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
Partner of Day
PARTNER OF THE DAY
PARTNER OF THE DAY IS COMPANY SoftwareOne
08:00
Registration
08:45
úvod
8:45 - 9:00 Opening of the Conference (hall London I+II)
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.
09:00
Michal Valko, Stealth AI
From Chatbots to Agents: How AI Is Changing Decision-Making, Work, and Control
08:45
deň 2 - sekcia 1
9:20 - 9:35 Modern Regions: Bringing Investment, Services, and Innovation Closer to the People (hall London I+II)
A modern region is not created on paper; it is born when EU funds are transformed into better schools, safer roads, higher-quality public spaces, and digital services that reduce bureaucracy for towns and municipalities. The opening session will demonstrate how regional development must shift from slow processes to visible results—and why the keys to success will be stronger local governments, smart solutions, and investments that remain rooted in the community.
09:20
Samuel Migaľ, Minister of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic
1-on-1 conversation
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.
09:35
Michael Leitner-Hickisch, Urban Innovation Vienna
Cities Shaping a Human-Centred AI Future: Use Cases from Vienna
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.
09:50
Jaroslav Kacer, Smart Cities Club
1on1 interview
9:50 - 10:10 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
From gears to Q-bits. The evolution of computing technology, from analog machines to quantum computing and AI.
09:50
Martin Śperka, Computer Museum of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
Meet the Exhibitor
11:45
druhý deň - red hat panel
10:05 - 10:30 AI Without Oversight? (hall London I+II)
How to manage autonomous agents without losing data.
10:05
Anton Giertli, RED HAT
Demo (20 min)
10:20 - 10:40 Meet the Exhibitor
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.
10:20
Ivan Doboš, Aricoma
Quantum Computers: Myths, Reality, and the Future
10:30
sekcia druhy den
10:30 - 10:55 Slovakia’s Path to AI Leadership: An AI Strategy for Slovakia (hall London I+II)
AI will determine which countries grow and which fall behind. For the first time, Slovakia has a strategy to join the ranks of AI leaders — countries that not only use artificial intelligence, but also transform government, the economy, and public services through it.
10:30
Radoslav Štefánek, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence
Introduction of the AI Strategy
10:30 – 11:30 MASTERCLASS: How to Prepare a Business Plan That a Bank Will Believe In? (hall London III)
Financing the Future of ICT Companies: Macroeconomic Perspectives and Innovative Capital Solutions.
Many innovative companies have a strong product but struggle to turn it into a bankable project. This masterclass will demonstrate how banks evaluate growth plans, what a compelling business plan must include, and where companies most commonly fall short when applying for financing. The session will also include a practical “Business Plan Clinic,” during which selected projects will receive direct feedback on what is convincing, what is missing, and what needs further refinement.
Participants will take away:
- The structure of a fundable business plan,
- The bank’s perspective on risk assessment,
- Specific recommendations to increase the likelihood of securing financing.
10:30
Hana Husenicová, VÚB bank
Michal Lehuta, VÚB bank
Lectors
Michal Lehuta, VÚB bank
10:50 - 11:10 Meet the Speaker (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.
10:50
Michael Leitner-Hickisch, Urban Innovation Vienna
Meet the Speaker
11:10
sekcia 11:10
10:55 - 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?
10:55
Vojtech Bálint, Asseco CE
Smart eGov: The Slovak Model of Agentic Governance
11:10
NETWORKING BREAK
10:15
AI for Slovakia
11:30 - 12:30 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.
11:30
Radoslav Baťo, Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Patrik Krauspe, Ministry of Interior 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?"
Patrik Krauspe, Ministry of Interior 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
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.
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 / 11:55 - 12:10 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
11:30
11:55
11:55
Viktória Ondrejička Jakubovičová, Skyro - AI & IT High School
How to Prepare the Education System for the AI Era and Keep Talent at Home
00:00
deň 2 - sekcia 1.2
12:30 - 13:10 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.
12:30
Filip Lešťan, Nord University Business School, Norway
Innovation (is not) enough. What matters is HOW we do it (5 min)
12:35
Peter Dittrich, Slovak Investment Holding
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, VUB bank
DISCUSSION "Innovation Isn't Enough. How Can a Company Finance its Growth?"
Vedrana Jelušić Kašić, VUB bank
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
12:20 - 12:35 Meet the Exhibitor (hall ROME)
scena.ai
13:20
sekcia
13:10 - 13:20 AI Agents for Public Administration - How to Find Answers in Government Documents (hall London I+II)
These agents save officials hours of manual searching, streamline work with administrative documents, and transform data into actionable insights on demand.
13:10
Jaroslav Reken, Joyful Craftsmen
Presentation (7 min)
13:30 - 13:45 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.
13:30
Juraj Paulen, Ministry of Interior of Slovak Republic
Presentation
12:40 - 13:25 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.
