The first-ever AI Weekend in Rovinj, organized by CroAI and Weekend Media Festival, brought together a diverse crowd from the regional and global tech scene. Two days, packed with 11 lectures, 6 panels, 5 keynotes, and 2 fireside chats, created a dynamic atmosphere full of energy and great vibes. The event was a true chef’s kiss!
Keynote speaker Mark van Ryswyk (ex-Tinder) raised the important question: “Does today's technology truly serve human needs?” With 54% of AI users not trusting the data used to train AI systems, he emphasized the need to build user trust and give people control over their data.
Evanna Hu (CEO, Omelas) tackled the rapidly growing cyber threats in her talk, “AI and Cybersecurity: Expanding the Digital Battlefield,” noting that AI is both a tool for attackers and defenders. Her message? It’s no longer a matter of if you'll be attacked, but when.
Tobias Zwingmann (Rapyd.ai) delivered a powerful session, “How to Fail with AI and How to Succeed,” highlighting common mistakes organizations make when implementing AI and how to turn those failures into learning experiences.
Damir Sabol (Google/Photomath) wowed the audience with the story behind Photomath, which started as a simple solution to help his son with math and grew into one of the world’s most-used apps, now with over 700 million downloads.
The panel featuring Ivan Bešlić (Sofascore) and Hrvoje Ćosić (Aircash) explored how AI is transforming sports and fintech, from improving user experiences to managing risks like hate speech detection in live chats.
On the topic of AI regulation, Daniel Abbou (EU AI Forum) expressed concerns about the European AI Act during the panel “AI Act is out, what now?” His question echoed throughout the event: “Can we truly regulate something that constantly changes?”
Closing the loop on AI agents, Adam Silverman (AgentOps.ai) shed light on the booming market of AI agents and the challenges developers face in creating efficient, scalable AI systems for businesses.
The final word? AI is here to stay, and it’s clear that cooperation between governments, businesses, and startups will be key to harnessing its potential—something Dr. Mazin A. Gadir (IQVIA) emphasized in his keynote, focusing on AI innovation in healthcare and the role of governments in driving change.
A special thank you to Weekend Media Festival and Pepermint for welcoming us into the Weekend family, as well as to our sponsors and partners who made this event possible!
