DLA Piper European Technology Summit 2023

Pathways to growth

Tuesday, 7 November 2023, Dublin

About

On Tuesday, 7 November, the sixth edition of our European Tech Summit, was held at The Convention Centre Dublin, located in the heart of the city’s cluster of high-growth tech companies. 

Our programme covered key issues impacting companies in the context of emerging technology, innovation and the pursuit of growth. AI, digital transformation, cyber security, tech M&A and investment trends will all feature prominently on the agenda.

Esteemed business leaders from the European tech industry and beyond, along with key figures shaping the regulatory and financial landscape, gathered to explore the major issues affecting the marketplace and the impact of emerging technologies over the next decade.

This event attracted attendees from across Europe’s technology, media and telecommunications industries, as well as financial services, retail, manufacturing and other industries looking to grasp opportunities and manage risks arising from digital transformation. This event was of great interest also to private equity and venture capital organisations, entrepreneurs, investors from digital startups, and local and regional regulators. To keep up to date with the latest DLA Piper Tech Sector news and thought leadership activity, follow our social media channels: LinkedIn and Twitter, while our Technology’s Legal Edge blog offers you our latest insights on the legal developments affecting the technology sector.

Catch up

European Tech Summit 2023 – aftermovie

Opening keynote speech

Panel: Pioneering the future of artificial intelligence

Flashtalk: The social impact of technology

Accelerator panel: Governance, innovation and strategy

Keynote speech by Mark Little

Flashtalk: Thinking space: the opportunities & threats of satellite imagery

Panel: EU emerging tech regulations

Keynote speech by John Abel

Speaker bio

Close
Sam Zell

Sam Zell

Chairman

Equity Group Investments

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Sam Zell is the Chairman of Equity Group Investments (EGI), the private investment firm he founded more than 40 years ago. The firm's investments span industries and continents and include interests in finance, energy, transportation, communications, health care and real estate. Mr. Zell is recognized as a founding father of today's public real estate industry after creating three of the largest REITs in history.

He is also Founder and Chairman of Equity International, a private investment firm focused on building real estate-related businesses in international emerging markets. Mr. Zell has been particularly active in bringing Equity International's companies to the public markets.

Three of these investments are listed on the New York Stock Exchange: Gafisa, a leading homebuilder in Brazil; Xinyuan, a fast-growing regional homebuilder in China; and Homex, Mexico's leading homebuilder. A fourth, BR Malls, Brazil's largest retail property owner and operator, is listed on the Bovespa.

Agenda

12:00 - 13:00
Registration and lunch
13:00 - 13:20
Welcome and introduction
Mark Rasdale, Mark O'Conor and Hannah Smith
Speakers
Mark Rasdale

Mark Rasdale

Partner

DLA Piper

Mark O'Conor

Mark O'Conor

Partner

DLA Piper

Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith

Senior Marketing & BD Manager - Technology

DLA Piper

13:20 - 13:40
Keynote: Simon Coveney, Minister for Entreprise, Trade and Employment
Simon Coveney
Speakers
Simon Coveney

Simon Coveney

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

13:40 - 14:10
Opening plenary panel: Pioneering the future of artificial intelligence
Moderator: Gareth Stokes
Adam Czekalowski, Victoria C. Albrecht and Imogen Palmer

Discover how fine-tuned AI can revolutionise the way we leverage artificial intelligence and the opportunities it presents for businesses across various sectors. Gain valuable insights into its advantages, impact on data governance, and scalability, empowering you to navigate the evolving landscape of AI technology. In this session, the panellists discussed the legal aspects and implications surrounding fine-tuned AI deployments and provide insights into the advancements in this innovative approach. Furthermore, the panel shared their experiences and shed light on the benefits and challenges of implementing fine-tuned AI systems.

Moderator
Gareth  Stokes

Gareth Stokes

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Adam Czekalowski

Adam Czekalowski

Senior Developer Relations Manager LLMs and GenAI

NVIDIA

Victoria C. Albrecht

Victoria C. Albrecht

Cofounder and CEO

Springbok AI

Imogen Palmer

Imogen Palmer

Associate Legal Counsel

Google Cloud

14:10 - 14:20
Flash talk: Tech solutions for positive social impact
Sandra Healy and Alice Duffy
Speakers
Sandra Healy

Sandra Healy

CEO & Founder

inclusio

Alice Duffy

Alice Duffy

Legal Director

DLA Piper

14:20 - 14:45
Networking break and refreshments
14:45 - 15:10
Accelerator panel: innovation, strategy and governance
Moderator: Paul Allen
Caroline Gorski, Nicola O'Connor and Jason Mowles

This panel session explored the interplay between Strategy, Innovation, and Governance in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The discussion delved into how businesses can strategically harness disruptive technologies to gain a competitive edge, foster innovation to drive meaningful growth, and implement effective governance frameworks to address ethical, legal, and societal challenges. Our panellists shared practical insights and best practices that empower the audience to navigate the complexities of today's digital frontier with confidence.

Moderator
Paul Allen

Paul Allen

Global Co-Chair, Intellectual Property and Technology

DLA Piper

Speakers
Caroline Gorski

Caroline Gorski

CEO

Capital Enterprise

Nicola O'Connor

Nicola O'Connor

Chief Information Security & IT Risk Officer

AIB

Jason Mowles

Jason Mowles

CEO and Co-Founder

CergenX

15:10 - 15:40
Keynote speech: The Human In the Loop... the art of business leadership in the age of artificial intelligence
Mark Little

Mark Little took us on a personal journey along the fault line of artificial intelligence and business leadership. A successful entrepreneur and technology executive, Mark has harnessed AI as the engine of his business success. But he also discovered the importance of human intelligence in the age of superhuman technology. This session served as a guide to business growth and professional development through the eyes of a seasoned innovator.

