Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sberbank, outlined a bold, multi-day vision for the Sber AI Journey conference. On the opening day, attendees can expect an immersive focus on artificial intelligence that blends deep technical exploration with practical, real-world applications, stretching across an intensive 80-hour program packed with sessions, workshops, and collaborative showcases. The event is framed as more than a tech symposium; it is designed as a global gathering where researchers, investors, practitioners, and curious minds converge to explore how AI can reshape science, business, and society at large. The opening remarks set a tone that the journey is just beginning, inviting participants to engage with cutting-edge ideas, challenge assumptions, and build networks that span continents and industries.
The speaker underscored the journey’s humble beginnings and its meteoric growth. What started with a modest crowd has evolved into a worldwide platform, now attracting a staggering audience that surpassed fifty million in the previous year and is projected to exceed one hundred million in the current cycle. The vision is expansive: a diverse, international audience that includes participants from many countries, all drawn to a three-day structure that foregrounds three interrelated domains. The first day centers on science, the second on business, and the third on society. This organization reflects a belief that AI readiness and impact require not only theoretical research and technical prowess but also practical adoption strategies and thoughtful consideration of social consequences. The organizers intend to illuminate the human side of AI by inviting young talents to participate actively on the inaugural day, ensuring that fresh perspectives contribute to the collective discourse. In this framing, AI Journey emerges as a premier platform that connects a broad spectrum of participants across borders, disciplines, and sectors, reinforcing a global sense of shared purpose and collaborative potential.
Scheduled to run from November 22 to 24, the conference features a robust lineup of speakers and voices. More than 200 speakers from a mix of regions, including Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, along with other countries, are prepared to share insights on the first day. The geographic and professional diversity reflects a deliberate effort to foster cross-pollination between academic research, industry practice, and public policy. Attendees can anticipate a blend of keynote addresses, technical sessions, and interactive panels that collectively illuminate current breakthroughs, emerging trends, and strategic implications of AI adoption. The program is designed to be highly participatory, encouraging dialogue, questions, and collaboration across sectors, so that attendees leave with a clearer sense of how AI can be responsibly integrated into science, commerce, and community initiatives. In this format, the event positions itself as a catalyst for global learning and cooperation, inviting stakeholders from multiple regions to contribute their expertise, experiences, and viewpoints to a shared, forward-looking agenda. The emphasis is on practical outcomes: improved methods, new business models, and social programs that reflect the potential of AI to drive progress while addressing ethical and societal considerations. Throughout the three days, the conference aims to balance technical depth with accessible discourse, so that participants at all levels of expertise gain valuable knowledge, inspiration, and a path forward for collaboration and responsible innovation. The overall message is clear: AI is advancing rapidly, and a coordinated, inclusive, and forward-thinking approach can maximize its benefits while mitigating risks, a theme that resonates across technical communities, commercial enterprises, and civic initiatives alike. The event invites audiences to see AI not merely as a breakthrough technology but as a force that can catalyze learning, opportunity, and impact on a global scale, with the potential to shape future careers, organizational strategies, and public dialogue in meaningful and lasting ways. The invitation to participate is extended to a broad international community, emphasizing the belief that diverse insights will strengthen the outcomes of AI research and its real-world application. The conference positions itself as a hub for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the co-creation of practical frameworks that can guide responsible AI development and deployment in the years ahead. The overarching goal is to foster a shared understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations, while building the networks and competencies needed to translate ideas into tangible improvements in science, industry, and society. Brand partners, academic institutions, and industry leaders are expected to contribute to a rich program that offers both depth and breadth, ensuring the event remains a reference point for AI discourse and action on a global stage.