The Department of the Taoiseach, in conjunction with the Government Data Forum, hosted the Data Summit 2018 in Croke Park on Wednesday 19th September.

Following on from the previous year’s event, the Data Summit 2018 was intended to showcase the Irish Government’s determination to stay at the forefront of data and digital related developments and initiate a dialogue on their ever-expanding role in modern society.

The Summit addressed comprehensively several important themes including keynote panels on regulating online developments whilst sustaining innovation; exploring the implications of artificial intelligence for society; and on how the GDPR may influence countries outside of the EU.

Conference Organisers was invited to bid to plan and manage the second conference; the Department of the Taoiseach had planned the first conference. Following a rigorous eTenders tendering process, Conference Organisers was awarded the contract and, along with Department officials, commenced the detailed planning process.

SNAPSHOT

KEY OUTCOMES

• Increased public profile for the Department and for the Government Data Forum

  • 27 Journalists from 17 different countries

• Two senior Government Ministers and the Taoiseach attending

• Delegates from Europe and the USA

• Comprehensive programme over two days including:

  • Two ministerial speeches

  • Three keynotes

  • Three open panel discussions

  • Six breakout sessions including 19 separate presentations/discussions

• Full live streaming of plenary sessions

• Use of Slido as interactive platform for delegate involvement, questioning and feedback