COLOURS CoLab Will Address IT Sector Challenges in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

April 7, 2026

From May 20 to 22, the CoLab "Challenges of the IT Sector in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" will take place in Ventspils. This year, it is dedicated to the challenges of the IT sector in the age of artificial intelligence. On the first day of the CoLab , entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn about the most actual issues and solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence and human resources in the IT sector by participating in discussions with industry experts. This day will serve as a foundation for the subsequent forum activities, during which students will analyze the identified challenges and develop ideas and practical solutions.


On the first day of the CoLab, May 20, the main focus will be on strategic industry issues and current challenges. The program includes expert keynote speeches, panel discussions, and co-creation sessions involving representatives of IT companies, developers of artificial intelligence solutions, cybersecurity specialists, as well as representatives from universities and the public sector. Discussions will center on topics such as labor market transformation under the influence of AI, the availability of qualified specialists, cybersecurity challenges, and companies’ adaptation to the new technological reality. The day will also feature solution presentations (pitches), highlighting existing initiatives and approaches to industry development.


“The CoLab is an important platform where education, business, and the public sector come together. Artificial intelligence is already significantly impacting the economy and the labor market, so it is important to identify both risks and development opportunities in a timely manner to strengthen the region’s competitiveness,” emphasizes Jānis Vītoliņš, Chairman of the Ventspils City Council.


On the second day, May 21, the CoLab will continue with practical work and the promotion of collaboration. The day will begin with the interfaculty activity “Networking Exchange”, where students will present their ideas, projects, and initiatives, fostering new connections and cooperation among representatives from different fields. Afterwards, students, academic staff, entrepreneurs, and industry experts will work together in teams to develop solutions to the challenges defined on the first day, receiving methodological and content-related support in structuring and developing their ideas.


The third day, May 22, will be dedicated to refining, presenting, and receiving feedback on the developed ideas. Teams will summarize their work, refine their solutions, and prepare short idea pitches to present to a jury and other participants. The final day will highlight the most promising ideas and outline their further development opportunities, promoting continued collaboration between students, universities, and industry partners even after the event concludes.


“The CoLab enables the university to closely link studies and research with real industry needs, helps the region develop its innovation ecosystem and strengthen competitiveness, and serves as a clear example of how international cooperation can translate into practical benefits at the local level,” notes Andris Vaivads, Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences.


The CoLab is organized as a unified three-day collaboration cycle, encompassing the identification of challenges, development of ideas, and presentation of solutions, thereby forming a complete innovation process and strengthening the connection between education, business, and the public sector.


More information about the forum program and agenda, as well as registration, is available HERE


Participation in the event is only possible with prior registration.


The forum is organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences within the framework of the European Universities Alliance COLOURS, which brings together nine regional universities to address challenges relevant to regions, in cooperation with the Ventspils City Municipality, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, and the Latvian Artificial Intelligence Association.

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