President Duque, Sophia the Robot to Headline Andicom 2018 ICT Conference Next Week in Colombia

Colombia’s largest IT and communications conference will kick off next week in Cartagena, with two world-famous figures slated to make an appearance.

Colombian President Iván Duque, who took office earlier this month, will headline the first day of the Andicom 2018 International ICT Conference on Wednesday, July 29, offering insight into his policy to promote technology as a driver of economic growth over the next four years.

Photo: Manuel Martínez of CINTEL (right) shares the stage with Colombian former President Juan Manuel Santos at Andicom 2017 in Cartagena. (Photo credit: Jared Wade)

While the head of state will be hard to upstage, Sophia, the world’s first artificial intelligence citizen, may do just that. The Hong Kong “born” human-like AI will bookend the three-day conference, providing a closing keynote address on Friday afternoon.

The conference, which is organized by the Bogotá-based industry organization CINTEL, will also feature many other high-level speakers and presenters.

Japan has been chosen as this year’s guest country of honor, and Katsuya Watanabe, vice-minister for policy coordination in the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, will follow President Duque on the first morning to discuss ways that the tech-pioneering nation is continuing to find new ways to innovate.

Silvia Constaín, ICT Ministry of Colombia, will feature throughout the week and join Duque on stage at Andicom 2018 along with Keiichiro Morishita, Japan’s ambassador to Colombia.

In addition to other marquee speakers — including Airbnb executive Ethan Eissman, Michael Davies of FOX Sports, and well-known consultant and author Lluís Soldevila — Andicom 2018 will offer a wide range of business, educational, and networking opportunities.

Dedicated workshops will focus on the themes of Fintech, Social ICT, Tourism and ICT, Smart Grid Logistics, and Network Value.

“Undoubtedly, it’s the best place to interact with main actors of the TIC industry,” said Manuel Martinez Niño, executive director of CINTEL.

CINTEL is expecting to receive more than 5,600 visitors and around 120 exhibitors who will take part in the lectures, meetings, panel discussions, and more than 70 academic sessions.