top of page
7-11 December, 2021
ABOUT
DataFest Tbilisi 2021
Online & Offline
DataFest Tbilisi 2021 is the 5th edition of an annual international data conference happening in the vibrant capital of Georgia. This time, it will take place in a hybrid format, through a combination of physical and digital attendance.
Instead of traditional 3 days, the festival will now last for -- wait for it -- five straight days!
It will bring together hundreds of data professionals from all around the world, to inspire and encourage, and to create meaningful connections.
Follow us:
#DataFestTbilisi
What about the content?
Is it relevant for me?
If you are interested in any of the following topics, then it definitely is!
-
Business & Startups
-
Data Science & AI
-
Data Visualization
-
Data Activism and Open Government
DataFest Tbilisi 2021 will feature inspirational talks and in-depth workshops and each day of the festival will be fully devoted to each of our four topics.
Our Speakers
Watch the talks from previous editions
Jeremy Boy
Lead Data Scientist @ UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Team
Jeremy is the lead data scientist in the UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Team. He is a graphic designer/ multimedia artist by training, who holds a PhD in information and communication sciences; he specializes in human computer interaction, information visualization, and visual analytics.
After working on data visualization literacy, and citizens’ online engagement with open and public data, he has spent the last six years working with new sources of big data to inform human rights, humanitarian, and now development academics and practitioners.
Currently, he is focused on building an emergent, digital, network learning strategy and prototype for knowledge management of the Accelerator Labs Network.
Jeremy is still driven by his artistic background, having been the General Chair for the IEEE VIS Arts Programs in 2017 and 2018; and by his academic background, being on multiple human computer interaction, information visualization, and AI conference and journal committees.
Jeremy is the lead data scientist in the UNDP Accelerator Labs Global Team. He is a graphic designer/ multimedia artist by training, who holds a PhD in information and communication sciences; he specializes in human computer interaction, information visualization, and visual analytics.
After working on data visualization literacy, and citizens’ online engagement with open and public data, he has spent the last six years working with new sources of big data to inform human rights, humanitarian, and now development academics and practitioners.
Currently, he is focused on building an emergent, digital, network learning strategy and prototype for knowledge management of the Accelerator Labs Network.
Jeremy is still driven by his artistic background, having been the General Chair for the IEEE VIS Arts Programs in 2017 and 2018; and by his academic background, being on multiple human computer interaction, information visualization, and AI conference and journal committees.
Sesili Verdzadze
Ana Robakidze
Founder & CEO @ Theneo
Ana graduated from New York Tech and worked as a software engineer in New York for several years before joining Clientela as Head of Engineering for the last three years. She has assisted companies in integrating with hundreds of APIs and, unfortunately, has encountered a lot of poor quality API documentation. Because of that Ana, with the support of Mariam Doliashvili, created an AI-powered app that generates high-quality, interactive API documentation in just a few seconds. The beta version was only released in August, yet the platform is already being used by over 1000 businesses. The startup has won a number of competitions, given presentations at Web Summit and TechCrunch, and has more exciting news on the way.
Ana graduated from New York Tech and worked as a software engineer in New York for several years before joining Clientela as Head of Engineering for the last three years. She has assisted companies in integrating with hundreds of APIs and, unfortunately, has encountered a lot of poor quality API documentation. Because of that Ana, with the support of Mariam Doliashvili, created an AI-powered app that generates high-quality, interactive API documentation in just a few seconds. The beta version was only released in August, yet the platform is already being used by over 1000 businesses. The startup has won a number of competitions, given presentations at Web Summit and TechCrunch, and has more exciting news on the way.
Irakli Kashibadze
Founder @ Go and Grow
Irakli has extensive working experience in the information technology, telecommunication, and innovation industry. He has strong professional skills in Business Planning, Complex Problem Solving, Innovation Management, Innovation Development, Management, and Startups. Irakli has a 10-year experience of working in Government in leading positions. He is the initiator of different state initiatives for Information Society, Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Development, and Broadband for All development.
Irakli initiated the creation of the State Agency for Technology and Innovation of Georgia (GITA), Startup Georgia initiative; he served as a Chairman of Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) from its inception until November 2016. -
Currently, he is developing his own Startup - GoandGrow (www.goandgrow.ge) - an innovative platform for SoftSkills Assessment in Collaborative, Project-Based Environment with complex assessment algorithms and AI.
Irakli has extensive working experience in the information technology, telecommunication, and innovation industry. He has strong professional skills in Business Planning, Complex Problem Solving, Innovation Management, Innovation Development, Management, and Startups. Irakli has a 10-year experience of working in Government in leading positions. He is the initiator of different state initiatives for Information Society, Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Development, and Broadband for All development.
