The Culture and Technology Conference, promoted by the Aveiro City Council, took place on December 13th, 2024, at the Aveiro Congress Center. The event brought together experts, academics, and leaders from various sectors to discuss the intersection of technology, industry, and work. Among the distinguished participants was Paulo Firmeza, General Manager of Altice Labs.
Paulo Firmeza joined a panel discussion titled “The Impact of New Technologies on the World of Work” alongside Dora Martins, professor at the Porto Accounting and Business School (ISCAP-IPP), and Pedro Santos, vice-president of Digital Economy Association (ACEPI). The session was moderated by Helena Norte, editor-in-chief of Jornal de Notícias [News Journal].
In his speech, Paulo Firmeza addressed the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present for companies, with a particular focus on security and adaptability. He highlighted Altice Labs’ innovations in cybersecurity and emphasized the importance of leveraging technological transformation to invest in reskilling people to meet new market demands. According to the General Manager, this is the ideal time to reorient talent towards more strategic and creative roles, allowing technologies to automate routine tasks.
Paulo Firmeza also conveyed an optimistic message, noting that new technologies can lead to significant increases in efficiency and productivity for both companies and professionals.
In addition to the panel, the conference explored the impact of new technological tools on artistic creation and discussed the risks and opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence. Topics included the impact of AI on daily life and ongoing efforts to regulate this technology.
The session also featured speeches by Ribau Esteves, Mayor of Aveiro; Vítor Santos, Director of Jornal de Notícias; and José Pina, coordinator of Aveiro 2024 – Portuguese Capital of Culture, as well as contributions from various academics and specialists.