Program - Spring ITAPA 2026
08:00
DIGI DAY
The main theme will be the transition from e-Government to “Personal Government,” in which the state operates invisibly and proactively through artificial intelligence.
The program will be moderated by
The program will be moderated by
08:00
Registration
08:45
úvod
8:45 - 9:00 Opening of the Conference (hall London I+II)
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
08:45
Michal Ivantyšyn, ITAPA
Welcoming guests
09:00
second day - agentic AI
9:00 - 9:20 Agentic AI – What Will it Deliver? (hall London I+II)
With more than 15 years at the forefront of European AI research at INRIA, he co-founded DeepMind’s Paris office and contributed to the development of Llama 3 at Meta. His work focuses on a new generation of AI systems capable of learning and making decisions with minimal human intervention. Today, Michal Valko is pursuing a new mission through his own startup. Discover the vision of an expert who has mastered large language models and is now shaping the next wave of AI innovation through his own technological solutions.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
09:00
Michal Valko, Stealth AI
From Chatbots to Agents: How AI Is Changing Decision-Making, Work, and Control (15 min)
08:45
deň 2 - sekcia 1
9:20 - 9:35 A Safe Digital World: Children, Platforms, and Artificial Intelligence (hall London I+II)
Social media and artificial intelligence are changing the rules of the game. This session will explore whether the state is still capable of protecting children, data, and citizens - or whether it is merely trying to keep up with the power of digital platforms.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
09:20
Martin Katriak, Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
1on1 interview (15 min)
09:50
deň 2 - sekcia 1.4
9:35 - 9:50 Vienna and AI: How Technology Is Shaping Urban Development (hall London I+II)
AI projects are meaningful when they help cities solve real-world problems. This presentation will show how Vienna successfully uses artificial intelligence in planning, services, and decision-making - and how it integrates AI into the city’s long-term development policy.
Moderator: Juraj Kadáš
Moderator: Juraj Kadáš
09:35
Michael Leitner-Hickisch, Urban Innovation Vienna
Cities Shaping a Human-Centred AI Future: Use Cases from Vienna (15 min)
09:50
Smart cities
9:50 - 10:05 Smart Cities Without Illusions: What Works, What Fails, and What Not to Copy (hall London I+II)
After years of pilot projects, strategies, and technological promises, the time has come to identify what actually delivers results for cities. This practical perspective will show why a smart city is not a catalog of solutions, but rather a city’s ability to select, adapt, and sustain innovations in practice.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
09:50
Jaroslav Kacer, Smart Cities Club
1on1 interview (10 min)
9:40 - 10:25 How to Manage Digital Projects That Actually Work? (hall London III)
Digital projects should not end as presentations - they should deliver real-world services that save people time and generate tangible results for government. What determines the success of large-scale IT projects?
Moderator: Milan Ištván
09:40
Kristián Hodossy, Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
Marek Lendacký, Social Insurance Company
Erik Minarovič, Ministry of Finance of Slovak Republic
DISCUSSION "How to Manage Digital Projects That Actually Work?" (40 min)
Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
Marek Lendacký, Social Insurance Company
Erik Minarovič, Ministry of Finance of Slovak Republic
9:40 - 10:00 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
From gears to Q-bits. The evolution of computing technology, from analog machines to quantum computing and AI.
Come to an informal meeting with the exhibitor, where you can get answers to your questions.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
Come to an informal meeting with the exhibitor, where you can get answers to your questions.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
09:40
Martin Šperka, Computer Museum at the Computing Center of Slovak Academy of Sciences
Meet the Exhibitor (10 min + question)
11:45
druhý deň - red hat panel
10:05 - 10:30 AI Without Oversight? (hall London I+II)
What do a 5K race, the Chipotle chatbot, and Slovakia’s National AI Strategy have in common? More than you might think!
Find out in Red Hat’s interactive presentation, where we’ll showcase one of the fundamental security techniques for AI solutions: guardrails. Will we be able to hack the Slovak Red Hat chatbot using prompts in Hungarian? Come and see for yourself!