Irakli initiated the creation of the State Agency for Technology and Innovation of Georgia (GITA), Startup Georgia initiative; he served as a Chairman of Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) from its inception until November 2016. -
Currently, he is developing his own Startup - GoandGrow (www.goandgrow.ge) - an innovative platform for SoftSkills Assessment in Collaborative, Project-Based Environment with complex assessment algorithms and AI.
Vazgen Hakobjanyan
Partner @ smartgate.vc & Founder @ The Magical Labs
Vazgen is a partner at smartgate.vc and founder at The Magical Labs.
SmartGateVC is a Silicon Valley pre-seed venture capital fund backed by Tim Draper and a network of entrepreneurs and professionals from the US, Europe, and MENA, with the key focus on deep tech: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security, Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging Computational Biotech, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain across California, Massachusetts, NYC, Armenia, and wider Eastern Europe.
Vazgen is a partner at smartgate.vc and founder at The Magical Labs.
SmartGateVC is a Silicon Valley pre-seed venture capital fund backed by Tim Draper and a network of entrepreneurs and professionals from the US, Europe, and MENA, with the key focus on deep tech: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security, Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging Computational Biotech, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain across California, Massachusetts, NYC, Armenia, and wider Eastern Europe.
Andrey Krachkov
Data Collection Consultant @ UNDP
Andrey is a Data Collection Consultant working within UNDP’s SDG Integration team. He is interested in the development of health and socio-economic interventions that can assist lower-income countries’ improve their resilience to pandemics— both before and after they occur.
As part of UNDP, Andrey has worked on the development of the Global Vaccine Equity Dashboard to provide data-driven insights about the effects of differential vaccine access to both national and international stakeholders.
Andrey’s background is in biology and he holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Andrey is a Data Collection Consultant working within UNDP’s SDG Integration team. He is interested in the development of health and socio-economic interventions that can assist lower-income countries’ improve their resilience to pandemics— both before and after they occur.
As part of UNDP, Andrey has worked on the development of the Global Vaccine Equity Dashboard to provide data-driven insights about the effects of differential vaccine access to both national and international stakeholders.
Andrey’s background is in biology and he holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Luka Chkhetiani
CTO @ Wavetech.ai
Luka is chief Technology officer at Wavetech.ai, he has many years of proven experience in tech management, deep learning research and design, and deployment of scalable enterprise software and hardware. Luka’s main focus is on computer vision and speech processing. Currently he is working on a tool converting audio-video content to text format, that can identify specific disinformation keywords.
Luka is chief Technology officer at Wavetech.ai, he has many years of proven experience in tech management, deep learning research and design, and deployment of scalable enterprise software and hardware. Luka’s main focus is on computer vision and speech processing. Currently he is working on a tool converting audio-video content to text format, that can identify specific disinformation keywords.
Keti Bosikashvili
CEO/Solution Architect @ Pulsar AI
Keti Bosikashvili is a CEO and Solution Architect at Pulsar Ai Georgian Team, She is an expert in AI technology, Software engineering and Software architect, IT Management and IT Projects. Keti is now working on a complete solution that will allow fact-checkers to work more efficiently by using an automated, integrated database to detect and analyze disinformation related actors.
Keti Bosikashvili is a CEO and Solution Architect at Pulsar Ai Georgian Team, She is an expert in AI technology, Software engineering and Software architect, IT Management and IT Projects. Keti is now working on a complete solution that will allow fact-checkers to work more efficiently by using an automated, integrated database to detect and analyze disinformation related actors.
William Dunbar
Deputy Chief of Party @ Zinc Network
William Dunbar is the Deputy Chief of Party of the Georgian Information Integrity Program. A dual British and Georgian citizen, prior to joining Zinc Network William has been based in Tbilisi for over a decade working as a journalist, investigative researcher and consultant. William has been an organizer of a first successful Counter-Disinformation Innovation Competition, in Georgia under the USAID Information Integrity Program, implemented by Zinc Network.
William Dunbar is the Deputy Chief of Party of the Georgian Information Integrity Program. A dual British and Georgian citizen, prior to joining Zinc Network William has been based in Tbilisi for over a decade working as a journalist, investigative researcher and consultant. William has been an organizer of a first successful Counter-Disinformation Innovation Competition, in Georgia under the USAID Information Integrity Program, implemented by Zinc Network.
Irakli Lezhava
Co-founder @ Ensofy
For more than 6 years, Irakli has been working in Digital Health, Diagnostics and Medical Imaging industries - in Germany and Sweden.
