Tech
AIVØLUT1ØN : inside Lisbon ’ s new AI conference
TECH CORRESPONDENT JOE GALLOP EXPLORES LISBON ’ S FIRST AI-DEDICATED CONFERENCE , WHERE CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION TOOK CENTRE STAGE .
I n a landmark event for Portugal ’ s tech community , the AIVØLUT1ØN conference recently made its debut in Lisbon , setting the stage as the first event in the city solely dedicated to the advancements and potential of artificial intelligence ( AI ). Organised by Europalco in collaboration with Knower Impact Meetings , the event brought together 300 business leaders , innovators and AI enthusiasts at the 2,200sqm Sala Tejo of the MEO Arena , 29 May .
The conference not only showcased the latest in AI-driven innovation but also highlighted Europalco ’ s ability to deliver an immersive , tech-forward experience .
The idea behind AIVØLUT1ØN was driven by a clear mission : “ To bring together the brightest minds and most passionate enthusiasts in AI to explore and showcase the technology ’ s transformative potential ,” said Europalco , who added Lisbon was chosen as the destination for its “ vibrant tech scene and a reputation for hosting significant events ”. The city ’ s central location in Southern Europe further cemented it as the ideal spot to attract a diverse international audience .
AIVØLUT1ØN ’ s success was in no small part due to Europalco ’ s comprehensive audiovisual ( AV ) and staging services . With a team of 28 dedicated professionals and two months of preparation , Europalco executed an ambitious AV set-up that included a 25-metre curved main screen , a four-metre circular screen , and 24 metres of side projection . This arrangement provided attendees with a fully immersive visual experience , enhanced by dynamic live projections that brought the conference ’ s futuristic theme to life .
Organising an event with such a high-tech focus came with its challenges . “ One of the biggest hurdles was coordinating the complex audiovisual set-up and ensuring all elements worked seamlessly together ,” the Europalco team shared . The integration of the 25-metre curved main screen with the
sophisticated sound and lighting systems was a “ massive undertaking ,” they said . However , through “ meticulous planning and close collaboration ,” Europalco said its extensive pre-event preparation and real-time troubleshooting ensured everything ran smoothly .
The technical complexity of the event was underscored by Europalco ’ s deployment of cutting-edge AV technology , including an L-Acoustics Kiva sound system , a lighting set-up featuring 14 mega point lights , and a combination of Christie Boxer 30000 and 16000 projectors , all controlled via a Christie Spyder X80 processor and PVP server . Europalco ’ s team again emphasised that the key to overcoming all obstacles was meticulous planning and close collaboration among the team .
The success of AIVØLUT1ØN has fuelled excitement for future AI conferences . “ The feedback from AIVØLUT1ØN has been incredibly encouraging , and it ’ s clear that there ’ s a strong appetite for more events of this calibre ,” the organisers noted . Looking ahead , while there are plans to explore “ new formats , perhaps incorporating even more interactive elements and cutting-edge technology to keep the experience fresh and engaging ”, but organisers told CMW there were no specific plans for the next version of the conference . n
ISSUE 132 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 55