Focus on Women in Tech as Web Summit Kicks Off in Rio, with AI in the Spotlight

The Web Summit, known as the “Davos for Geeks,” kicked off in Rio de Janeiro with a focus on the future of artificial intelligence, technology to combat climate change, and other cutting-edge innovations. The conference, now in its second edition in the Brazilian beach city, attracted over 600 tech experts, public figures, and entrepreneurs from more than 1,000 startups.

A notable highlight of this year’s event was the record number of women-led startups, making up 45% of the represented companies. Female tech entrepreneurs from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and Uruguay, took the stage to showcase their innovations and expertise.

According to conference director Artur Pereira, discussions at the event revolved around technology’s role in addressing global issues such as AI, fintech, climate change, and human rights. The gathering served as a platform to connect Latin America’s tech leaders with global players in the industry.

Web Summit, which originated in Dublin 15 years ago and later moved to Lisbon, plans to continue its Rio edition at least through 2028. The event serves as an opportunity for startups to engage with tech giants like IBM, BYD, Salesforce, Huawei, and JP Morgan.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes expressed his vision of transforming the city into the innovation capital of Latin America through events like Web Summit. The conference is expected to draw 40,000 attendees daily and inject millions of reais into the local economy, showcasing the potential of tech and innovation as key drivers of Rio’s growth.