Chairwoman
——
„The last 6 months has shown us the importance of digitalization. We should use this impulse to develop digital solutions for today's and tomorrow's increasingly complex challenges, mobility, climate, automation, and also justice. Out of love for the future.”
Digital Council Of The German Federal Government
Chairwoman
——
„The last 6 months has shown us the importance of digitalization. We should use this impulse to develop digital solutions for today's and tomorrow's increasingly complex challenges, mobility, climate, automation, and also justice. Out of love for the future.”
Leonore Gewessler
Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Federal Minister
——
„Climate action has a triple benefit. Climate action supports local businesses, creates value locally, and generates thousands of sustainable jobs. It is the right solution at the right time. If we look at the climate crisis, once it is here, it is here to stay. Then a crisis situation will be our new normal. We need to focus all our energies, give our fullest commitment to prevent this from happening, and this is exactly what climate action and green innovations do: help us solve this big challenge of our time.”
Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Federal Minister
——
„Climate action has a triple benefit. Climate action supports local businesses, creates value locally, and generates thousands of sustainable jobs. It is the right solution at the right time. If we look at the climate crisis, once it is here, it is here to stay. Then a crisis situation will be our new normal. We need to focus all our energies, give our fullest commitment to prevent this from happening, and this is exactly what climate action and green innovations do: help us solve this big challenge of our time.”
Markus Müller
Medical University of Vienna
Rector
——
„Thanks to the latest developments in digitalisation and molecular medicine, the speed of advances in medicine is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. Medicine is becoming more and more personalized.”
Medical University of Vienna
Rector
——
„Thanks to the latest developments in digitalisation and molecular medicine, the speed of advances in medicine is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. Medicine is becoming more and more personalized.”
Andreas Bierwirth
Magenta Telekom
CEO
——
"Digitalization keeps whole economies up and running as we could all see in 2020, but it is even more powerful: Digitalization will change the planet to the better."
Magenta Telekom
CEO
——
"Digitalization keeps whole economies up and running as we could all see in 2020, but it is even more powerful: Digitalization will change the planet to the better."
Emerald De Leeuw
Logitech
EMEA Privacy Lead
——
"Technology should serve humanity, not undermine it."
Logitech
EMEA Privacy Lead
——
"Technology should serve humanity, not undermine it."
Jolawn Victor
Headspace
Chief International Officer
——
"During a time of unprecedented economic turmoil, investing in affordable mental health tools may be one of our most powerful ways to recover."
Headspace
Chief International Officer
——
"During a time of unprecedented economic turmoil, investing in affordable mental health tools may be one of our most powerful ways to recover."
Jochen Maas
Sanofi Germany
Managing Director Research & Development
——
"Digitization creates great potential for research. Thanks to AI, big data can be analyzed and patterns in data sets are recognized. This helps us in search of new active ingredients and the development of new drugs."
Sanofi Germany
Managing Director Research & Development
——
"Digitization creates great potential for research. Thanks to AI, big data can be analyzed and patterns in data sets are recognized. This helps us in search of new active ingredients and the development of new drugs."
Carolina Aguilar
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics
CEO
——
"The key to past, current and future transformation lies on our brain, understanding, treating and helping the brain to perform will ensure our health care sustainability while demonstrating the potential of our human race."
INBRAIN Neuroelectronics
CEO
——
"The key to past, current and future transformation lies on our brain, understanding, treating and helping the brain to perform will ensure our health care sustainability while demonstrating the potential of our human race."
Jochen Borenich
Kapsch BusinessCom
Member Of The Board & COO
——
"We strive every day to create business value with and for our customers in a variety of industries. Digital transformation is not a single event, it’s a leadership task. And it needs strong partnerships to be successful. 95% of all digital transformation projects fail to meet expectations. We, therefore, take responsibility for ensuring the success of digital projects."
Kapsch BusinessCom
Member Of The Board & COO
——
"We strive every day to create business value with and for our customers in a variety of industries. Digital transformation is not a single event, it’s a leadership task. And it needs strong partnerships to be successful. 95% of all digital transformation projects fail to meet expectations. We, therefore, take responsibility for ensuring the success of digital projects."
