Ukraine President Appears as Hologram to Massive Tech Audience While Asking for Aid

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky appeared as a 3-D hologram to 200,000 members of Europe’s technology scene Thursday. He spoke from an undisclosed location in Ukraine about the launch of a technology initiative which has international implications.

Zelensky conveyed that he wants to make Ukraine “digital-first” as the war with Russia continues. Part of that includes asking Europe’s tech leaders to support rebuilding Ukraine in a “digital lend-lease” program. Companies could “use Ukraine as a platform to develop new technologies in return for financial and technological support.” The concept is similar to the U.S. Lend-Lease Act during World War II that provided everything from food to weapons.

Zelensky established crowdfunding platform United24 earlier this year. The site allows donations to be used to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction.

“I believe we will win in this war, and we will rebuild everything that Russia has destroyed,” Zelensky told the audience. “We do not stop for a moment in our development, even now as the war is raging. We continue the digital transformation of our state, and our goal is to make Ukraine the freest digital state in the world.”

A Tech Message that Resonates

The hologram allowed Zelensky to give remarks at conferences that spanned Europe. Crowds heard him speak at Stockholm’s Brilliant Minds, London’s Founders Forum, Amsterdam’s The Next Web, Paris’ Vivatech and SuperReturn Berlin. Members of AI Summit London, which is part of the portfolio of Channel Future’s parent company Informa, were also among Zelensky’s audience.

“Ukraine is a chance for a global digital revolution − a chance for every technology company and a chance for every visionary to show their value, skills, technologies and ambitions,” he said.

ARHT Media, a distributor of high-quality and low-latency hologram and digital content, beamed the president to the stage.

“President Zelensky’s speech was incredibly passionate and moving. Our hologram technology made the delivery of his message all the more impactful,” said Larry O’Reilly, CEO of ARHT Media. “As the Ukrainian people face such a challenging time, I am proud to know that our HoloPresence technology was able to help amplify his message of resilience and courage on behalf of his country and its people.”

U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson spoke as well, however, via video.

“It’s never been more important that people of the world stand with the people of Ukraine. Ukraine should not be abandoned by her allies. We simply must not let that happen.”