It was my first time at OEB where I joined my team and spent three crazy days full of tech inspiration and pep talks to smart people. You can’t even imagine what a striking feeling I had introducing new AI/machine learning technology EMMA (authorship definition). So now I would like to say a few words about the conf, what we liked, as well as what could be improved.
Pros
- MyOEB 2016 app: speakers, agenda, inbox, floor plan, connections, activity stream, networking, social media, exhibitors and sponsors info and more – everything is at your fingertips. Navigating the event, sessions, and connecting with people was easy. I, personally, was using built-in mail feature to get in touch with people.
- Free coffee, tea and Wi-Fi – although the speed and connection wasn’t superb. However, it’s great to have this option in case you’re an exhibitor and definitely if you were a visitor. Not a fan of instant coffee, but, hey, it’s free and the service was great: +1 to karma.
- OEB reps assistance – first when we arrived in Berlin, we rushed to check our stand (A13) whether everything was ready for the next day. The hardest thing was to connect our laptops to the screen. We’ve asked OEB reps to help and the help immediately arrived. And, eventually, 4 people were assisting us. Luckily, we had a flash drive with video presentation. We appreciated the assistance though.
- Amazing sessions, discussions, networking and meeting opportunities as well as evening networking event – every corner was unique and you could find the right people, talks and sessions that were relevant personally to you.
Cons
- Some stands received very unequal visitors flow.
- Little choice of where to eat and no take away food.
The spirit of exploration was in the air through entire expo, and we’ve met a lot amazing, intelligent and interesting people. One thing I can tell certainly – AI, machine learning and data mining is becoming increasing widespread. For example, we met Harri Ketamo a founder of a Finland company which employs machine learning in gamification of the learning processes, and also Israel Conejero Arto, a Project Manager of tesla-project.eu – which employs biometrics, machine learning, voice recognition technologies etc. to create an “adaptive trust-based e-assessment system for learning” – the project is supported by European Commission. AI is coming, whether we want it or not.
And… Berlin – amazing city with impressive architecture, vast historical heritage and fabulous Christmas markets. Every evening we went to Weihnachtsmarkt an der Gedächtniskirche where we enjoyed a few glasses of Glühwein and tasted local goodies (now I know how to cook a proper hot dog – no cucumbers or other veggies in it, my friends).
Without a doubt, that was 3 days non-stop work-fun-work-fun experience, and OEB remains high on our priority list for expos.
The post written by Ivan Klymenko, Integration Manager at Unicheck.com
