Building The Future

This is the ambition we propose, it’s not a small task, and with it comes a lot of responsibility.

Microsoft’s mission is to “Empower every person and every organization in the planet to achieve more”, and it’s with that in mind that, for 4 years, we have looked to gather the Portuguese ecosystem to create something that would help us imagine a better future for our country.

Because sharing ideas and knowledge, networking, showing paths and experiences makes us all richer and more capable to defy the status quo, to do more and, above all, to make a difference. We know the future will be digital, it’s up to us to pave the way for Portugal and for the Portuguese to grab the opportunities on this new paradigm, where we can be global and have a size way beyond our somewhat limited and peripheral market.

We believe that Technology can and should be a force for good and we are optimistic in relation to the role innovation will have on improving the world and all our lives. But we can’t wait for it to happen solely on small groups of thinkers or researchers. It’s necessary to give the tools of innovation to everyone, because the potential of Technology depends on the people’s ideas and intentions. We should all be able to contribute. The thinkers, the dreamers, but also the do-ers. It is from those ideas that better lives will arise, in a better Portugal, in a better world.

The BTF 2021 edition was memorable. In a week where we were confined at home, and affected, directly or indirectly, by the overwhelming numbers from the pandemic, seeing 20 thousand people connected, for 3 days, listening to how technology could improve our lives was a breath of fresh air. We all felt connected, energized and close in those days that now seem very distant. And for that, our Thank You to everyone who participated in it!

In 2022 we will be back again, in January, to mark the beginning of the civil year, with what is already the biggest Portuguese digital transformation event. With the hope that we will be in a post-pandemic context, where our vision can be more free, less conditioned by bigger problems and, therefore, able to dream higher.

And, in order to have more of us dreaming and innovating, we will continue with the digital event, to share it with the biggest possible number of people, on all corners of the country. An event on digital transformation forcibly must be digital, but we want to create more proximity through new interaction dynamics between the participants and even with the speakers.

We will talk about the future. About a closer one and one farther way that will open our imagination. About people and a planet where they can live. About how education and skilling are bridges to that future, where we don’t want to leave anyone behind.

And we also don’t want you to be left behind!

I leave here the challenge to help us think about what themes you would like to see the most on BTF2022. Send us your suggestions to mkportugal@microsoft.com and the first 50 submissions will receive a code for free access to the event.

Let’s build the future together!