Tech Workshop 2025 commences on Thursday
Latvia Kicks Off Defence Tech Pre-Acceleration Program
Latvia has taken a significant step forward in the realm of defence technology with the launch of its first pre-acceleration program. The initiative, aimed at boosting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthening public administration efficiency, has received funding from the Latvian government and several universities and research institutions.
The programme's speakers and main stakeholders are linked with Latvia's top educational and scientific organizations, including the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, University of Latvia, Riga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University. Agnese Oļševska, Deputy Director for Innovation at the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia's Export and Innovation Department, emphasized the importance of defence tech startups, stating they bring flexibility, innovation, and new approaches to national security ecosystems.
The focus areas of the pre-acceleration program include the safe and coordinated use of AI, defence-related tech acceleration, and ensuring the alignment of AI with public interest to enhance efficiency in public administration.
Funding for this defence pre-acceleration program has been specifically allocated by the Latvian government to universities and scientific bodies. Additionally, potential private sector contributions have been noted, such as SIA Mikrotīkls donating €1 million towards scholarship programs linked to the University of Latvia.
Latvia's defence modernization efforts are part of a broader European context, reflected in its participation in EU-wide initiatives like the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, which aims to accelerate defence spending with EU-backed loans. The country also collaborates with other nations, particularly Germany, in projects focusing on defence innovation and capability enhancement.
The defence-themed session will be opened by Diāna Baranova, Director of the Defence Industry and Innovation Policy Department at the Ministry of Defence. Speakers at the conference will include former Latvian Defence Minister Artis Pabriks, former Estonian Defence Forces Deputy Commander Veiko-Vello Palms, Hansu Kristensen from Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Teemu Seppälä from Finland's Defence Innovation Network, Kaspars Pollaks from LMT Defence, and military expert Glenn Grant.
The conference, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) projects, the European Recovery Fund, and the State budget, will cover more than 40 topics, including industry trends, artificial intelligence, researcher-entrepreneur collaboration, funding, space and related technologies, quantum technologies, and defence/security tech. Minister President Manuela Schwesig of Germany will participate in the session on security technologies.
In addition to the defence-focused event, the Northern Europe's largest deep-tech entrepreneurship event will take place on May 15-16 at Fantadroms in Riga. A programme honouring women's excellence in science and technology will take place on May 16, in collaboration with Riga TechGirls. Maritime Brand- und Sicherheitszentrum Ostsee from Rostock, a company specialising in maritime security technologies, will also attend.
More details about the conference can be found on the conference website. Over 100 speakers and panellists will participate in the event, and discussions will revolve around cross-border collaboration strategies, building resilient infrastructure, and public-private partnerships in fostering defence innovation. Discussions on the role of artificial intelligence and robotics in modern defence will also take place.
The pre-acceleration program in Latvia, which focuses on defense technology and AI, is funded by the Latvian government, several universities, and research institutions. (+ Latvian government, universities, research institutions, pre-acceleration program, defense technology, AI)
The broader European context of Latvia's defense modernization includes EU initiatives like the Safety Action for Europe (SAFE) program and collaboration with countries such as Germany, with discussions on the role of AI and robotics in modern defense. (+ EU, initiative, SAFE program, Germany)
Additionally, artificial intelligence is a focus area in the pre-acceleration program, aiming to ensure its safe and coordinated use, aligning it with public interest to enhance efficiency in public administration. (+ artificial intelligence, focus area, safe use, public interest, public administration efficiency)
The conference, covering topics like industry trends, AI, defense tech, and security tech, will involve more than 100 speakers and panellists, with discussion revolving around cross-border collaboration strategies, building resilient infrastructure, and public-private partnerships. (+ conference, industry trends, AI, defense tech, security tech, speakers, panellists, cross-border collaboration, resilient infrastructure, public-private partnerships)
