We are at the midway point of the year, and everything from cryptocurrencies to artificial intelligence are the talking points at the biggest tech conferences in 2024.
Last year, the metaverse and mixed reality were themes conspicuous by their absence, while leadership teams delivered keynotes desperately declaring that they had been working on artificial intelligence (AI) for many years and that they were the go-to organization to guide businesses on this exciting journey.
While the metaverse fades away (for now) and AI matures as an industry, we look at what is on the agenda for 2024.
Key Takeaways
- The “AI Everywhere” theme will dominate conversations and keynotes at every tech conference.
- The increasing importance of cybersecurity innovation and strategies continues to be discussed on show floors and at networking events.
- The conflict between the need for greater sustainability and green tech while embracing resource-hungry AI.
- Ethical AI and AI regulations will continue to dominate conversations.
Top Tech Conferences to Attend in 2024
After Dynatrace announced the release of AI Observability covering the entire LLM stack at its Perform event in Vegas in January, it’s a predictable hint that “AI Everywhere” is a theme that will continue to dominate tech and IT conferences this year. But not all of the best tech conferences are under the bright lights of Sin City.
Join us at the bottom of the article for a recap of the tech conferences that have been and gone.
1. London Tech Week
From June 10 to June 14, innovators, investors, serial entrepreneurs, and multinational organizations from 90 countries will arrive for London Tech Week in the UK.
Attendees can expect immersive experiences with tech exhibitions, startup conferences, and innovation hubs and engage with the latest AI transformations in business or meet with potential investors.
Unique features like the EQL: HER Lounge refreshingly promote diversity and equity in tech, while the event also emphasizes the importance of sustainability in the industry.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Date: June 10-14
2. The Next Web (TNW) Conference
On June 20 and 21, Amsterdam will become home to 10,000-plus tech enthusiasts uncovering ‘the next big ideas in tech’.
The Next Web Conference also has over 3,540 startup attendees and 300-plus investors and government officials participating.
The line-up includes the CEO of Booking.com, Glenn Fogel, the CFO of OnlyFans, Lee Taylor, the Chief of Global Brand and Communications of Tony’s Chocolonely, Sadira Furlow, and Formula E Porsche Race Driver Antonio Felix da Costa.
- Location: Amsterdam
- Date: June 20-21
3. Black Hat
Hackers, cybersecurity analysts, corporate professionals, and government representatives will head out again for the Black Hat USA 2024 tech conference from August 3-8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
This IT and software conference offers a rich blend of technical sessions, security consulting, and training opportunities.
The Black Hat tech conference provides a unique environment where attendees can learn the latest information on cybersecurity and the latest antivirus software trends, while also networking in a way that bridges the gap between the most technical and non-technical cybersecurity enthusiasts.
While in town, many attendees extended their stay to head straight to the Def Con 32 conference.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Date: August 3-8
4. Rewriting the Code
While many tech and career conferences cost upwards of $1,000, Rewriting the Code’s Fifth Annual Virtual Career Summit on August 14 is … free.
Rewriting the Code (RTC) is the largest peer-to-peer nonprofit network of women in tech, with 25,000+ members globally. 98% of 2023 attendees said they wouldn’t miss it.
Last year’s summit included sessions like “Life at Capital One,” “Tech for Social Good” with GSK and GoDaddy, “Find Your Fit in Tech” with Salesforce and Robinhood, with other partners participating like Liberty Mutual, Accenture, and Bank of America.
The Virtual Career Summit champions young women and provides them with the tools, resources, and knowledge necessary to succeed in their careers, with interactive sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities that will give attendees insights and tips to help them navigate the hiring process, build their personal brand, and find fulfilling roles in the tech industry.
Signing up for RTC and then the conference is incredibly easy and can be done here.
- Location: Everywhere
- Date: August 14
5. IFA
IFA Berlin is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. Europe’s biggest consumer technology trade show, often described as Europe’s version of CES, will occur from 6-10 September 2024.
This centennial event marks a century of technological evolution, from Albert Einstein’s 1930 appearance to the launch of the gadgets and gizmos we love today.
160,000 people are expected to attend IFA over the five days of the show, and more than 2,500 journalists will get hands-on with AI-enhanced gadgets on display by 2,000 exhibitors. The event is over 160,000 square meters (1,700,000 sq ft), so bring a pair of comfortable shoes.
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Date: September 6-10
6. IT Arena
IT Arena is a tech conference that annually brings together more than 5,000 entrepreneurs, innovators, and thinkers in Lviv, Ukraine, for three days of discussions, business networking, and inspiration.