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
10:05
Anton Giertli, RED HAT
Demo: How to manage autonomous agents without losing data (20 min)
10:10 - 10:30 Meet the Exhibitor (20 min)
During this informal meeting, you will learn about the latest developments in the field of quantum technologies. The session will also explore their practical applications and the prospects for their deployment in both the public and private sectors.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
10:10
Ivan Doboš, Aricoma
Marek Kuruc, ARICOMA
Quantum Computers: Myths, Reality, and the Future
Marek Kuruc, ARICOMA
10:30
sekcia druhy den
10:30 - 10:50 A State That Supports People Throughout Life – Education, Employment, and Help When It Matters Most (hall London I+II)
A modern state is measured by its ability to guide citizens through important life situations. It is not enough to simply digitize forms; we must change the way the state supports people through life’s defining moments. Choosing a school, entering the job market, losing a job, or receiving social assistance highlights where the system currently runs into departmental barriers and complex processes. The discussion between the ministers of education and labor will focus on how to simplify these situations through data, digital services, and better government coordination.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
10:30
Slavomír Partila, The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the SR
Marián Valentovič, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR
DISCUSSION "A State That Supports People Throughout Life – Education, Employment, and Help When It Matters Most" (20 min)
Marián Valentovič, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the SR
10:30 – 11:30 MASTERCLASS: How to Prepare a Business Plan That a Bank Will Believe In? (hall London III)
Many ICT companies are innovating rapidly, yet they often face challenges in securing adequate financing. Masterclass combines a macroeconomic perspective on the ICT sector - reflecting how banks assess trends and developments in the industry - with insights into capital markets financing, including mini-bonds. Participants will gain an understanding of why a clear strategy and a well-developed business plan are essential, as well as how banks advise companies on managing market risk, liquidity, and cash flow.
Moderator: Milan Ištván
10:30
Michal Lehuta, VÚB bank
Lukáš Žitný, VÚB bank
Lectors
Lukáš Žitný, VÚB bank
10:40 - 11:00 Meet the Speaker/ 11:05 - 11:20 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
Meet industry experts in small groups and an informal setting. “Meet the Speaker” is a new format that lets you get even closer to the conference speakers. Get answers to your questions and discuss topics that interest you.
Come to an informal meeting with the exhibitor, where you can get answers to your questions.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
10:40
Michael Leitner-Hickisch, Urban Innovation Vienna
Meet the Speaker (20 min)
11:05
Tobias Santa, Dual Academy
Meet the Exhibitor: Dual Academy (15 min)
11:10
sekcia 11:10
10:50 - 11:10 AI Solutions for Government (hall London I+II)
How can Slovakia skip the “next portal” phase and become a benchmark for AI-native public administration in Europe? This presentation introduces the Smart eGov concept, in which citizens’ life situations are no longer managed through forms and bureaucratic red tape, but by AI agents, high-quality registries, auditable decision-making processes, and a clear legal framework. Can Slovakia become not only a user of European AI regulations, but also a creator of a new model of government for the digital age?
Moderator: Juraj Kadáš
Moderator: Juraj Kadáš
10:50
Vojtech Bálint, Asseco CE
Smart eGov: The Slovak Model of Agentic Governance (15 min)
11:10
NETWORKING BREAK
10:15
AI for Slovakia
11:30 - 12:50 Slovakia Has an AI strategy. What Now? (hall London I+II)
For the first time, Slovakia has an AI strategy. Now we will see whether it remains just a document or becomes a concrete action plan.
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
11:30
Radoslav Štefánek, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence
Emil Fitoš, AISlovakIA
Introduction of the AI Strategy (20 min)
Emil Fitoš, AISlovakIA
11:50
Radoslav Baťo Varga, Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Fridrich Matejík, IBM Czech Republic and Slovakia
Radoslav Štefánek, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence
Peter Trajlinek, ARICOMA
Zdeňka van der Zwan, RED HAT
DISCUSSION "Slovakia Has an AI strategy. What Now?" (60 min)
Fridrich Matejík, IBM Czech Republic and Slovakia
Radoslav Štefánek, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence
Peter Trajlinek, ARICOMA
Zdeňka van der Zwan, RED HAT
11:40 – 12:20 AI for the Modern City – How to Put Innovations into Practice (hall London III)
Cities need fewer visions and more testable solutions. AI and living labs only make sense if they address specific problems, measure results, and include a clear plan for scaling from pilot projects to full-scale implementation.
