Diverse Technological Innovations from the University of Iceland at UTmessan

The impact of cyberattacks on Iceland’s infrastructure demonstrated with a LEGO model, interactive maps showcasing various aspects of nature and human life worldwide, virtual reality featuring a farm that was abandoned at the end of the Little Ice Age, the future of education with artificial intelligence, an electric racing car, and knitting machines utilizing digital technology. All this and more will be on display in the University of Iceland’s area at UTmessan, taking place at Harpa on February 7–8. Additionally, the ever-popular University of Iceland Design Competition will run concurrently with UTmessan.

UTmessan has been held annually since 2011 and is the largest event of the year for anyone interested in technology. Its aim is to highlight the diversity and vibrancy of Iceland’s tech sector, providing an opportunity to explore the latest developments in the world of computing and technology. Each year, numerous tech companies, universities, and institutions participate.

As in previous years, UTmessan spans two days: Friday, February 7, is a conference day for tech professionals, concluding with the presentation of the 2025 IT Awards by Ský. Saturday is the technology fair, open to the public, offering attendees a chance to explore various technological innovations and experience the wonders of technology.

University of Iceland Design Competition held concurrently on Saturday

As mentioned, the University of Iceland Design Competition will take place alongside UTmessan’s technology day, marking its 33rd year. Organized by students of mechanical and industrial engineering, the competition challenges participants to design devices capable of solving various tasks on a short obstacle course. Generous prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, along with a special prize for the most innovative design.

Virtual Reality, AI, and LEGO at the Technology Fair

The University of Iceland’s area in Silfurberg on Saturday will be buzzing with activity, offering visitors the chance to explore diverse projects and technological innovations across multiple disciplines. The Center for Digital Humanities and Arts will participate in UTmessan for the first time, showcasing how digital technology can enhance research in the humanities and arts, such as 3D scanning of artifacts, digital tools for reading handwritten documents, and an online historical registry of people and places.

Visitors can also explore cutting-edge educational technology, including how AI can shape the future of learning. There will be opportunities to learn about cyberattacks, cybersecurity, and phishing emails; discover the role of computer graphics in creating images, videos, and video games; and use it to visualize and narrate the effects of climate change. Virtual reality experiences will let attendees explore Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and an abandoned farm from the close of the Little Ice Age.

Attendees can draw on a computer with a digital pen, see how wireless IoT devices control construction cranes, contribute ideas for land use in the Icelandic highlands, and interact with over 500 interactive maps depicting various aspects of global nature and human life. There will also be demonstrations of how quantum computers and quantum technology will revolutionize future computing, communication, and sensing, as well as knitting machines that follow digital patterns. Visitors can learn about new technologies in language technology solutions for automated linguistic analysis and explore projects and experiences of women and nonbinary individuals in computer science at the University of Iceland.

LEGO enthusiasts will enjoy the presence of Icelandic champions from the First LEGO League, helping guests solve challenges with LEGO bricks and programmed LEGO robots. A LEGO model will also demonstrate the potential impacts of cyberattacks on Iceland’s infrastructure.

Additionally, students from Team Spark, the University of Iceland’s racing team, will showcase and explain their electric racing car. The University of Iceland Science Centre will also offer exciting experiments and workshops for the whole family, revealing the wonders of science.

Further information about UTmessan can be found on the conference website. The technology fair on Saturday is free and open to the public, subject to venue capacity.