Having emerged over ten years ago, IT Arena sets the pace for the technology industry in Ukraine, uniting global tech enthusiasts in Lviv, and despite the challenges of war, IT Arena continues to bring together a tech-savvy crowd for three days of networking, inspiration, and business opportunities.
IT Arena 2024 will make a comeback in the historic center of Lviv, featuring insightful tech talks, enhanced networking opportunities for the tech community, and afterparties known for their festival spirit and friendly feel. The 2024 event is expanding, focusing on new possibilities for startups and local companies, making it bigger and better than ever.
- Location: Lviv, Ukraine
- Date: September 27-29
7. AI & Big Data Expo
The AI & Big Data Conference, scheduled for October 1-2, 2024, is a leading conference and exhibition that showcases the next generation of enterprise technologies and strategies.
The Expo provides an opportunity to explore and discover the practical and successful implementation of AI and big data that can also help drive your business forward.
This free-to-attend conference is co-hosted alongside the IoT Tech Expo, the largest global gathering for the sector.
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Date: October 1-2
8. TECHSPO
If you are in South Africa, make sure to attend the TECHSPO Johannesburg 2024 event from October 10-11 at the prestigious Hilton Sandton Hotel. This two-day Expo showcases the latest in Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech, and SaaS technologies.
It also provides a unique opportunity for attendees in the area to network with like-minded tech enthusiasts and gain insights into how these advancements can drive business growth. This convergence of developers, marketers, and innovators, all focused on shaping the future of technology, makes this a must-attend tech event.
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Date: October 10-11
9. TechCrunch Disrupt
Disrupt is the original startup conference that invites founders and investors to explore the future of tech.
This year, the tech conference takes place from Oct 28 to 30. It’s the perfect tech event for startup founders seeking financial backing, a public relations boost, or expert guidance to ensure your venture’s success.
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Date: October 28-30
10. Web Summit
Web Summit has a reputation for being one of the world’s biggest tech conferences and best tech events. It takes place from November 11 to 14, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal. This event is a nexus for the global technology community, drawing together tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders, and even high-profile celebrities.
Attendees can look forward to a feature-packed program featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, startup showcases, and workshops, all focused on cutting-edge topics such as AI, cybersecurity, and fintech.
It’s an ideal platform for networking, learning, and discovering the latest technological innovations and trends. But there are also many after-show parties, so don’t expect to get too much sleep.
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Date: November 11-14
11. AWS re: Invent
AWS re: Invent 2024 arrives in Vegas from December 2 to 6 and is a must-attend event for anyone immersed in cloud computing. Hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS), it’s a pivotal gathering for a global audience ranging from cloud novices to industry experts.
The event is a treasure trove of opportunities, featuring over 2,000 technical sessions, keynote announcements, and extensive training and certification opportunities.
Whether you want to transform your business through cloud technology or stay updated with AWS’s latest innovations and enhance your cloud-computing skills, there is something for everyone.
But it’s not just about learning; it’s also a hub for networking. You will find various after-hours events that will help you secure face time with like-minded attendees and forge valuable connections.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Date: December 2-6
12. OpenAI DevDay
OpenAI DevDay is expected to announce dates for its second annual developer conference for 2024. This event serves as a platform for developers and enthusiasts to gain insights into cutting-edge developments.
Although we are still awaiting more details on what to expect, Reddit communities are already making predictions on what to expect for OpenAI DevDay 2024 and potential announcements around GPT-5.
Last year’s event was in November if that gives us a clue.
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Date: Dates TBA
Past Tech Conferences of 2024
1. Finovate Europe
Finovate Europe was held on February 27 and 28, where speakers held discussions on whether the impact of AI will surpass the significance of the invention of the Internet.
Attendees also learned what financial institutions should know about aspects ranging from AI to transitions from a Crypto Ice Age to a Crypto Winter, eventually leading to a Crypto Spring.
Leaders and audience members also learned about the risks and opportunities associated with AI and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) building an internet financial system and global regulatory perspectives on cryptocurrencies.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Date: February 27-28
2. MWC: Mobile World Congress
The MWC is a much-loved tech conference in the telecommunications industry. From February 26-29, the event highlighted the need for adaptable, secure, and sustainable network solutions to connect the rise in mobile and IoT devices.
Although emerging technologies such as generative AI, mixed reality, and quantum computing have a place at MWC, there is much more to this big tech conference than shiny new tech.
Attendees also enjoyed thought-provoking conversations around sustainability, diversity, and talent acquisition in the tech industry.
