Hologram of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Pitches Tech Sector for Support

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise appearance at several of Europe’s major technology conferences as a hologram. He is calling upon the sector’s support and investment to rebuild his country at the end of Russia’s invasion, which has desolated it, by offering access to the country’s top tech minds and services. Through 3D technology, Zelensky addressed delegates at the conferences to ask them to back him and his vision of a technologically advanced Ukraine, post war. “We live in a time of super opportunities. It is no longer science fiction that artificial intelligence is as smart as humans. It is not just in the news, this is a reality,” he said, before referencing Star Wars and the use of data and technology to help “defeat the Empire.” He also highlighted his belief that technology could also help break down bureaucracy between governments and citizens. “Now, we offer the world’s leading tech companies our land’s list … the digital land list can become a key contributor in the victory of democracy against an Empire that hates everything modern. It’s Ukraine—and right now we can release the most advanced technologies to help people and protect institutions during this war,” he added, outlining that this could be provided online. These Ukrainian services including distance learning from individuals and artificial intelligence tech, which will be made accessible to companies and can be paid for through digital currencies: “No other country in the world will offer you such a chance to use the most advanced technologists at the state level,” he said. The 3D message was broadcast simultaneously to technology conferences across Europe: Brilliant Minds in Stockholm, The Next Web in Amsterdam, Viva Tech in Paris, Super Return in Berlin, London Tech Week, AI Summit, Dublin Tech Summit and Founder’s Forum in England. He also revealed an upcoming summit to discuss the future plan for Ukraine, which would take place in the coming weeks, and spoke about the launch of the “Digital For Freedom” initiative—which will allow “everyone to contribute to the development of the digital infrastructure the way you like, building new history, together. Building the new Ukraine together freely, brave and digitally,” he concluded. Zelensky was introduced by a range of celebrities such as Nile Rodgers, CBS News’ Gayle King, musician and activist Peter Gabriel and actress and presenter Amanda Holden, who spoke about the situation Ukraine had found itself in and praised the work of its president in rallying the nation to fight its invaders over recent months. What Ukraine Needs From Agencies and Brands at Cannes “Hopefully the president’s message will inspire the worldwide tech community into action in support of his cause,” said Rodgers. Viva Tech founder Maurice Levy responded to the speech by Zelensky by telling Adweek that he saw the president as having emerged as “an extraordinary leader,” comparing his ability to inspire through communications alongside historical figures such as Charles De Gaulle, Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi. Levy added that the tech sector was able to support Zelensky in his mission by offering support and work to Ukrainian people, while “[helping] think of solutions for the future and [bringing] creative solutions,” plus “investing massively in Ukraine” post war to help rebuild the country—meeting its vision to become a leading provider of technology companies and services. Another message from the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, backing Zelensky and calling on tech companies to do more for Ukraine was also set to run, but it is understood it was pulled without explanation prior to the session taking place across the various events.