ICT and Related Sectors Digital Skills Training Project

Project No. 2.3.1.2.i.0/2/23/A/CFLA/001

Business and Innovation at the Future Ready Conference

On April 25, the Latvian Information Technology Cluster (Latvian IT Cluster), in collaboration with the Latvian Digital Accelerator (LDA) and RTU Riga Business School, organized the large-scale Future Ready conference, bringing together industry leaders and entrepreneurs to highlight key technology trends and their impact on business.

Conference participants gained strategic insights from technology and human resources leaders, learned about the latest innovations and human-technology interaction, and explored the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

The conference program offered a wide range of topics:

• Humans and Technology from a Global Perspective – internationally recognized robotics scientist and entrepreneur Cynthia Breazeal analyzed human-technology interaction and future possibilities.
• People, Collaboration, and Technology: How to Achieve Results? – business consultant and SIA ERDA owner Zane Čulkstēna shared how to ensure effective collaboration in a technologically advanced environment.
• Tomorrow’s Technologies Today – Kristaps Banga, Senior Manager for Growth and Innovation Strategy at Accenture, provided insights into innovation trends and their impact across various industries.

In addition to theoretical lectures, participants had the opportunity to take part in practical workshops, where experts shared actionable tools in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and change management.

Future Ready offers entrepreneurs the chance to stay ahead of change, acquire new skills, and prepare their businesses for future challenges.
Future Ready ir iespēja uzņēmējiem būt soli priekšā pārmaiņām, apgūt jaunas prasmes un sagatavot savu biznesu nākotnes izaicinājumiem.

Source: futureready.lv

Living in a Technological Revolution That Demands Continuous Learning

What is the specialization of the Flowbyte.ai brand in the IT sector?

I am Maksims Sičs, representing Flowbyte.ai – an artificial intelligence (AI) automation agency. I previously graduated from a Swedish university, Stockholm School of Economics, and worked six years in finance. When ChatGPT and related AI technologies emerged, I realized that the work I was doing would be automated within 3–5 years. I didn’t want to fall behind but rather ride the wave. I left finance, spent a year and a half learning, and founded Flowbyte.ai, which today helps small and medium-sized companies both in Latvia and abroad automate processes using AI. For example, if a company wants to perform a process more efficiently—like reaching customers, increasing engagement, or testing marketing strategies—it can be automated with AI. Many entrepreneurs don’t even realize how much can be achieved this way. I also run a YouTube channel where I share practical AI solutions and applications. You can find it under my name: @MaksimsSics.

What opportunities does continuous learning provide for those working in the industry?

In the IT sector, continuous learning is essential because the field constantly evolves with new discoveries. Working with AI, I see a vast range of opportunities in information technology (IT). These include code generation and application development, enabled by various technologies. Even a new, inexperienced IT specialist can quickly reach a medium or high skill level, because modern technologies allow machines to handle more tasks. These tools open up immense possibilities for all professionals. So why not learn today when tomorrow something even newer will appear?

What character traits are important for a good company leader?

A leader should develop three key traits:

1. Empathy – Despite technological advances, we must retain humanity and emotional intelligence. While AI agents may become the best specialists, human oversight remains crucial.
2. Curiosity – Continuous learning is vital in our technological era. Leaders must constantly develop competencies to know what to do next, how to do it more effectively, and what new tools are emerging.
3. Adaptability – The ability to adjust flows naturally from curiosity. The world changes rapidly, and leaders must embrace change and guide adaptation with minimal friction.

What benefits does implementing IT bring to a company?

Implementing IT is similar to adopting other innovations. First, a business case identifies the problem an AI tool can solve and the objectives for its implementation. AI should deliver tangible benefits: financial gains, cost reduction, faster response to customer inquiries, higher-quality service, and more personalized communication. AI solves specific problems and accelerates processes. Once the purpose is clear, we evaluate resources, integration possibilities, testing, and monitoring.

How do you see the industry evolving in the future?

I believe that in the future, more than half of IT processes will be automated. Within 3–5 years, more advanced AI agent systems will emerge, allowing broader automation with fewer resources. It’s crucial to inform IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and the public about current possibilities because this will increase efficiency across sectors, companies, industries, and even the Latvian state.