Luxembourg hosts Nexus2050
Nexus2050 serves as an international hub for stakeholders combining ecological and digital transitions, aiming to leverage technology to assist governments, organizations, and businesses in achieving their net-zero strategies by 2050. It focuses on using technology to propel human progress, considering productivity gains while addressing critical ethical issues.
Nexus2050 is designed as a boutique-style gathering, crafted to inspire while maintaining an intimate, human-scale atmosphere. Set over two days at Luxexpo The Box, the event will feature an exhibition zone, symposium, international matchmaking zone, numerous side events, and a seated dinner. Expecting 5,000 attendees from over 50 countries, the conference will host over 300 speakers, approx. 150 startups and 70 exhibitors.
This inaugural edition will cover main topics including AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and fintech. The opening ceremony on June 26 at 10 AM will feature speakers such as HRH the Crown Prince, Luxembourg’s Minister of Economy Lex Delles, EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, Ukraine’s Acting Minister of Veterans Affairs Oleksandr Porkhun, Luxembourg Mayor Lydie Polfer, and Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Director Carlo Thelen.
Over two days, across five stages, more than 300 speakers will share insights in various formats such as keynotes, panel discussions, and fireside chats. Notable speakers include Maurice Lévy (Publicis, VivaTech), Max Tayenthal (N26), Eryka Lehr (Google), Eiso Kant (Poolside), Alexandre Mars (Epic Foundation), and futurists Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg and David Shrier.
“Luxembourg has always punched well above its weight in terms of innovation. I am firmly convinced that we should continue to foster this openness and provide platforms for our innovation champions. That is what inspired me to join Nexus2050 for its first edition, and I’m looking forward to its success,” says Xavier Bettel, Vice Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
Ukraine as Guest Country
With formal negotiations for Ukraine joining the European Union set to start, Nexus2050 has partnered with the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, making Ukraine the guest country for this flagship event. This partnership will feature panel discussions, keynotes, and a showcase of Ukrainian startups focusing on cyberdefense, fintech, space, and telecom. Several Ukrainian government members will participate in the debates.
Pioneering Humanoid Sophia on Stage
Hanson Robotics’ most advanced humanoid, Sophia, embodies our aspirations for the future of AI. A unique amalgam of science, engineering, and artistry, Sophia represents both a science fiction character that depicts the future of AI and robotics, and a platform for advanced robotics and AI research. Since her debut in 2016, Sophia has captivated global audiences. She has served as the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme and became the world's first robot citizen.
Sophia’s contributions to technology have earned top AI awards, including Neurips, World Technology Awards, and the Edison Prize. Featured on BBC, CNN, Reuters, the Tonight Show, and Good Morning Britain, Sophia has become the world’s most famous robot, a beloved figure with millions of viewers, subscribers, followers, and fans, who regularly tune in to follow Sophia’s journey and latest developments.
What do you expect will be announced for 2024?
Here are some of the speakers’ answers: “In the remaining months of 2024, I expect major tech companies and AI labs to announce new breakthroughs in areas such as unsupervised learning, transfer learning, and few-shot learning. These advancements will enable AI systems to learn from smaller data sets, adapt to new tasks more easily, and generalize their knowledge across different domains,” says César Maklary, Co-founder and CEO of Fluidstack, the largest EU cloud computing company specialized in artificial intelligence.
Alexandre Mars from the Epic Foundation adds, “We will see agentive models with memory coming to market, enabling personalized AI for consumers and enterprises to be broadly commercialized.” Futurist Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg expects, “In 2024, Apple will announce their first augmented reality glasses, long anticipated by consumers and industry experts. Leveraging their ARKit and recent acquisitions in the AR space, Apple's AR glasses are predicted to integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, offering immersive experiences that blend digital information with the physical world. This innovation is expected to revolutionize how we interact with technology, making AR a mainstream tool for everyday use.”
Participants from Over 50 Countries
“Nexus2050, as Luxembourg’s International Tech Pulse Fair, aligns well with the European Commission’s priorities,” says Anne Calteux, Head of Representation, European Commission in Luxembourg, adding, “Whether it regards achieving climate neutrality by 2050, harnessing the Digital Decade, or empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens, these topics remain very important because the Commission advocates for a competitive, resilient, and sustainable Europe.”
Program and Participation Links
- Program: Nexus2050 Program
- Speakers: Nexus2050 Speakers
- Startups: Nexus2050 Startups
- Partners: Nexus2050 Partners
Nexus2050 in Numbers
- Expected attendees: Over 5,000
- Speakers: More than 300 across six stages
- Startups: Over 150
- Exhibitors: More than 70
International Matchmaking Zone by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Operated in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade as well as the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Offices.
Premier Institutional Partners
- European Commission
- Government of Luxembourg
- City of Luxembourg
- Luxinnovation
Global Partner
- Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Nexus2050 will take place at Luxexpo (Luxembourg, Luxembourg City). The exhibition zone will be open from 8 AM – 9 PM (June 26) and from 8 AM – 7:30 PM (June 27).
Nexus2050 is produced by E.I.G. Nexus2050, a joint venture of tech marketing agency The Dots and media company Maison Moderne.