What are the best solutions to some of society’s biggest problems? This is the Tech Tent’s focal point at Folkemødet 2023. Here the engineers discuss highly relevant topics—such as energy, climate, security and defense technology, and the government’s Master’s programme reform—together with experts, politicians, and other players.
Among other things, we will discuss whether nuclear power has the potential to become a new, major Danish export adventure and even whether we should conduct research into new nuclear technologies at all. We will also debate energy islands, as—starting from 2030—Bornholm will be a collection point for 3 GW of green power from offshore wind turbines installed in the Baltic Sea. But will Bornholm be a societal success or a local disgrace, detrimental to the island’s environment and wildlife? Security and defence technologies are also a hot topic, and we will be joined by the American ambassador to Denmark, Alan Leventhal, to discuss this issue.
Finally, we have invited four tech startups to the Tech Tent to pitch their business ideas to a panel with experience in entrepreneurial investments. The DTU startup DrinkSaver is one of the participants—they have developed a splash-proof drinking glass that can be used by both the elderly and festival guests. If you like what you hear in the tent, you will get the opportunity to support the participating startups financially.
“I’m excited to be coming to Bornholm and participating in interesting debates and events. We will present a wide range of debates in the Tech Tent, and we look forward to discussing current issues, getting some more nuanced angles, and inspiring each other to think innovatively and find new solutions to the challenges we face,” says DTU President Anders Bjarklev.
Taste the food of the future
On the pebble beach behind the Tech Tent, we have set up an area for some of the slightly different, more informal debates. Chef Nikolaj Kirk invites selected politicians on stage to test and taste the food of the future. Among the participants is Head of Department of DTU Food, Christine Nellemann, who will talk about the green transition of the food system. The beach stage is also where you will meet DTU's student association Polyteknisk Forening (PF), who will debate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
As always, there is room for more than debates and opinions. DTU ScienceShow entertains guests with explosions, colours, and storytelling, and school children can go on a treasure hunt for new antimicrobial agents. Guided by skilled engineering students, they will try to find previously unknown bacteria in Bornholm’s soil—bacteria that may be able to produce the antibiotics of the future.
You can also explore the seabed with remote-controlled underwater robots, have your brainwaves measured in real time with EEG equipment, and witness technology that will help astronauts sleep better. The technology will be tested in ‘real life’ by European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen when he is launched into space in August. The opening night will be capped off with a big party, with Minister for the Environment Magnus Heunicke as the DJ.
The Tech Tent is organized by DTU, Aalborg University, Aarhus University, IDA, and Engineer the Future. The festival will take place in Allinge on Bornholm from 15 to 17 June 2023.
You will find the Tech Tent at Cirkuspladsen (C25)
Read more about Folkemødet