Moderator: Milan Ištván
Moderator: Milan Ištván
11:40
Jaroslav Kacer, Smart Cities Club
A living lab is not just another pilot project (10 min)
11:50
12:00
Martin Molnár, PlanCity.ai
How AI Can Help Cities and Local Governments Better Utilize Spatial, Map, and Public Data (7 min)
12:07
Šimon Staňo, DAITABLE
How to Reduce Energy Costs Using AI (7 min)
11:30 - 11:45 Meet the Exhibitor / 11:50 - 12:05 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
An informal meeting with an exhibitors where you can network, get answers to your questions, and learn more about the solutions and new products on offer.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
11:30
Viktória Ondrejička Jakubovičová, Skyro - AI & IT High School
How to Prepare the Education System for the AI Era and Keep Talent at Home (7 min)
11:50
Patrick Serbin, scena.ai
Meet the Exhibitor: scena.ai (15 min)
00:00
deň 2 - sekcia 1.2
12:50 - 13:30 Innovation Isn't Enough. How Can a Company Finance its Growth? (hall London I+II)
We have the technology, the product, and the track record. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the company is ready for growth. The discussion will explore what determines whether an innovative project secures funding today - how banks, investors, and advisors evaluate it; when a loan, equity investment, or public funding instrument makes sense; and which mistakes companies most often make when preparing a business plan.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
12:50
Filip Lešťan, Nord University Business School, Norway
Innovation (is not) enough. What matters is HOW we do it (7 min)
12:57
Peter Dittrich, Slovak Investment Holding
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, VUB bank
Milan Šustek, Deloitte Tax
DISCUSSION "Innovation Isn't Enough. How Can a Company Finance its Growth?" (30 min)
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, VUB bank
Milan Šustek, Deloitte Tax
12:25 – 13:25 MASTERCLASS: AI in Government Offices and in the City (hall London III)
Real-World examples of how artificial intelligence saves time, conserves resources, and reduces administrative burdens.
How can a municipality, city, university, or government agency use AI without unrealistic expectations or unnecessary theory? This masterclass will present concrete real-world examples - from drafting meeting minutes and official documents, through document analysis and grant application reviews, to simplifying the communication of complex regulations to citizens.
Participants will take away:
- A list of practical AI use cases for public administration
- Practical demonstrations of real-world applications
- A framework for selecting the first safe and effective AI use case
Moderator: Milan Ištván
12:25
Andrej Gono, Citymind
Lector
12:10 - 12:55 Meet the Exhibitors: Where Will Robotics Be in 5 Years? (hall ROME)
The future of robotics lies somewhere between humanoids and highly specialized systems. With the advent of AI, the field is undergoing a transformation that will impact manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and the operation of modern cities. Despite technological progress, however, widespread adoption is still hampered by high costs, legislation, and issues of public trust. In this 1on1 interview will separate persistent myths from reality and identify trends that are currently underestimated. Discover which solutions will become a natural part of our lives in just five years.
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
12:10
Andrej Lúčny, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics
How we control robots and how reliable they are (10 min)
12:20
František Duchoň, National Robotics Center
1on1 interview (12 min)
12:32
Michal Adamík, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and Robots do Art
Robotic painting (10 min)
13:30
LUNCH
09:30
deň 2 - sekcia 4
14:30 - 14:45 What is the Future of Robotics? (hall London I+II)
Recently, we have witnessed rapid advancements in mobile robotics, including humanoid robots. Artificial intelligence trained through rewards and punishments in realistic simulated environments plays a crucial role, as it enables models to acquire the equivalent of many years of practical experience in just a few days of training.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
14:30
Argus, KVANT
Breakthrough Trends in Robotics (10 min)
14:30 - 14:45 Digital ID 2.0: From Pilot to New Life Events (hall London III)
Digital ID is expanding from police checks and postal services into additional life events, with new features being added and further credentials, including offline verification, planned for 2026. The question is no longer whether it works, but how quickly it will become the everyday standard.