Currently, he is a co-founder at Ensofy, a startup that is building a vocal diagnostic tool for mental health using Artificial Intelligence. Ensofy’s goal is to improve the mental well-being of employees at large organizations.
For more than 6 years, Irakli has been working in Digital Health, Diagnostics and Medical Imaging industries - in Germany and Sweden.
Currently, he is a co-founder at Ensofy, a startup that is building a vocal diagnostic tool for mental health using Artificial Intelligence. Ensofy’s goal is to improve the mental well-being of employees at large organizations.
David Janezashvili
CEO @ Mata Mine
Davit Janezashvili is a data scientist at UN innovation cell, developing AI-powered tools for social media monitoring. David is currently working on comprehensive, AI-powered technology to smooth the process of detecting disinformation.
Davit Janezashvili is a data scientist at UN innovation cell, developing AI-powered tools for social media monitoring. David is currently working on comprehensive, AI-powered technology to smooth the process of detecting disinformation.
Ketevan Kukava
Rule of Law and Human Rights Direction Head @ IDFI
Ketevan’s areas of expertise include personal data protection, human rights, justice sector reforms, and the rule of law. She has a diverse background of working in the public and non-governmental sectors. She has considerable experience in research, project management, and university teaching.
She is the author/co-author of numerous publications on human rights, judicial reform, and the law enforcement system. At present, she is leading a project aimed at promoting personal data protection in Georgia in cooperation with the State Inspector Service.
Ketevan holds a Master's Degree in International Law from Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and a joint Master's Degree in Human Rights Policy and Practice from a consortium of three partner universities: the University of Roehampton, University of Gothenburg and Arctic University of Norway.
Ketevan’s areas of expertise include personal data protection, human rights, justice sector reforms, and the rule of law. She has a diverse background of working in the public and non-governmental sectors. She has considerable experience in research, project management, and university teaching.
She is the author/co-author of numerous publications on human rights, judicial reform, and the law enforcement system. At present, she is leading a project aimed at promoting personal data protection in Georgia in cooperation with the State Inspector Service.
Ketevan holds a Master's Degree in International Law from Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and a joint Master's Degree in Human Rights Policy and Practice from a consortium of three partner universities: the University of Roehampton, University of Gothenburg and Arctic University of Norway.
Irakli Gogatishvili
Head of Data Research Lab / Product Owner @ BOG
Prior to joining the Bank of Georgia, Irakli worked as a data scientist at CSOB in Prague. He was in charge of predictive modeling, management information system development, and building rules for the credit decision engine.
Irakli obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the University of Turin, where he also worked as a research fellow.
His interests in artificial intelligence development focus on speech and reasoning technologies for business and social good.
Prior to joining the Bank of Georgia, Irakli worked as a data scientist at CSOB in Prague. He was in charge of predictive modeling, management information system development, and building rules for the credit decision engine.
Irakli obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the University of Turin, where he also worked as a research fellow.
His interests in artificial intelligence development focus on speech and reasoning technologies for business and social good.
Ivditi Gabeskiria
Co-Founder @ Trice
Ivditi studied computer science and economics in the States, where she worked as a web and mobile developer.
She co-founded Trice, a startup that enables multilingual communication by offering a seamless and easy-to-use translating experience through its mobile platform. Trice provides a real-time, secure, and all-in-one chat, voice and call solution.
Ivditi studied computer science and economics in the States, where she worked as a web and mobile developer.
She co-founded Trice, a startup that enables multilingual communication by offering a seamless and easy-to-use translating experience through its mobile platform. Trice provides a real-time, secure, and all-in-one chat, voice and call solution.
Irakli Vekua
CEO @ Rentech & co-founder @ Lupi AI
Irakli is a serial entrepreneur with exits in EdTech and E-commerce. In 2012 he co-founded Kings, an EdTech company which scaled up from Georgia to 3 EU countries and was sold in 2018.
Irakli is a co-founder of EBG (e-commerce) which was bought by the largest media company in Georgia in 2020.
Currently, Irakli is a CEO at Rentech (Fintech company) and board member in multiple companies. Additionally, he is an active angel investor (and member of Axel Business Angel Network).
Irakli is a serial entrepreneur with exits in EdTech and E-commerce. In 2012 he co-founded Kings, an EdTech company which scaled up from Georgia to 3 EU countries and was sold in 2018.
Irakli is a co-founder of EBG (e-commerce) which was bought by the largest media company in Georgia in 2020.
Currently, Irakli is a CEO at Rentech (Fintech company) and board member in multiple companies. Additionally, he is an active angel investor (and member of Axel Business Angel Network).
