EVENTS

Advanced Computing Portugal 2030 took place on October 23 at the Azurém campus of the University of Minho, in Guimarães, for the presentation of Deucalion, the supercomputer that complements the national strategy for advanced computing, and which joins BOB, the supercomputer installed in 2019, at the Minho Advanced Computing Center (MACC).

Under the motto “Progress achieved and new challenges”, the session also highlighted the progress achieved in advanced computing and also the needs of the Portuguese scientific and technological community among current and potential future users of the Minho Advanced Computing Center (MACC).

1st session “Portugal Digital Mais Inclusivo”

The National Digital Skills Initiative “Portugal INCoDe.2030”, together with the European project MEDICI - Mapping Digital Inclusion, which brings together good practices in digital inclusion in the 27 Member States of the European Union and the United Kingdom, developed in partnership with the Universidade Católica Portuguesa’s  CEPCEP, promoted on December 15, 2020, the first of a cycle of online sessions, INCoDe_Talks, which aim to analyze the various challenges of inclusion and digital literacy for the exercise of citizenship in Portugal.

Under the motto “Portugal Digital Mais Inclusivo”, it included in the goals of Axis 1 – Inclusion, of INCoDe-2030, several themes were brought up for reflection: some indices of Portugal’s digital positioning in the European context, the role of the pandemic in accelerating the use of technology and acceleration of digitization in all sectors. Also, the importance of stimulating specialization in digital technologies and applications for the qualification of employment and the production of new knowledge in international cooperation and also in the fight against digital inequality.

1st session – “Artificial Intelligence in the Retail Sector”

In the first session of “FórumIA – Inteligência Artificial em Portugal”, held on February 11, the aim was to analyze the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in food retail, a sector that represents 11% of Portugal’s GDP, to know the results achieved and understand the challenges of applying this technology by large and small companies in the sector.

“Who are the customers? Where should the next stores be opened? How to obtain automatic information about stock preview and replenishment? How can we access the latest research developments?” These and many other questions are now answered in a business context through artificial intelligence solutions that help companies position themselves and be more competitive and efficient.

This debate was led by the Coordinator of AI Portugal 2030, Alípio Jorge, and had the participation and promotion of SONAE MC, LTP, Jerónimo Martins, the academic vision of a researcher from Fraunhofer&FEUP, AssociAção Portuguesa de Empresas de Distribuição (APED), ASAE and the National Innovation Agency.

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“Portugal Digital mais Igual – Iniciativas onde as mulheres (já) tem um lugar ativo” is the topic that will be debated on International Women’s Day, in a session held by INCoDe.2030, and where it is intended to address, above all, gender equality, namely on digital inclusion and the presence of women in science and technology.

What is the role of women and what can truly motivate them in the Technology sector? How can we reduce gender differences? What are the main challenges women face in this area? How can we attract (even) more women to the digital world?

Reflection on these themes, as well as the presentation of initiatives and projects where women (already) have an active place, will be led by Luísa Ribeiro Lopes, Coordinator of the Inclusion Axis of INCoDe.2030 and President of .PT, and will feature with the participation of MUDA -, CIP Movimento pela Utilização Digital Ativa, - Confederação Empresarial de Portugal, ENSICO - Associação para o Ensino da Computação, of CDI Portugal, and APDC - Associação Portuguesa para o Desenvolvimento das Comunicações.

If, on the one hand, digital technology generates innovation and breaks barriers, on the other hand, it has demonstrated that there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality. It is a predominantly male area, deep in leadership. With this debate, it is intended to reinforce an objective that is transversal to the entire Portuguese society and of lasting effect: a more active citizenship and a more qualified, empowered and egalitarian country, using the accelerated digital transformation to create transversal value.

“Women Create Value” was the theme of the event that distinguished itself on the International Women's Day, held by INCoDe.2030, by the Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality, Rosa Monteiro, and by the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality, integrating the activities of the “Engineers for a Day” Program.

The event had, in the opening session, the participation of the Minister of State and the Presidency, Mariana Vieira da Silva, and the General Coordinator of INCoDe.2030, Luísa Ribeiro Lopes, and in the closing session the Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality, Rosa Monteiro.

At this event we heard the testimony of women scientists and researchers, but we also discussed how employers are promoting women's participation in the technology sector and reconciling professional, personal and family life.