NexTech 2018 Conference: Special Coverage
Hundreds of people participated on Thursday at NexTech 2018, the Third International Conference on Advanced Technologies. The speaker roster included senior industry leaders, high-ranking government and military officials, and prominent academics
IsraelDefense
| 15/11/2018
NexTech 2018 Conference (Photo: Tisha Mayles)
The NexTech international conference on advanced technologies, which took place today at the Gav Yam Negev High-Tech Park in Be’er-Sheva, Israel, provided a meeting ground for key industry and academia representatives from around the world, engaged in cutting-edge technological development.
The conference, held for the third consecutive year, is a joint initiative of the Cybertech global industry event, Gav-Yam Negev High-Tech Park, Ben-Gurion University, and the city of Be’er-Sheva.
The conference hosted leading international and Israeli companies and startups along with major research institutes. The speaker roster includes senior industry leaders, high-ranking government and military officials, prominent academics and investors.
Opening remarks were given by Conference Chair Dr. Orna Berry, President of Ben-Gurion University Prof. Rivka Carmi, and Gav-Yam CEO Avi Yakobovich.
Prof. Carmi said in her address that the Gav Yam Negev High-Tech Park is a real asset to Israel. While the vision of the IDF relocation to the south has not yet been fully realized, the park offers a unique connection between international companies unlike anywhere else.
After Carmi mentioned the delay in the relocation of Unit 8200 to the south, Dr. Berry said that the announcement of the winners of the tender to establish the new IDF C4i Compound is “excellent news.” She also lauded the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) for being the only entity to keep its promise to move to the Negev region.
Next to take the stage was Yigal Unna, Director-General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, who talked about state-level cybersecurity. Unna revealed that the INCD is opening a ‘hotline’ to help citizens experiencing cyberattacks.
“The State of Israel must ask itself which technologies it should invest in, in order to maintain a global competitive advantage,” said Prof. Eviatar Matania, former Director-General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate during a special panel on artificial intelligence and quantum computing. “At the moment, there are some 250 people from different fields who are going to lead an integrated committee. The goal is to present a national plan to the Knesset within a few months.”
Dr. Irit Idan, Executive VP R&D at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, announced that her company, which already operates some 22 COEs, will open a Center of Excellence for Autonomous Systems in Be’er-Sheva.
Dr. Shlomi Kodish, Director-General of the Soroka Medical Center, focused his address on Futuristic Medicine.
Brig. Gen. Rami Malachi, Commander of IDF’s Lotem Unit, talked about innovation in C4i and technology.
NexTech 2018 hosted a global symposium on robotics in cooperation with Ben-Gurion University. The event also featured an exhibition showcasing futuristic technological systems and solutions, with a special emphasis on promising startup companies.
The conference also welcomed numerous delegations from various countries.
***
Photography: Tisha Mayles
Hundreds of people participated on Thursday at NexTech 2018, the Third International Conference on Advanced Technologies. The speaker roster included senior industry leaders, high-ranking government and military officials, and prominent academics
NexTech 2018 Conference (Photo: Tisha Mayles)
The NexTech international conference on advanced technologies, which took place today at the Gav Yam Negev High-Tech Park in Be’er-Sheva, Israel, provided a meeting ground for key industry and academia representatives from around the world, engaged in cutting-edge technological development.
The conference, held for the third consecutive year, is a joint initiative of the Cybertech global industry event, Gav-Yam Negev High-Tech Park, Ben-Gurion University, and the city of Be’er-Sheva.
The conference hosted leading international and Israeli companies and startups along with major research institutes. The speaker roster includes senior industry leaders, high-ranking government and military officials, prominent academics and investors.
Opening remarks were given by Conference Chair Dr. Orna Berry, President of Ben-Gurion University Prof. Rivka Carmi, and Gav-Yam CEO Avi Yakobovich.
Prof. Carmi said in her address that the Gav Yam Negev High-Tech Park is a real asset to Israel. While the vision of the IDF relocation to the south has not yet been fully realized, the park offers a unique connection between international companies unlike anywhere else.
After Carmi mentioned the delay in the relocation of Unit 8200 to the south, Dr. Berry said that the announcement of the winners of the tender to establish the new IDF C4i Compound is “excellent news.” She also lauded the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) for being the only entity to keep its promise to move to the Negev region.
Next to take the stage was Yigal Unna, Director-General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, who talked about state-level cybersecurity. Unna revealed that the INCD is opening a ‘hotline’ to help citizens experiencing cyberattacks.
“The State of Israel must ask itself which technologies it should invest in, in order to maintain a global competitive advantage,” said Prof. Eviatar Matania, former Director-General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate during a special panel on artificial intelligence and quantum computing. “At the moment, there are some 250 people from different fields who are going to lead an integrated committee. The goal is to present a national plan to the Knesset within a few months.”
Dr. Irit Idan, Executive VP R&D at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, announced that her company, which already operates some 22 COEs, will open a Center of Excellence for Autonomous Systems in Be’er-Sheva.
Dr. Shlomi Kodish, Director-General of the Soroka Medical Center, focused his address on Futuristic Medicine.
Brig. Gen. Rami Malachi, Commander of IDF’s Lotem Unit, talked about innovation in C4i and technology.
NexTech 2018 hosted a global symposium on robotics in cooperation with Ben-Gurion University. The event also featured an exhibition showcasing futuristic technological systems and solutions, with a special emphasis on promising startup companies.
The conference also welcomed numerous delegations from various countries.
***
Photography: Tisha Mayles