Levan Shugliashvili
Senior Software Engineer @ EPAM Systems
Levan Shugliashvili is a senior software engineer at EPAM Systems, and has several years of experience in various data science and machine learning engineering roles. He studied computer science at San Diego State University, and published several papers in the field of applied machine learning during his undergraduate studies.
His specialties include deep learning framework internals, microservice development, music information retrieval, and continual learning.
Levan Shugliashvili is a senior software engineer at EPAM Systems, and has several years of experience in various data science and machine learning engineering roles. He studied computer science at San Diego State University, and published several papers in the field of applied machine learning during his undergraduate studies.
His specialties include deep learning framework internals, microservice development, music information retrieval, and continual learning.
Daniella Peled
Managing Editor @ IWPR
Daniella is a journalist and editor with nearly 20 years experience of reporting foreign affairs, particularly from the Middle East. Daniella oversees all editorial content and production at IWPR. She has designed and implemented journalism training in many of IWPR’s areas of operation including Afghanistan and Iraq.
Daniella is a journalist and editor with nearly 20 years experience of reporting foreign affairs, particularly from the Middle East. Daniella oversees all editorial content and production at IWPR. She has designed and implemented journalism training in many of IWPR’s areas of operation including Afghanistan and Iraq.
George Lubaretsi
Software Engineer @ PolicyFly
George is a software engineer at PolicyFly, building modern, scalable and robust systems that transform an ancient way of doing business in the insurance world.
He has built fully automated systems for collecting real-time data of millions of properties across multiple US states and thousands of corporations in Georgia.
Recently, he partnered with the Shame Movement to digitize and analyze data of Georgian elections, revealing electoral anomalies and providing the first-ever machine-readable elections datasets to the public.
George is a software engineer at PolicyFly, building modern, scalable and robust systems that transform an ancient way of doing business in the insurance world.
He has built fully automated systems for collecting real-time data of millions of properties across multiple US states and thousands of corporations in Georgia.
Recently, he partnered with the Shame Movement to digitize and analyze data of Georgian elections, revealing electoral anomalies and providing the first-ever machine-readable elections datasets to the public.
Rezo Imnadze
Co-founder & CTO @ Identomat
Rezo is a serial entrepreneur and one of Georgia’s foremost experts in software engineering and AI solutions architecting. His 15+ years of professional experience spans across multiple continents and industry segments. His knowledge and technical expertise powers the foundation of Identomat’s ID verification and KYC products and solutions.
Prior to co-founding Identomat, Rezo has developed various large-scale Machine Vision and Robotic Process Automation applications for automating manufacturing production lines, accelerating credit approval decision-making, and developing a tax administration system for underdeveloped countries, to name a few.
Rezo is a serial entrepreneur and one of Georgia’s foremost experts in software engineering and AI solutions architecting. His 15+ years of professional experience spans across multiple continents and industry segments. His knowledge and technical expertise powers the foundation of Identomat’s ID verification and KYC products and solutions.
Prior to co-founding Identomat, Rezo has developed various large-scale Machine Vision and Robotic Process Automation applications for automating manufacturing production lines, accelerating credit approval decision-making, and developing a tax administration system for underdeveloped countries, to name a few.
Neil Richards
Business Intelligence EMEA Lead @ JLL
Neil Richards is a current three time Tableau Zen Master and Public Ambassador, and works as a BI Lead at JLL in the UK where he is responsible for best practice dashboard visualisations, internal community building and data viz enablement within the organisation. He is also a former Knowledge Director of the Data Visualization Society and current Editorial Director for Viz for Social Good. Neil also blogs at questionsindataviz.com where he regularly discusses and demonstrates his personal (and often unorthodox) data visualisation projects.
Neil Richards is a current three time Tableau Zen Master and Public Ambassador, and works as a BI Lead at JLL in the UK where he is responsible for best practice dashboard visualisations, internal community building and data viz enablement within the organisation. He is also a former Knowledge Director of the Data Visualization Society and current Editorial Director for Viz for Social Good. Neil also blogs at questionsindataviz.com where he regularly discusses and demonstrates his personal (and often unorthodox) data visualisation projects.
Dustin Gilbreath
Deputy Research Director @ CRRC Georgia
Dustin Gilbreath works on surveys, causal inference, and public policy at CRRC Georgia, a think tank based in Tbilisi, but working in over 30 countries around the world.
Dustin Gilbreath works on surveys, causal inference, and public policy at CRRC Georgia, a think tank based in Tbilisi, but working in over 30 countries around the world.
