A unique event during which it was possible to see and talk to the avatar of Maria Curie-Skłodowska took place on 21-22 October at the Lublin Conference Centre. The International Maria Curie-Skłodowska Congress “Innovation is a woman. Science – Business – Education” gathered a group of distinguished guests from the world of science, education, politics, business and culture. The Antoni N. Patek Hall was attended by, among others, secretaries of state in the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of State Assets, members of parliament as well as representatives of central and local government administration. The congress was also attended by dr Sylwia Mokrysz, who, together with dr Irena Eris, dr Sylwia Dołęgowska and Aleksander Broda, took part in the discussion panel “The female face of business”.

The guests talked e.g. about experiences related to running and developing companies, as well as the subject of succession. This group also received the honorary statuettes of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, which were presented by representatives of the UMCS rector authorities.

During her speech, Sylwia Mokrysz mentioned the beginnings of the Mokate company, the work on the first TV commercial for Mokate Cappuccino and the new Institute for Coffee and Tea Market Research (based in Ustroń and London). She also emphasised the special role of family: “Motherhood has strengthened in me the belief in how important family is in life. It is a universal, indisputable and timeless value. Even looking at the history of the world – regardless of the era, systems and philosophy – we are convinced that family has always been the basis for the functioning of man as an individual and the foundation of entire societies in general.”

An extremely interesting part of the Congress was an immersive meeting with an interactive avatar of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, who spoke to those gathered in the Lublin Conference Centre using the voice of the Nobel Prize winner. It was a showcase of the achievements of AI technology, ChatGPT-4, 3D programming, cloud web solutions and historical knowledge.

More details about the congress can be found on the website of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University: www.umcs.pl.

In the photo from the left: Magda Mołek – journalist leading the discussion panel, dr Irena Eris, Sylwia Dołęgowska from the Żagiel Group, dr Sylwia Mokrysz and Aleksander Broda from the Kulczyk Foundation