Digital Minions: The Dawn of the Economy of Algorithms

Meet Botter Boy Nova, a teenage sneaker reseller who commands an army of shopping algorithms to snatch limited-edition sneakers faster than any human could click "buy now."

Welcome to the Economy of Algorithms, where digital agents are becoming active participants in our economic life - buying, selling, and making decisions that affect us all. Are you excited about this new world? Or quite the opposite?

In this engaging session, Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz (author of the award-winning book "The Economy of Algorithms, AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions") will take you on an eye-opening journey into a world where algorithms are no longer just tools - they're becoming economic agents in their own right. Through entertaining real-world examples and practical insights, you'll discover:

• How digital minions are reshaping commerce, from automated shopping bots to self-managing investment algorithms
• Why some algorithms are hiring humans (yes, you read that right!)
• What opportunities this creates for businesses and individuals
• Which pitfalls we need to watch out for as algorithms gain more autonomy
• Practical steps you can take to thrive in this new economic reality

Perfect for beginners, this balanced session combines humour with deep (occasionally academic) insights to make complex concepts accessible. You'll walk away understanding not just how algorithms are transforming our world but also what this means for your future - whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about where technology is taking us.