At the seventh edition of Building The Future, Microsoft’s flagship event in Lisbon, AI took center stage—not as a threat to human jobs, but as a powerful ally for progress. With over 7,000 attendees, the conference celebrated the return to the Carlos Lopes Pavilion and reaffirmed Portugal’s role as a fertile ground for digital transformation.
Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas opened the event by underlining that innovation is key to productivity and job creation. He spotlighted the Unicorn Factory and its AI Hub as examples of initiatives driving economic dynamism and attracting global players like Microsoft. Moedas believes Europe can lead the way in ethical AI, ensuring technology serves humanity rather than replaces it.
Microsoft Portugal's General Manager Andrés Ortolá emphasized that AI is already here—and that the focus must now shift to widespread adoption. From SMEs to hospitals like Santa Maria, where AI has cut report prep time by 40%, the benefits are real. Ortolá announced the AI National Skilling Program, aiming to train 6 million people in AI skills, and launched initiatives like special pricing for startups and the AI Global TV show.
Chess legend Garry Kasparov reminded attendees that while machines can outperform humans in some tasks, it’s humans who define the questions—and that’s our greatest edge. “We’re not being replaced,” he said, “we’re being promoted.”
Microsoft Western Europe President Joacim Damgard likened AI to electricity—ubiquitous, transformative, and essential. With 34,000 engineers focused on secure, responsible AI, the company is laying the groundwork for the next technological revolution. The message was clear: Portugal is ready, and the time to act is now.
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