Credit: ICTLuxembourg
On Wednesday 19 June 2024, ICTLuxembourg announced it commemorated a milestone in its journey by celebrating its tenth anniversary at a gala at BIL in Luxembourg.
This event convened leaders and innovators from the Grand Duchy’s information and communication technology ecosystem for an evening of celebration and forward-thinking discussions.
Since its inception in 2014, ICTLuxembourg noted it has positioned itself as a platform for fostering and promoting technological innovation in Luxembourg. With its 22 members, primarily representing professional associations, as well as public research institutions and companies, ICTLuxembourg aims to align the interests of the ICT sector and foster a vibrant and collaborative technology ecosystem.
The event was marked by a number of speeches. Olivier Gorin, COO and Member of the Executive Committee of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL), inaugurated the conference with his welcoming remarks. He stated: “BIL is the place to be tonight for all we have accomplished in ICT transformation at the bank and for being the home of the CIO of the Year, just elected a few weeks ago. I’m convinced that technology offers the possibility to reshape the business.” Gorin congratulated ICTLuxembourg and the ecosystem for contributing to “redefine the world of possibilities.”
Elisabeth Margue, Luxembourg’s Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Media and Connectivity, and Stéphanie Obertin, Minister for Digitalisation also held speeches on this occasion. They underscored the importance of innovation and digitalisation for Luxembourg’s future.
Minister Margue said: “Ten years ago, tech companies were considered as only niche businesses, but as we have ensured that Luxembourg is digitally well connected to major European capitals, provides a favourable legal framework, and by investing in cybersecurity to protect our shared digital assets, the sector developed into a strong pillar for the country. We want to remain the frontrunner in digital technology, the key being also the strong partnership we have established between the public and private sectors.”
Addressing the AI strategy and the quantum computing initiatives currently under development, Minister Obertin continued: “On 12 June, we filed the bill relating to the valorisation of data in a trusted environment and the implementation of the ‘once only’ principle. The text also applies certain provisions of the Data Governance Act. Thus, the government aims to give entirely new added value to the data held by the State.”
Amal Choury, Chairwoman of ICTLuxembourg, then took the stage to present an overview of the ecosystem’s achievements over the past ten years, highlighting ICTLuxembourg’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth in the ICT field. Amal Choury also stated: “Our mission was clear from the start: to create synergy between the various stakeholders in the sector, whether they are associations or large companies, service providers or users, or public research institutions, to jointly tackle the challenges of digitalisation and build a competitive environment in Luxembourg.”
A highlight of the evening was the keynote speech by Yvo Volman, from the Directorate General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission. He concluded the session by discussing the challenges and opportunities related to data and artificial intelligence in the coming digital decade. Volman began with a quiz: “In your opinion, which European policies originated here: those on quantum computing, the metaverse and virtual worlds, or digital identities?”, specifying the role of DG Connect in Luxembourg. “Well, it’s all three.” Setting the stage for the Digital Decade, Volman presented the ambition of the DG to establish a comprehensive digital rule book in the EU. “Data is the raw material for the economy and AI travels at the speed of data,” he said, emphasising the driving role of the entire ecosystem.
“Past achievements are no guarantee of future success, especially in a world where technology evolves at a fast pace. Digital and energy transitions are at the heart of current challenges, and we are pleased that Luxembourg has fully understood this,” Amal Choury remarked. Calling on all talents in society to address these challenges, the Chairwoman took this opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ICTLuxembourg with two female ministers responsible for digitalisation in the government, presenting them with a bouquet and saluting the members of the association and the ICTLuxembourg board for their unwavering commitment to advancing digital technology in society.
ICTLuxembourg acts as a coordination platform for associations in the ICT sector in Luxembourg, aiming to strengthen synergies and the exchange of information between its members, which include associations, academics and companies, in order to support the national and international growth and expansion of the technology ecosystem. ICTLuxembourg aims to amplify the voices of players in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, fintech, innovation, startups and many more.
The gala concluded with a convivial dinner, where guests had the opportunity to network and celebrate a decade of successful innovations and collaborations.