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
14:30
Juraj Paulen, Ministry of Interior of Slovak Republic
Digital Identity (10 min)
14:30 - 14:50 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
Moderator: Filip Lepieš
14:30
Anton Giertli, RED HAT
Daniel Mařik, RED HAT
Meet the Exhibitor: Red Hat (20 min)
Daniel Mařik, RED HAT
11:35
sekcia 4.0
14:45 - 15:30 Data That Is Changing Government Decisions (hall London I+II)
Governments have access to vast amounts of data - the key challenge is turning that data into better services and more informed decisions. This panel will explore how data-driven insights can help shape labor market policies, modernize social benefits, and improve the efficiency of public administration through the use of AI agents and intelligent automation.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
14:45
Soňa Karabelli, Sector Councils Alliance
Andrej Klimant, Sector Councils Alliance
Integrated Labor Market Model (10 min)
Andrej Klimant, Sector Councils Alliance
14:55
Miroslav Danček, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic
Marek Morvai, SoftwareOne
Digital Transformation in the Area of State Social Benefits and Services (10 min)
Marek Morvai, SoftwareOne
15:05
Andrej Klimant, Sector Councils Alliance
Jaroslav Reken, Joyful Craftsmen
DISCUSSION "Data That Is Changing Government Decisions" (15 min)
Jaroslav Reken, Joyful Craftsmen
15:20
Jaroslav Reken, Joyful Craftsmen
AI Data Analyst for Public Administration: How to Find Answers in Government Data (7 min)
14:45 - 15:00 From Government Offices to Services: A New Model for Citizen-State Interaction (hall London III)
The Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic will present its plan to transform the functioning of public administration from the citizen’s perspective: reducing duplication, simplifying interactions with government offices, and making better use of service centers, call centers, and digital services. The GCRM and ESO 2 projects are intended to build on the reform of local public administration and shift it from organizational changes to tangible improvements in services - faster processing, better citizen guidance, and more efficient management of processes within the state.
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
14:45
Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
1on1 interview (10 min)
15:00
sekcia
15:00 - 15:15 From Data to the Digital World (hall London III)
Moderator: Ondrej Macko
15:00
Ladislav Dedík, STUDIO 727
From Data to Digital Worlds: Enhancing the Value of 3D Databases with AI and Modular Digital Assets (10 min)
10:00
deň 2 - sekcia 5
15:30 - 16:00 Central Register of Accounts: New Data Infrastructure to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering (hall London I+II)
The fight against corruption, money laundering, and economic crime today also depends on the speed of data processing. The Central Register of Accounts enables authorized authorities to more quickly identify where individuals under investigation hold accounts or safety deposit boxes, thereby reducing the time required for financial investigations and asset seizures. This session will demonstrate how digitization is becoming a practical tool for the state in the fight against serious crime.
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
15:30
Martin Peter, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
Central Register of Accounts (5 min)
15:30
Erik Minarovič, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
Michal Pavlík, Presidium of the Slovak Police Force
Martin Peter, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
Lukáš Šoltés, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
DISCUSSION "Central Register of Accounts: New Data Infrastructure to Combat Corruption and Money Laundering" (30 min)
Michal Pavlík, Presidium of the Slovak Police Force
Martin Peter, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
Lukáš Šoltés, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
15:20 - 15:50 Talent and Quality of Life: Why People Choose to Stay in the City (hall London III)
The panel discussion will focus on the factors influencing a city's ability to attract and retain talent. Beyond job opportunities, quality of life plays a pivotal role—encompassing affordable housing, mobility, cultural infrastructure, education, and the city's openness to an international environment. The discussion will also explore how cities can consciously build an environment where talented individuals want to live and work long-term.
