This year's main theme at Techpoint is "The power of continuous innovation and artificial intelligence". This theme suits both the region and Kristiansand Municipality particularly well.

- In Norway's municipalities, we need to constantly improve and streamline our services to make it as easy as possible to be a citizen. Digitization, more use of artificial intelligence and self-service are important tools for dealing with the challenges facing all municipalities in Norway," says Camilla B. Dunsæd, Municipal Director in Kristiansand. She adds: - "Digital follow-up of patients is one of many examples of how technology can help us assist more citizens in a safe and more efficient way.

- "As Norway's leading region in artificial intelligence (AI), we are committed to developing and adopting responsible AI solutions that are adapted to the local needs of the municipalities," says Ann-Helen Moum, Head of Digitization at Kristiansand Municipality. "We need to find solutions to the technological and organizational challenges facing the public sector right now.

- At government level, a plan is now being drawn up to help the technology industry set the direction for innovation and value creation. And this is happening in a meeting between the industry, municipalities and schools. With this as a backdrop, the conference will be extra exciting for us this year," says Moum.

Techpoint has grown to become a large and important annual technology and business conference that brings together experts and leaders from Norway and abroad. An important part of the conference is networking and listening to cutting-edge speakers that you won't otherwise meet in Norway.

- There are really big international heavyweights in technology and management coming to Kristiansand this year. We are very pleased with the program. Not least, it is extra nice that Minister of Digitalization and Public Administration Karianne Tung is coming to Techpoint," says Susanne Lende, Business Advisor at Business Region Kristiansand.

Karianne Tung will attend the first day of the conference, September 18, and also participate in a separate meeting with the technology industry in Agder hosted by the mayor of Kristiansand municipality, the county mayor of Agder and the University of Agder.

Here is an overview of this year's speakers.