Georg Henrik Wrede

I had a great time at the Cloud Technology Townhall Tallinn 2025 (CTTT25) event on January 30th and 31st. The event provided a fascinating glimpse into the evolving world of AI and its impact on various aspects of business and society. From security best practices to the ethical considerations of AI development, the conference offered a diverse range of topics that sparked thought-provoking discussions. Not to mention the great possibility it provided to both make contacts with the sponsors who had made the event possible and to make new friends with likeminded people.

Keynote Highlights

• Vesa Juvonen set the stage with his keynote on ”The Power of Community in the Age of AI.” Juvonen’s insights into the creative potential of AI and the importance of context in AI interactions resonated with the audience. He emphasized that AI is a tool that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely.
• Ott Velsberg (Estonian Government) explored the role of AI in building the next generation of e-governance. His presentation highlighted the potential of AI to improve public services and enhance citizen engagement.
• Chris Huntingford  closed the event with a thought-provoking keynote on ”Defining the Default of the Next Generation in the AI-verse.” Huntingford challenged the audience to consider the ethical implications of AI and the responsibility of developers to ensure its safe and responsible use.

  

Highlights from Breakout Session I attended.

• Gregor Reimling led a packed session on ”Top 10 Azure Security Best Practices.” In a fully packed hall Reimling shared practical tips for securing Azure environments and protecting against evolving threats.
• Sari Soinoja offered a more intimate session on ”Hidden Gems of SharePoint Premium.” Soinoja showcased the advanced features of SharePoint Premium, including its potential for streamlining HR processes and automating document workflows.
• Jasper Oosterveld  delved into the intricacies of ”Unlocking the Power of Sensitivity Labels.” Oosterveld explained how sensitivity labels can be used to control access to sensitive information and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

 

• Pieter Op De Beéck challenged conventional thinking about ROI in his session on ”The Real ROI of Copilot (for Microsoft 365).” Op De Beéck argued for a shift in focus from Return on Investment to Return on Employed (ROE), emphasizing the importance of measuring the impact of technology on employee productivity and well-being.

  

• Nathan Sweeney  captivated the audience with his presentation on ”Dodging the AI Apocalypse with Azure Foundry.” Sweeney shared his insights into building secure and reliable AI applications using Azure Foundry.

  

• Nicklas Ahlberg provided practical guidance on securing Windows 11 environments in his session ”10 Security Settings You Must Configure in Windows 11.” Ahlberg shared real-world examples of how to protect against common security threats.

  

• Sara Fennah explored the hidden productivity gems of Microsoft 365 in her session ”Winning Big with Microsoft 365: Discovering Hidden Productivity Gems.” Fennah showcased the advanced features of Microsoft 365 that can help organizations streamline workflows and improve collaboration.

  

• Feline Parein provided a comprehensive overview of setting up the Power Platform for success in her session ”Environment Essentials: Setting Up Power Platform for Success.” Parein shared best practices for configuring Power Platform environments and ensuring scalability and reliability.

 

• Pauline Kolde offered practical strategies for managing information overload in her session ”Overcoming Information Overload: How to Build a Second Brain.” Kolde introduced the PARA method for organizing information and improving productivity.

  

• Teele Tamme shared lessons learned from Microsoft’s journey with generative AI in her session ”Empowering My Team with Generative AI: Lessons from Microsoft.” Tamme emphasized the importance of experimentation, validation, and human-centered leadership in the age of AI.

 

The CTTT25 event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest advancements in AI and their potential impact on business and society. The diverse range of speakers and topics ensured that there was something for everyone, regardless of their level of technical expertise. As AI continues to evolve, events like CTTT25 will play an important role in fostering dialogue and collaboration around the technology that is changing all our lives.

Read more and check out the speakers, those I mentioned and all others on the CTTT25 website: https://cloudinntech.com/