Moderator: Michaela Benedigová, SEESAME
Moderator: Michaela Benedigová, SEESAME
15:20
Renáta Hall, Therapolis
Andrej Salner, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
DISCUSSION "Talent and Quality of Life: Why People Choose to Stay in the City" (30 min)
Andrej Salner, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
16:00
NETWORKING BREAK
11:20
sekcia doplnena
16:20 - 17:10 The Biggest Change in Invoicing Since the Introduction of the Euro - What will e-Invoicing Bring to Businesses and Government? (hall London I+II)
More than half a million entities, over 100 million invoices a year, and the end of the simple PDF invoice -eFaktúra is transforming one of the fundamental flows of the Slovak economy into structured data. Will it lead to fewer errors and faster processing, or simply create a new digital burden for businesses?
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
Moderator: Marta Jančkárová
16:20
Jozef Kiss, Financial Administration of Slovak Republic
Electronic invoicing - the biggest change for businesses since the founding of the Slovak Republic (10 min)
16:30
16:40
Marcel Klimek, Slovak Banking Association
Stanislav Pavlovič, Financial Directorate of the Slovak Republic
Peter Steinhübl, Slovensko.Digital
DISCUSSION "The Biggest Change in Invoicing Since the Introduction of the Euro - What will e-Invoicing Bring to Businesses and Government?" (25 min)
Stanislav Pavlovič, Financial Directorate of the Slovak Republic
Peter Steinhübl, Slovensko.Digital
16:20 - 16:50 Connecting Universities, Business, and the City: How to Build a Talent Ecosystem (hall London III)
The discussion will focus on the collaboration between universities, the business sector, and the city in fostering talent development. Panelists will explore ways to better integrate education, research, and practice, how to prepare graduates for evolving labor market needs, and how to create opportunities for students and young professionals within Bratislava.
16:20
Miroslav Beblavý, CB ESPRI
Iva Kleinová, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg
DISCUSSION "Connecting Universities, Business, and the City: How to Build a Talent Ecosystem" (30 min)
Iva Kleinová, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg
16:30
sekcia - Nantl
16:50 - 17:20 European Campus Hainburg: A New Gateway to Strengthening Austrian-Slovak Cooperation in Cybersecurity (hall London III)
With the new European Campus Hainburg (under development, to be operation from autumn 2028), Austrian higher education and research becomes closer to Slovakia, with Hainburg on the orbit of Bratislava's innovation ecosystem. University of Applied Sciences St Pölten that is developing the Campus Hainburg already offers expertise in IT and cybersecurity that should be further enhanced by new aspirations in Hainburg. Learn more and discuss where new collaborations can be explored.
Moderator. Filip Lepieš
Moderator. Filip Lepieš
16:50
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Presentation (15 min)
17:05
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Simon Tjoa, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
DISCUSSION "European Campus Hainburg: A New Gateway to Strengthening Austrian-Slovak Cooperation in Cybersecurity" (20 min)
Simon Tjoa, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
10:50
deň 2 - sekcia 7
17:10 - 17:40 ITAPA OPEN TALK: Modernizing the Country: What to Fund and What to Stop Funding? (hall London I+II)
Science will determine the country’s direction. The government will decide where the money goes. Slovakia faces a decision worth billions of euros. The new programming period could bring a modern economy, better services, and stronger regions - or more projects with no visible results. The discussion will link the Vision Slovakia 2040 initiative with the preparation of the Slovakia Program and pose a tough question: what should be funded so that Slovakia in 2040 is not just a country of plans, but a country of results?
Moderator: Milan Ištván
17:10
Tomáš Drucker, Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Ladislav Šimko, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for the National and Regional Partnership Plan
Martin Venhart, Chairman of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
ITAPA OPEN TALK: "Modernizing the Country: What to Fund and What to Stop Funding?" (30 min)
Ladislav Šimko, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for the National and Regional Partnership Plan
Martin Venhart, Chairman of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
15:10
sekcia ukončenie
17:50
Glass of wine
08:00
Partner of Day
PARTNER OF THE DAY
PARTNER OF THE DAY IS COMPANY SoftwareOne
08:00
EXPO ZONE
EXPO ZONE (hall ROME)
Throughout the entire Spring ITAPA 2026 event, we invite you to visit the EXPO zone, where you can explore interactive exhibits.
See the list of exhibitors
See the list of exhibitors
20:00
SLIDO