12:40
Andrej Lúčny, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics
How we control robots and how reliable they are (10 min)
12:50
František Duchoň, Institute of Robotics and Cybernetics
1on1 interview
12:00
Michal Adamík, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and Robots do Art
Robotic painting (10 min)
13:20
LUNCH
09:30
deň 2 - sekcia 4
14:20 - 14:35 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.
14:20
Argus, KVANT
Andrej Lúčny, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics
Robot and trends in robotics (10 min)
Andrej Lúčny, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics
14:20 - 14:35 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.
14:20
Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
1on1 interview
09:00
deň 2 - sekcia 2
14:35 - 14:55 The Modern Welfare State: Providing Support Before People Even Ask (hall London I+II)
The goal is for citizens to receive proactive assistance during key life events - such as losing a job, the birth of a child, caring for a loved one, or entering retirement. This discussion explores how the state is shifting from fragmented services and paperwork toward a support system built around life situations. The objective is not to create more portals, but to build a state that understands context, reduces bureaucracy, and delivers aid more actively, swiftly, with greater dignity, and increased trust.
14:35
Tomáš Drucker, Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Erik Tomáš, Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family of the Slovak Republic
DISCUSSION "The Modern Welfare State: Providing Support Before People Even Ask"
Erik Tomáš, Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family of the Slovak Republic
14:50 - 15:20 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
14:50
Renáta Hall, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic
Iva Kleinová, City of Bratislava and Bloomberg Associates
Andrej Salner, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
DISCUSSION "Talent and Quality of Life: Why People Choose to Stay in the City"
Iva Kleinová, City of Bratislava and Bloomberg Associates
Andrej Salner, Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia
11:35
sekcia 4.0
14:55 - 15:25 Data That Is Changing Government Decisions (hall London I+II)
14:55
Soňa Karabelli, Sector Councils Alliance
Andrej Klimant, Sector Councils Alliance
Integrated Labor Market Model (15 min)
Andrej Klimant, Sector Councils Alliance
15:10
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
15:35 - 16:05 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.
15:35
Miroslav Beblavý, CB ESPRI
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg
DISCUSSION "Connecting Universities, Business, and the City: How to Build a Talent Ecosystem"
Jiří Nantl, European Campus Hainburg
15:35
deň 2 - sekcia 3
15:25 - 15:55 Life Situation without Having To Run Around to Government Offices (hall London I+II)
15:25
Radoslav Štefánek, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Artificial Intelligence
1on1 Interview - Rules of the Game: How to Regulate AI? (8 min)
15:33
Patrik Krauspe, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
DISCUSSION "Life Situation without Having To Run Around to Government Offices"
10:00
deň 2 - sekcia 5
15:55 - 16:25 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.
15:55
Erik Minarovič, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
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"
Martin Peter, Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
Lukáš Šoltés, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
16:25
NETWORKING BREAK
11:20
sekcia doplnena
16:45 - 17:35 From Payment to Invoice: How is the Government Digitizing the Entire Business Process? (hall London I+II)
For the first time in Slovakia, not only is the payment method changing, but the invoice itself is as well. QR payments linked to eKasa provide instant payment notifications to the cash register and enable cashless mobile sales without the need for a terminal. At the same time, eFaktúra converts invoices from PDF to structured data, reduces error rates, speeds up processing, and will affect hundreds of thousands of entities in the coming years. Together, these projects show that the state no longer wants to merely monitor transactions but to build a new digital infrastructure for them. What do these projects bring to the country? And what do they bring to hundreds of thousands of businesses?
16:45
Jozef Kiss, Financial Administration of Slovak Republic
Electronic invoicing - the biggest change for businesses since the founding of the Slovak Republic (10 min)
16:55
17:05
Marcel Klimek, Slovak Banking Association
Stanislav Pavlovič, Financial Directorate of the Slovak Republic
Peter Steinhübl, Slovensko.Digital
DISCUSSION "From Payment to Invoice: How is the Government Digitizing the Entire Business Process?"
Stanislav Pavlovič, Financial Directorate of the Slovak Republic
Peter Steinhübl, Slovensko.Digital
13:50
deň 2 - sekcia 12
17:35 - 18:25 How to Manage Digital Projects That Actually Work? (hall London I+II)
17:35
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?"
Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
Marek Lendacký, Social Insurance Company
Erik Minarovič, Ministry of Finance of Slovak Republic
10:50
deň 2 - sekcia 7
18:25 - 18:55 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?
18:25
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, Slovak Academy of Sciences
ITAPA OPEN TALK: "Modernizing the Country: What to Fund and What to Stop Funding?"
Ladislav Šimko, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for the National and Regional Partnership Plan
Martin Venhart, Slovak Academy of Sciences
19:05
Glass of wine
08:00
EXPO ZONE
EXPO ZONE
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
