7 noteworthy conference sessions we're eager to attend
The Netherlands' hottest tech festival, the EY x The Next Web Conference, recently took place at NDSM-Plein in Amsterdam, attracting a vibrant crowd over two days. The event, known for its focus on innovation and technology, featured a comprehensive agenda and high-profile speakers in AI, healthcare technology, sustainability, and digital innovation.
Kicking off the conference was Natalia Martin from EY, who delivered a talk on "Scaling AI Adoption Across Complex Organizations," emphasizing the potential of AI in integrating into complex business strategies. Other key discussions included innovative monetization strategies in the usage-based economy, presented by Kim Verkooij (Solvimon) and Daan van Cann (EY).
Thomas Hufener (Kaiko.ai) highlighted AI's potential in revolutionizing oncology care within healthcare technology, while a workshop on fostering collaboration in Europe was led by Igor Mikhalev and Sebastian Kortmann. The future of work and the essential skills women need in the tech industry were explored in the Women in Tech panel, moderated by Anna van den Breemer (EY).
On the second day, EY presented an AI-driven transformation journey, and insights into the future of innovation were provided by Rune Theill (Rockstart) and Simon Bushell (Sympower). Jacqueline van den Ende (Carbon Equity) spoke about sustainable investment practices, and Else Luisman (TikTok) and Marisa Wilkes (EY) discussed the cultural impact of TikTok’s algorithm. Workshops focused on AI for customer experience, and the festival concluded with perspectives on retail innovation by Picnic and business finance by GoDutch.
The festival also featured unique networking spaces like the EY Padel Court, enhancing the collaborative and innovative atmosphere of the event. Other notable technology events in the Netherlands around the same time included CollabDays Netherlands 2025, focusing on Microsoft 365 and Power Platform. However, the EY x The Next Web Conference stood out for its comprehensive agenda and high-profile speakers.
One of the highlights of the conference was the session "A drink with an F-bomb killer," where Scott Mann, a British film director turned tech founder, shared insights on building cutting-edge startups and AI's future in entertainment. Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and the first Black woman to travel on a commercial space flight, also discussed developments in Europe's spacetech scene.
The session "DEI or Die" discussed why startups should continue to pursue inclusive strategies, featuring Matthijs Welle, Raashi Sikka, Constantijn Van Oranje, and Ingrid Tappin. The session "Are we there yet? Launching the EU's space ambitions" will explore Europe's spacetech innovations, bold projects, and key challenges.
For those interested in attending the conference next year, the code "our websiteXMEDIA2025" can be used at the ticket checkout to get 30% off over 95% of the conference tickets. The festival is not to be missed for anyone keen on staying updated on the latest trends and developments in technology.
- In the realm of healthcare technology, Thomas Hufener discussed how AI could potentially revolutionize oncology care.
- Discussions on lifestyle also extended to the impact of TikTok's algorithm, as Else Luisman and Marisa Wilkes delved into this topic at the EY x The Next Web Conference.
