AI.Weekend, held as part of Weekend.18, brought together the Croatian and global AI scene across two stages, reaffirming the festival’s role as the region’s central hub for exchanging ideas, knowledge, and inspiration. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a trend but a foundation of transformation, and true success in AI requires a combination of technology, vision, and an ethical approach, with local innovators and the Croatian industry capable of playing a significant role in the global ecosystem. The event covered a range of topics, from financial technologies and investments to innovations in banking and e-commerce, as well as the application of AI in education and research.
The festival raised a key question: how is AI changing business models and customer experiences? Vishal Harnal, partner at global venture capital fund 500 Global, stated: “There has never been a better time to start a company, AI is a turning point.” He highlighted logistics and green energy as key investment areas, reminding that “no algorithm can save a business without scalability and an ethical approach.”
Banking and finance took a central role in the discussion with Victor Dodig, President and CEO of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and Sheel Mohnot, co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures, moderated by Božidar Pavlović, partner at AYMO Ventures. Mohnot warned of inflated expectations: “There are too many startups using artificial intelligence just as a label, while the real value lies in solving real problems such as payment security and fraud.”
A special emphasis was placed on the Croatian industry and local innovators. Experts from Infobip, Orqe, Aestus, OWN Solutions, and Gideon shared examples of how AI implementation is improving communication, drone technology, financial services, and many other sectors. Matej Kuhar, Head of Data Science at Aircash, emphasized the practical application of algorithms in making users’ everyday tasks easier, while TikTok’s Joanna Nowak and Piotr Żaczko demonstrated how the combination of creativity and algorithms shapes global trends, with as much as 47% of campaign success driven by the content itself, not just algorithmic recommendations.
“For the second successful year in a row, we brought together global and local experts in Rovinj, and precisely now, when AI is no longer just a trend but part of everyday business,” said Nikola Pavešić, Program Director of AI.Weekend.
AI.Weekend in Rovinj showed that artificial intelligence is not just a trend but a tool driving innovation and tangible change in both industry and society. Visitors had the opportunity to gain insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, while the festival also sparked dialogue between global investors and local experts, demonstrating how theory can be turned into practice and how Croatia can become a significant player on the regional and global AI scene.
