Bled, October 20, 2023 - The Annual Presidents’ Forum, hosted by the IEDC-Bled School of Management, remains an unmissable event for regional and global executives alike.
This year's focus, "AI: How Small Countries Can Compete against Big Players," attracted leaders from both public and private sectors, all eager to discuss the potential of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for global competitiveness.
The event featured expert insights, engaging discussions, and the launch of a groundbreaking initiative.
AI: A Game Changer for Small Countries
The forum was opened by Prof. Danica Purg, President of IEDC, and Slovenian Minister of Digital Transformation, Dr. Emilija Stojmenova Duh.
Prof. Philip Parker, INSEAD-Chaired Professor of Management Science and Marketing, delivered a thought-provoking keynote on the various facets of AI and its strategic implications for smaller nations.
Following the keynote, a dynamic roundtable discussion, moderated by Prof. Parker, brought together distinguished business leaders, including Mr. Maxim Korseko of Meta, Poland; Prof. Dunja Mladenić from the Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia; and Dr. Miha Mlakar, the Co-founder of Pareto AI, Slovenia.
Mplus: Nurturing Innovation
Mplus, a staunch advocate for innovation, proudly supports initiatives driving progress in the constantly evolving business landscape. The launch of the Bled Institute for Leadership in Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (BILDAI), a partnership with Roche, is a great example of such forward-thinking endeavors.
This visionary undertaking, spearheaded by Prof. Stjepan Orešković, President of the Supervisory Board of IEDC - Bled School of Management and majority shareholder of Mplus Group, is the outcome of a collaborative partnership between IEDC Bled School and Roche Slovenija.
BILDAI's mission is to harness the transformative potential of AI and digitalization, enabling small nations and businesses to compete on the global stage effectively.
Mplus Group's support of IEDC Bled, in which it is a shareholder, aligns with our commitment to continuous learning, innovative thinking, and adaptation to change. This is further underscored by our continuous investments in our operational and technology segments, where we focus on developing in-house solutions.
One notable recent investment in this direction is BuzzEasy, an AI-powered communication platform that transforms chat into a versatile contact center, thereby enhancing user experiences throughout the Group's operations.
Panel Discussion: "Developing Modern Institutions to Lead Digital Change and Manage AI"
In a thought-provoking panel discussion during the forum, Stjepan Orešković engaged a group of managers and experts representing leading companies and institutions in AI development and digitalization.
This panel included Ms. Barbara Domicelj of Microsoft Slovenia, Ms. Eva McLellan of Roche Slovenia, Prof. Igor Rudan from the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Robert Sackstein from Harvard University, and Mr. Jorge Fernández Vidal of Liechtenstein Group.
The discussions delved into the pivotal role of institutions in spearheading digital transformation and overseeing AI, all while considering the impact of AI on our quality of life and the complex web of regulations that surround it.
Prof. Orešković emphasized the urgent need for modern, transparent, and inclusive institutions in our 21st-century society.
He asserted, "Institutions that adapt and collaborate effectively are the linchpin of our success. The ability of our society to collaborate more effectively than others will be at the heart of our institute's primary mission."
The conference concluded on a high note with the presentation of the Alumni Achievement Awards 2023, honoring outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