Dachi Choladze
Co-founder and CEO @ Pulsar AI
Dachi is a Co-founder and CEO of Pulsar AI. In 2019, Pulsar AI raised $1.2M on Silicon Valley and in early 2021 the company got acquired by the New York based, leading global digital merchandising company SpinCar, making it the first successful global exit of a Georgian startup.
Dachi is a Co-founder and CEO of Pulsar AI. In 2019, Pulsar AI raised $1.2M on Silicon Valley and in early 2021 the company got acquired by the New York based, leading global digital merchandising company SpinCar, making it the first successful global exit of a Georgian startup.
Edil Baiyzbekov
Data Journalist & Software Developer
Edil is an award winning data journalist and software developer from Kyrgyzstan, currently based in Ukraine. He has a diverse background of working in the news media, NGO and humanitarian tech industry. Most recently he worked at Unicef Office of Innovation.
Edil is exploring new ways of telling stories with code, experimenting with data visualizations and developing apps for social good.
The femicide study he co-developed in Kyrgyzstan won the Sigma Awards 2021. He pioneered in AR data storytelling. His telegram bot for victims of domestic violence won the UN hackathon. And two of Edil’s articles were listed in top-10 data journalism projects by GIJN.
Edil is an award winning data journalist and software developer from Kyrgyzstan, currently based in Ukraine. He has a diverse background of working in the news media, NGO and humanitarian tech industry. Most recently he worked at Unicef Office of Innovation.
Edil is exploring new ways of telling stories with code, experimenting with data visualizations and developing apps for social good.
The femicide study he co-developed in Kyrgyzstan won the Sigma Awards 2021. He pioneered in AR data storytelling. His telegram bot for victims of domestic violence won the UN hackathon. And two of Edil’s articles were listed in top-10 data journalism projects by GIJN.
Nikoloz Mamisashvili
Senior Data Scientist @ Bank of Georgia
Nikoloz Mamisashvili is a data scientist and practitioner with economic background. He studied Econometrics at Tbilisi State University, Georgia, and Data Science at Sapienza University, Italy.
Nikoloz's main experience stems from the finance industry. He worked as a data scientist at OPPA, Liberty Bank. He recently joined the Bank of Georgia and now he is Senior Data Scientist and Solution Architect.
He specializes in the study of customer behavior with traditional and novel data science methods.
Currently, Nikoloz is focused on Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing models for business use cases at the Bank of Georgia.
Nikoloz Mamisashvili is a data scientist and practitioner with economic background. He studied Econometrics at Tbilisi State University, Georgia, and Data Science at Sapienza University, Italy.
Nikoloz's main experience stems from the finance industry. He worked as a data scientist at OPPA, Liberty Bank. He recently joined the Bank of Georgia and now he is Senior Data Scientist and Solution Architect.
He specializes in the study of customer behavior with traditional and novel data science methods.
Currently, Nikoloz is focused on Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing models for business use cases at the Bank of Georgia.
Giorgi Jangiani
Media Policy Analyst & Consortium Manager @ People in Need | Georgia
Giorgi is a media policy analyst and consortium manager at People in Need Georgia, where he is currently leading the 'Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Georgia' project. The project, which is funded by USAID and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unites leading fact-checking organizations to fight disinformation and aims to improve media literacy skills among ethnic minorities.
Giorgi holds a joint master's degree in European Public Policy from the University of York and the Central European University.
Giorgi is a media policy analyst and consortium manager at People in Need Georgia, where he is currently leading the 'Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Georgia' project. The project, which is funded by USAID and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unites leading fact-checking organizations to fight disinformation and aims to improve media literacy skills among ethnic minorities.
Giorgi holds a joint master's degree in European Public Policy from the University of York and the Central European University.
Agenda
Organizers & Partners
Organizer
Partners
Supporters
-%20high%20res.png)
.png){kind=small}
Media & Community partners
Tickets
⭐ If you're attending the festival online, you can buy a 5-day ticket, but if you're going to attend the event physically, you'll need to buy a ticket for each day separately.
Please note that due to Covid regulations, only a limited number of people will be able to attend the festival in a physical space, so if that’s what you’re planning on, we're encouraging you to hurry up. Only those holding a valid covid passport will be allowed to attend the event.
Speakers
Agenda
Partners
Tickets
Venue
Venue
Offline - Tech Park Georgia
Online - Zoom
Tech Park, Tbilisi, Georgia. 84903.
Innovation Street # 7
How about Covid-19 safety?
All the regulations imposed by the state will be strictly enforced:
- Only those holding a valid covid passport will be allowed to attend
- Everyone will be required to wear a face mask
- The venue will be ventilated by opening its large windows frequently
- Distance will be maintained between seats
- Up to 70 people at a time will be allowed to attend
bottom of page