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Date: February 26-29
3. Big Data & AI World
Big Data & AI World arrived in London on March 6-7. It remains the perfect networking event for anyone wanting to learn more about the transformative potential of big data and AI across various industries.
Attendees engaged with leading experts to explore the fusion of big data and AI. Rather than walking away with a conference hangover, this event always offers much-needed inspiration to guide your business into a new era of intelligence and innovation.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Date: March 6-7
4. Adobe Summit
The Adobe Summit 2024 happened in Vegas on March 26–28.
Adobe Summit is one of the biggest tech conferences and attracts a diverse crowd, including influencers, technology service providers, competitors, design, marketing, commerce, and operations professionals.
With high-profile speakers, including Hollywood stars and the legendary Shaquille O’Neal appearing, it was another massive hit with creatives.
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Date: March 26–28
5. ODSC East
The ODSC (Open Data Science Conference) was held from April 23-25 and covered everything from data science to machine learning and AI.
Ultimately, it was a tech event that brought together the global data science community to exchange innovative ideas.
ODBC also promotes the growth of open-source software and focuses on data and AI practitioners of all levels interested in building on their success in this rapidly evolving field.
- Location: Boston, USA
- Date: April 23-25
6. RSA Conference
From May 6-9, the RSA Conference invited the world to discuss security. This prestigious annual event in cybersecurity has been influencing the global cybersecurity community for over 32 years.
RSA addressed cybersecurity’s dynamic challenges while providing timely insights and actionable intelligence, supported by a passionate community of experts who focused on strengthening organizations’ cyber hygiene and advancing careers in cybersecurity.
The theme of RSA 2024 was ‘The Art of Possible’, with lots of discussions around the importance of innovation and creativity to navigate the increasing threats in cybersecurity.
- Location: San Francisco, USA
- Date: May 6-9
7. Viva Technology
If you found yourself near Paris from May 22-25, we hope you checked out Viva Technology, dubbed Europe’s biggest startup and technology conference.
Past event speakers included impressive tech heavyweights like Elon Musk and Marc Benioff. Make no mistake, this is one of the most unique IT conferences where tech giants and startups rub shoulders.
- Location: Paris, France
- Date: May 22-25
8. Dublin Tech Summit
Under the radar of many, Dublin has become the home to the EMEA headquarters for big tech companies such as HubSpot and Indeed. To further highlight the success in the region, the Dublin Tech Summit has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech events.
With a bustling tech startup scene, the Dublin Tech Summit was held from from May 29 to 30 and reinforced the capital’s position as a European tech hub.
This tech conference covered everything from AI, robotics, drone deliveries, privacy, space travel, and the potential for human immortality.
- Location: Dublin, Ireland
- Date: May 29-30
9. Infosecurity Europe
Infosecurity Europe is a crucial technology conference for cybersecurity professionals. Being the gathering of its kind in Europe, it brings together the information security community to share innovations, foster connections, and stay ahead in cybersecurity.
For industry professionals seeking to minimize vulnerability to cyber threats and drive business opportunities, Infosecurity Europe is an opportunity that should not be missed.
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Date: June 4-6
The Bottom Line
The landscape of the top tech conferences in 2024 has a clear focus on “AI Everywhere,” which dominates conversations and keynotes at major events.
The pervasive discussions around cybersecurity, sustainability, and ethical considerations in AI and its regulations indicate a matured and nuanced understanding of the technology’s implications.
You can save the dates and attend some of the most notorious tech events relevant to your business or personal interests to get into the epicenter of insightful conversations, fostering collaboration and shaping the future of tech.
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References
- Extraordinary growth starts at Summit (Adobe business)
- ODSC East (ODSC)
- Don’t Miss Out! Register for RSAC 2024—The Art of Possible (RSA conference)
- Join Europe’s Biggest Startup and Tech Event (VIVA technology)
- Dublin Tech Summit (Dublin Tech Summit)
- Rethink the power of infosecurity (Info Security Europe)
- Upcoming Events (blackhat)
- Welcome! (The Next Web)
- DEF CON Hacking Conference (defcon)
- Be part of something extraordinary (IFA-berlin)
- AI & BIG DATA EXPO (ai-expo)
- IOT Tech Expo (iottechexpo)
- Where Business, Tech and Innovation Collide in Johannesburg! (techspojoburg)
- “Where the future goes to be born” – The Atlantic (WEB summit)
- AWS re:Invent is a learning conference hosted by AWS for the global cloud-computing community. (re: invent)
- OpenAI’s first developer conference (open ai devday)