What you can expect to discover at Rakuten Optimism 2021
Rakuten Optimism is just around the corner! Taking place from October 12-13, the free online event will see top luminaries and business leaders from around the world sharing their insights on the latest innovations in tech, mobile communications, digital transformation, AI and more.
With so many top tier speakers and sessions, you may be wondering where to start. Fortunately, we have you covered: Below are some of the sessions you won’t want to miss at this year’s largest-ever Optimism event, organized chronologically to help you schedule your day.
Day 1
How 5G Will Empower the Future
Following his featured keynote address, which is sure to set an Optimistic tone, Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani will focus on the potential of fifth generation mobile networks to change the world. In a session titled How 5G Will Empower the Future, Mikitani will welcome Cristiano R. Amon, President & CEO of Qualcomm, to discuss the future of what is to come in 5G, mobile and beyond. Qualcomm, which provided key technology and components for Rakuten Mobile’s base stations, has been a key partner in helping Rakuten Mobile execute its revolutionary fully virtualized network and shares the company’s passion for developing trailblazing technologies.
Security in an Interconnected Digital Ecosystem
Security experts from Microsoft, Cisco and Rakuten will come together to discuss recent trends in digital security and the importance of building a security culture during this day one panel session entitled Security in an Interconnected Digital Ecosystem. Attendees can look forward to hearing Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President of Security, Compliance & Identity (SCI) Business Development of Microsoft, Anthony Grieco, VP, Chief Information Security Officer, Security and Trust Organization of Cisco Systems, and Yasufumi Hirai, Executive Vice President, CIO & CISO of Rakuten talk about some of the most important issues facing both businesses and individuals in the digital age.
Revolutionizing Interconnectivity in Global Mobile Networks with Rakuten Communications Platform
Moving on to Tuesday afternoon, Tareq Amin, Chief Technology Officer of Rakuten, will moderate a session on Revolutionizing Interconnectivity in Global Mobile Networks with Rakuten Communications Platform. His guests on stage will be Michael Martin, CEO of Drillisch Netz AG and Director Mobile Radio Network for 1&1 Telecommunication SE, and Rabih Dabboussi, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Symphony. Rakuten and 1&1 recently entered a long-term partnership to build Germany’s fourth mobile network, following Rakuten’s own footprints as Japan’s fourth network. Tune in to hear about 1&1’s ambitious plans in Germany and how Rakuten is taking its world-first network global.
Day 2
Connecting the Unconnected: Achieving 100% Coverage from Space
Day 2 will start with an out-of-this-world session featuring Abel Avellan, Chairman, founder and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile and Nobuyuki Uchida, Executive Officer, Division Manager, Technology, Strategy & Compliance Division at Rakuten Mobile. Their session, Connecting the Unconnected: Achieving 100% Coverage from Space, will explore how AST SpaceMobile’s innovative satellite-to-cellular technology can change the way the world connects — providing coverage in remote areas, or even during disasters. Can’t wait to learn more about AST SpaceMobile? Following Rakuten’s investment in the Texas-based business, Avellan offered Rakuten Today readers insights into his company’s plans.
Art of the Possible: Empowering Change
The day’s second speaker session, Art of the Possible: Empowering Change, will see Accenture Chair & CEO Julie Sweet join Mikitani on the Rakuten Optimism virtual stage. Sweet, who has been at the helm of the IT consulting and services giant since 2019, has earned a reputation as a champion for change. Amid the pandemic, Accenture recognized that businesses worldwide were having to adapt to unprecedented change. The company responded by launching a new brand campaign called “Let there be change.” The campaign is “designed to inspire organizations to embrace change to create more value for the benefit of all.”
Workplace Communication Revolution
Speaking of helping organizations adapt to unprecedented change… In a session titled Workplace Communication Revolution, Yasufumi Hirai will greet Eric S. Yuan, Founder & CEO of Zoom Video Communications. The two will come together to discuss the future of the workplace and how technological solutions can empower the way we connect and communicate with the world around us.
Social Innovation: When the Real and the Digital Converge
The session Social Innovation: When the Real and the Digital Converge will see Mikitani joined by Hiroya Masuda, Director and Representative Executive Officer, President & Group CEO of Japan Post Holdings. Japan Post and Rakuten recently entered a business and capital alliance that sees the two companies collaborating on logistics, digital transformation, mobile and marketing, among other areas. We look forward to seeing how these innovators are teaming up to converge expertise and digitalize Japan.
Japan’s Digital Transformation
Rakuten Optimism 2021 welcomes Takuya Hirai, Japan’s Minister of Digital Agency, to deliver a presentation on Japan’s Digital Transformation. The Ministry, which was announced in 2020, faces the immense challenge of shifting Japan’s often analog bureaucracy to digital efficiency. In a conversation with Mikitani earlier this year, Hirai revealed he aims to take an entirely different approach to government: “Essentially we want to change the way we’ve done things up until now. The agency is a symbol for regulatory reform, a major pillar of our growth strategy; we want to change the mindsets of every governmental agency.” He will share his bold vision for leading Japan’s digital transformation.
How Technology Superpowers are Driving the Digitalization of Everything
In the afternoon, Mikitani will be joined by Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, for a discussion on How Technology Superpowers are Driving the Digital World. Intel is a key partner for Rakuten Mobile, providing its processors throughout the network from RAN to core, helping it to provide flexible carrier service at low cost and break new ground in the telco industry. Viewers around the world should look forward to an insightful conversation between two of the global tech leaders shaping the future of technology.
Registration is now open for free
Rakuten Optimism 2021 is a two-day online conference taking place on October 12 and 13 and is free to register and participate. Visit the Rakuten Optimism 2021 site for more details.
