TechSense Summit took place on Monday, October 7th, 2024, at PwC Luxembourg Crystal Park Building. The event brought together experts and thought leaders to explore the balance between technological innovation and environmental sustainability. This “Digital Equilibrium Games“ edition provided a unique platform for industry professionals to discuss how cutting-edge technologies are shaping the future of business while fostering a greener, more sustainable planet.

Key highlights from the VIP Session

Businesses continue to navigate the challenges of digital transformation. Events like the TechSense Summit strive to guide them toward responsible strategies that balance growth with environmental management. The conversations at this summit aimed to influence the future of digital innovation and sustainability, offering key insights into harnessing innovation while maintaining a critical focus on environmental responsibility.

The day began with a relaxed VIP lunch, followed by three workshops. Nathalie Zeghmouli, Cloud Infrastructure Client Partner at NTT DATA, led the first session on the role of cybersecurity in strengthening regulatory frameworks. Olivier Roulent, Principal IBM Sustainability Software Sales at IBM Technology Belgium and Luxembourg followed with a discussion on ESG reporting, focusing on GHG emissions calculation, disclosure, and performance management. Finally, Bouchra Kidah, Managing Partner and Laurent Beaurepaire, Founding Partner at UFO² Consulting explored the complexities of sustainability in their session titled "Green or not so green".

Plenary conference

Keynotes to redefine sustainable innovation

The plenary conference kicked off with an energetic welcome from Laurent Couturier, Chief Information Officer of Armacell and THECIO24, who served as the Master of Ceremony. He set a positive and forward-looking tone, emphasizing the role of technology in enabling sustainable business practices and decarbonization efforts. This theme was echoed throughout the day as industry experts highlighted innovative ways to incorporate sustainability into digital strategies.

The Master of ceremony brought on stage the first speaker: Julien Jacqué, Director, Sustainability & Climate Solutions Transformations at PwC Luxembourg. He outlined the critical pathways organizations must navigate to achieve their sustainability goals by 2030 and beyond, emphasizing five trending priorities for CIOs: integrate ESG into IT strategies, enable robust reporting and analytics, focus on material topics through automation, understand IT GHG footprint, and establish a continuous monitoring process for regulatory compliance.

Prof. Dr. Xavier Pavie, Philosopher, Professor at ESSEC Business School, Director of iMagination Center, and Program Director at International College of Philosophy, delivered a captivating keynote on the philosophical dimensions of innovation and its intersection with responsibility. He explored the ethical implications of innovation, challenging the audience to reconsider what innovation truly means and emphasizing that it involves internal change in response to external phenomena. Highlighting the necessity of responsible innovation, he posed the crucial question: “Are we aware of the consequences of our actions when we innovate?”. His thought-provoking insights prompted a deep reflection on the role of businesses in driving sustainable change through the power of innovation.

Discussions on leadership and innovative solutions for sustainable transformation

Prof. Dr. Xavier Pavie was joined on stage by Georges Bock, Founder & CEO of Moniflo and Laurence Graff, Directrice of INDR for a dynamic discussion, moderated by Laurent Couturier, CIO of Armacell and THECIO24. The conversation focused on the importance of leadership in fostering transparency and accountability in CSR practices. The speakers highlighted the need for managers to recognize their responsibilities as both leaders and citizens, while also encouraging critical thinking among future leaders to drive genuine sustainability efforts. As Georges Bock noted, “Young talents are increasingly attracted to missions that resonate with their values, motivating them to contribute to change within organizations”.

Although Jorne De Roeck, Senior Cloud Solutions Architect from NTT DATA was unable to attend, Marta Duponselle, Marketing Director of the company, introduced a video showcasing AVATAR. This innovative project uses smart skin sensors and digital twin technology to enhance aircraft safety, reduce emissions, and extend lifecycles.

Then, Santosh Pandey, CIO of ArcelorMittal Europe Long Products and Frederic Chapelle, Partner at PwC Luxembourg engaged in a fireside chat. They discussed how digital transformation and sustainability strategies are reshaping the manufacturing sector.

A final presentation led by Philipp Jäggi, Head of Business Line Cloud at DEEP focused on the role of cloud pipelines in achieving digital sovereignty while aligning technological needs with environmental goals. He shared client case studies illustrating DEEP delivery of cloud pipelines as a service, emphasizing: “Our ambition is to streamline your path to digital sovereignty while enabling organizations to effectively collect and manage their data”.

With a focus on practical solutions, responsible leadership and innovative tools, the speakers demonstrated the capability to create a future where technology and sustainability coexist in harmony.