Eva Schönleitner
Crate.io
CEO
——
"In my working life, I have always sought to tackle global opportunities at the leading edge of technology. I've had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the needs of the manufacturing industry and how technologies can enable and accelerate the company’s digitalization journey. Now its time to apply this knowledge and realize the next industrial revolution – Industry 4.0."
Crate.io
CEO
——
"In my working life, I have always sought to tackle global opportunities at the leading edge of technology. I've had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the needs of the manufacturing industry and how technologies can enable and accelerate the company’s digitalization journey. Now its time to apply this knowledge and realize the next industrial revolution – Industry 4.0."
Alexander Schönegger
Philip Morris Austria
Managing Director
——
"To succeed in the ever changing environment companies have to harness digital information - including big data management - and technologies to improve performance as well as agility."
Philip Morris Austria
Managing Director
——
"To succeed in the ever changing environment companies have to harness digital information - including big data management - and technologies to improve performance as well as agility."
Alexander Windbichler
Anexia
Founder & CEO
——
"In times of crisis digitalization gets a major boost – true to the motto: optimize now or remain behind. At the same time, our industry is paradoxically a victim of digitization. Typical software developers or system administrators are replaced by cloud services. Certain tasks become automatized; others become more individual. Our industry has to adapt to that trend."
Anexia
Founder & CEO
——
"In times of crisis digitalization gets a major boost – true to the motto: optimize now or remain behind. At the same time, our industry is paradoxically a victim of digitization. Typical software developers or system administrators are replaced by cloud services. Certain tasks become automatized; others become more individual. Our industry has to adapt to that trend."
Wolfgang Kaps
Sanofi Austria
Managing Director
——
"We strive for an excellent Employee Experience & live Mobile Office. Performance & loyalty increase when leaders put trust in their employees. At Sanofi, our innovative New Work model was developed in a bottom-up process."
Sanofi Austria
Managing Director
——
"We strive for an excellent Employee Experience & live Mobile Office. Performance & loyalty increase when leaders put trust in their employees. At Sanofi, our innovative New Work model was developed in a bottom-up process."
Nora Blum
Selfapy
Co-Founder & CEO
——
"Our mission is to improve the care of millions of people with mental health problems through Selfapy's online courses. In contrast to the average waiting time of 3 to 6 months for a psychotherapy session, Selfapy gives people the opportunity to receive effective help immediately and regardless of location."
Selfapy
Co-Founder & CEO
——
"Our mission is to improve the care of millions of people with mental health problems through Selfapy's online courses. In contrast to the average waiting time of 3 to 6 months for a psychotherapy session, Selfapy gives people the opportunity to receive effective help immediately and regardless of location."
Kristina Knezevic
XING
Country Manager Austria
——
"The last few months have radically changed the world of work for companies and employees. New Work has been reality for many employed persons since the beginning of the Corona crisis at the latest. Flexible working hours, home office and agile working are in focus. It is our concern to further promote the dialogue on the future of work and to actively participate in shaping it."
Country Manager Austria
——
"The last few months have radically changed the world of work for companies and employees. New Work has been reality for many employed persons since the beginning of the Corona crisis at the latest. Flexible working hours, home office and agile working are in focus. It is our concern to further promote the dialogue on the future of work and to actively participate in shaping it."
Barbara Stöttinger
WU Executive Academy
Dean
——
"Technology has always revolutionized our world and helped us overcome challenges by providing new solutions, simplifying things or reducing complexity. Therefore, we should be open to new opportunities, but at the same time, think more carefully about the ethical and moral consequences related to those innovations. Technology alone is not going to solve the big problems of our times, but should be our friend in our endeavors to make the world a better place."
WU Executive Academy
Dean
——
"Technology has always revolutionized our world and helped us overcome challenges by providing new solutions, simplifying things or reducing complexity. Therefore, we should be open to new opportunities, but at the same time, think more carefully about the ethical and moral consequences related to those innovations. Technology alone is not going to solve the big problems of our times, but should be our friend in our endeavors to make the world a better place."