Speakers
Mark Little

Mark Little

Broadcaster, entrepreneur and technology leader

15:40 - 15:55
Flash talk: Thinking space: the opportunities & threats of satellite imagery
Chris Newlands

Real-time satellite imagery, which focuses on human activity, livestock and assets, can utilise Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to help simplify an increasingly complex commercial landscape. Earth observation from space will touch every sector, supporting the battle for increased productivity, whilst limiting our impact on our precious planet. Imagine if SatNav streamed live satellite images, emergency responders could save lives, when every second counts. Space observation is evolving rapidly, this is the time to redefine what’s possible, however collaboration is key. This session explored the unique opportunities and threats space technology, through Earth Observation, can offer businesses around the globe.

Speakers
Chris Newlands

Chris Newlands

CEO & Founder

Space Aye

15:55 - 16:05
Change to go to breakout rooms
16:05 - 16:30
Tech M&A outlook - what to expect in 2024
Moderator: Daphne Bens
Laura Dillon, Tom O’Connor and Anya Cummins

Despite the current economic turbulence, companies continue to see important potential to create value and achieve growth through acquisitions. In addition to discussing current M&A trends in Europe, this panel will reflected on the key findings of DLA Piper’s latest Technology Index report; our study that explores the perceptions and attitudes of technology growth. Our survey provides clear evidence that the main motivation for acquiring external businesses continues to be access to new technology. What are the key technological challenges when acquiring an external company? What are the key drivers for M&A? Is the war for talent intensifying? Or are companies making an acquisition for defensive purposes?

Moderator
Daphne Bens

Daphne Bens

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Laura Dillon

Laura Dillon

Partner

Waterland

Tom O’Connor

Tom O’Connor

CEO

Version 1

Anya Cummins

Anya Cummins

Head of Financial Advisory

Deloitte

16:05 - 16:30
Cyber security: navigating the new age of digital resilience
Moderator: John Magee
Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux, Andrew Serwin and Pat Ryan
Moderator
John Magee

John Magee

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux

Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux

Senior Vice President Enterprise Technology

IDA Ireland

Andrew Serwin

Andrew Serwin

Partner

DLA Piper

Pat Ryan

Pat Ryan

Detective Superintendent

Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau

16:30 - 17:00
Tech investment market and trends
Moderator: Edel O'Kelly
Mark Cockerill, Carl Murray and Yvonne Fern
Moderator
Edel O'Kelly

Edel O'Kelly

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Mark Cockerill

Mark Cockerill

VP Legal – Corporate, Securities, M&A and International Development

ServiceNow

Carl Murray

Carl Murray

Associate

Elkstone Private

Yvonne Fern

Yvonne Fern

General Counsel

Talon Outdoor

16:30 - 17:00
Top trends powering digital transformation – opportunities and challenges
Moderator: Ewa Kurowska-Tober
Vinny Sanchez, Mike Webster and Catherine O’Doherty

Across almost every sector of the economy, organizations are talking with increased urgency about the need to transform their businesses by employing new and/or disruptive technologies. This panel discussed how businesses can succeed in Industry 4.0 covering areas such as Cloud Computing. What are the drivers of digital transformation, the importance of purpose and culture, and how to create a digitally evolved organisation.

Moderator
Ewa Kurowska-Tober

Ewa Kurowska-Tober

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Vinny Sanchez

Vinny Sanchez

Global Co-Chair, Technology Transactions and Strategic Sourcing

DLA Piper

Mike Webster

Mike Webster

Head of Digital Innovation

DCC Plc

Catherine O’Doherty

Catherine O’Doherty

Associate Partner, Business & Digital Transformation

Sia Partners

17:00 - 17:15
Networking break and refreshments
17:15 - 17:40
Emerging EU tech regulations as a competitive advantage
Moderator: Kristof De Vulder
Lord Tim Clement-Jones, Phil Hogan and Christina Demetriades
Moderator
Kristof De Vulder

Kristof De Vulder

Partner

DLA Piper

Speakers
Lord Tim Clement-Jones

Lord Tim Clement-Jones

Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson Liberal Democrats

House of Lords

Phil Hogan

Phil Hogan

Former Member of European Commission

Christina Demetriades

Christina Demetriades

General Counsel EMEA & Global Legal Transformation and Strategy Lead

Accenture

17:40 - 18:00
Closing keynote
John Abel
Speakers
John Abel

John Abel

Technical Director, Office of the CTO

Google Cloud

18:00 - 18:05
Closing remarks
Mark O'Conor and Mark Rasdale
Speakers
Mark O'Conor

Mark O'Conor

Partner

DLA Piper

Mark Rasdale

Mark Rasdale

Partner

DLA Piper

What past delegates say

"DLA hit a homerun this year. It was the best summit I have attended. It was highly engaging from the outset and it’s worth mentioning that a number of people I spoke to said the same. Finally, your choice of venue was also inspired. Good location, good facilities and good food."

Senior Legal Counsel at an American multinational corporation that develops video, voice and content collaboration and communication technology