Title of Keynote: How is AI Reshaping Deep Tech?
Abstract: The keynote of the SPS Entrepreneurship Forum will feature an interview-style conversation with Dr. Elisenda Bou-Balust, co-founder of Cala AI, moderated by Dr. Miquel, Director of Open Innovation and Science, Payaró of Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC).
Framed around the theme “How AI Is Reshaping Deep Tech”, the discussion will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the pathway from academic discovery to venture creation. Drawing on Dr. Bou-Balust’s experience as both a researcher and deep-tech entrepreneur, the session will examine how AI is accelerating research and development cycles, enabling new forms of experimentation, and lowering barriers for translating advanced signal processing research into scalable technologies.
Designed specifically for the ICASSP research community, the conversation will highlight emerging opportunities for academics to leverage AI tools, new funding models, and entrepreneurial ecosystems to turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Attendees will gain practical insights into the evolving interface between scientific discovery, technology commercialization, and the creation of next-generation deep-tech startups.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Elisenda Bou-Balust, Cala AI, Spain
Biography: Dr. Elisenda Bou-Balust is a Catalan telecommunications engineer and expert in artificial intelligence. She holds degrees in telecommunications from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and in electronic engineering from the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and completed her PhD in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focusing on wireless power transfer. Throughout her career she has collaborated with institutions such as NASA, MIT and Google on AI-related research. In the entrepreneurial sphere, Bou-Balust co-founded and served as CTO of Vilynx, an AI startup specializing in content analysis. In 2020 Vilynx was acquired by Apple in what was the company’s first acquisition in Spain, leading to the creation of an AI hub in Barcelona and her leadership of Apple’s Media Knowledge and Content Understanding division until 2024. Afterward, she founded another tech venture, Cala AI, addressing key challenges in large language models. Her entrepreneurial success has been recognized with awards such as the Young Entrepreneur prize in Catalonia and the Premio Princesa de Girona in the category of Empresa (Business). In addition to her industry work, she is committed to promoting STEM education and gender diversity in technology.
Keynote Speaker Moderator: Dr Miquel Payaró, CTTC (Spain)
Biography: Miquel received his Electrical Engineering degree in 2002 and PhD in 2007 from UPC, with international research experience at UNSW (Australia) and HKUST (Hong Kong). He joined CTTC in 2009, where he is currently Research Director (R4) at the Services as networkS (SaS) Research Unit. Since January 2022, he also serves as Director of Open Innovation and Science, a role strongly focused on entrepreneurship, where he actively promotes start-up and spin-off creation, fosters researcher participation in innovation programs, and manages CTTC’s intellectual property portfolio. Previously, Miquel held several leadership roles at CTTC, including Head of the Communications Technologies Division (2013–2021) and Head of the Engineering Unit (2011–2013), achieving significant growth in R&D income and recognition as a top-funded consolidated research group. He has played a key role in European research and innovation ecosystems, serving on the boards of the 5G Infrastructure Association, NetWorld2020, and WWRF. Miquel has coordinated large-scale EU projects (up to €18M), led multiple industry contracts, and contributed to technology transfer in 5G and beyond. His research spans signal processing, experimental wireless systems, and applied 5G technologies, with over 70 scientific publications and supervision of PhD research.