Matthias Moosbrugger
Rhomberg Bau
Member Of The Management & CDO
——
"The construction industry consumes the most resources and produces the most waste worldwide. This makes the effect we can achieve through innovation, digitization, resource efficiency and sustainable recycling management all the greater"
Rhomberg Bau
Member Of The Management & CDO
——
"The construction industry consumes the most resources and produces the most waste worldwide. This makes the effect we can achieve through innovation, digitization, resource efficiency and sustainable recycling management all the greater"
Dejan Jovicevic
der brutkasten
Co-Founder & CEO
——
der brutkasten
Co-Founder & CEO
——
Martin Kotynek
DER STANDARD
Editor In Chief
——
DER STANDARD
Editor In Chief
——
Siegfried Meryn
Health.DigitalCity.Wien
CEO
——
Health.DigitalCity.Wien
CEO
——
Marko Berkovic
GitHub
Regional Director, South EMEA, DACH
——
GitHub
Regional Director, South EMEA, DACH
——
Andreas Kunze
Konux
Co-Founder & CEO
——
"Tackling climate change is a long-term challenge for society, way beyond the current unique situation. Railway will play a major role in our long journey to lower CO2 emissions. But it needs to upgrade and digitize its infrastructure."
Konux
Co-Founder & CEO
——
"Tackling climate change is a long-term challenge for society, way beyond the current unique situation. Railway will play a major role in our long journey to lower CO2 emissions. But it needs to upgrade and digitize its infrastructure."
Check out our impressions from DARWIN’S CIRCLE 2019 and get inspired from opinion leaders from all across the world.
OUR PARTNERS AT DARWIN’S CIRCLE
OUR SUPPORTING NETWORKS
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FORMER SPEAKERS
Jimmy Wales
Wikipedia
Founder
Alexander Karp
Palantir Technologies
Founder & CEO
Ling Ge
Tencent
Chief European Representative
Michele Myauo
Microsoft
Director Cybersecurity & Secure Infrastructure Services Delivery
Philipp Rösler
Federal Republic Germany
Former Vice-Chancellor
Cameron McKnight
IGTV
Product Lead
Trevor Traina
USA
Ambassador
Terry von Bibra
Alibaba
General Manager Europe
Tina Kulow
Senior Director Corporate Communications
Jim Fanning
Amazon Web Services
Head of CEE
Jason Sobel
Airbnb
Head of Infrastructure
ChaoBin Yang
Huawei
President of 5G Product Line
Sophie Proust
Atos
CTO
Han Xiao
Tencent AI Lab
Engineering Lead
Stephanie Caspar
Axel Springer
President Technology & Data
Valentin Stalf
N26
Founder and CEO
Jonas Huckestein
Monzo
Co-Founder & CTO
Jennifer Sukis
IBM
Design Principal AI & Machine Learning
Isa Sonnenfeld
News Lab Lead DACH
Jörn Leogrande
Wirecard
Head of Innovation Lab
Sheree Atcheson
Women Who Code
Global Ambassador
Robert Machtlinger
FACC
CEO
James Kugler
Merck
CDO
Frans Johansson
The Medici Group
CEO
CHECK OUT OUR VIDEOS
FROM DARWIN’S CIRCLE 2019
Welcome & Good Morning
5G Gear Up, Inspiring The Future
Starting The Global Digital Revolution
Advancing AI For The Good Of All
Bringing Innovation From Europe To The World
Data Economy - Business Powered By AI
How Intelligent Are Your Business Platforms
The Urban Future - Reinventing A Smarter City
How Digitalization, Geopolitics And Economics Impact One Another
Founder's perspective
The Way Payment Technology Is Changing The Future Of Retail
The New Era Of Digital Transformers
Democracy In The Digital World
Rethinking Entrepreneurship - Age As An Underestimated Asset
Staying Ahead Of The Competition - Investing In Vienna As A Business Location
The Future Of Work - Shaping Employee Experience
2020 - The Future Of Digital Media
Closing Remarks