NEXT

Iara Dias is the CEO and co-founder of ikkio, a Finnish tech startup pioneering AI-powered smart glasses applications for blind and visually impaired users. At the forefront of spatial computing and accessibility, ikkio is building tools that leverage wearable technology, real-time computer vision, and large language models to create a more inclusive future.

With over 20 years of professional experience in several areas of business and industries, Iara has been focusing the last decade at the intersection of technology, music, and immersive digital experiences. Iara’s career spans product management, consulting, procurement, finance, artistic creation and more. She is the former Partnerships Manager and Producer at Decentraland, where she led globally recognized events like Metaverse Music Festival, Metaverse Pride, and co-produced events like the Metaverse Fashion Week, helping onboard brands, artists, and labels into Web3.

She has worked with blockchain startups to streamline royalties for songwriters, launched direct-to-fan platforms, and helped indie artists navigate the evolving digital economy. Her self-published book, Music Industry’s Business Models in the Digital Era, reflects her research on fan engagement, digital merchandise, NFTs, and direct-to-avatar strategies.

At NEXT Conference, Iara will explore how smart glasses, AI, and immersive technologies are converging to transform accessibility and the future of how we create, share, and experience content in the digital age.