Science & Society Forum 2026 - The Human Edge: Creativity as a Driver of Technological Leadership
What is the role of human creativity in an age of rapidly accelerating technological development? And how can our ability to think differently, challenge established ideas and imagine new possibilities contribute to innovation and Europe’s future competitiveness?
Event information
IVA Konferenscenter, Grev Turegatan 16, Stockholm
As AI and other emerging technologies transform how we work, create and solve problems, human creativity is becoming an increasingly important strategic resource. This year’s Science & Society Forum explores creativity not as something separate from science and technology, but as a vital part of our capacity to innovate, adapt and shape technological change.
Bringing together perspectives from technology, research, design, innovation, the social sciences and the arts, the seminar will explore what fosters genuinely new thinking and how creativity can act as a disruptive force in innovation. How can we create environments that encourage experimentation and unexpected connections? How can human creativity complement increasingly capable technologies? And how can Europe translate creativity, knowledge and ideas into technological leadership and long-term competitiveness?
The seminar will feature short contributions from the speakers, followed by a moderated conversation.
The seminar will be held in English.
Speakers
Anna Valtonen
IVA Fellow and Vice-Chancellor of Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design
Martin Nilsson Jacobi
IVA Fellow and President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology
Daria Tataj
IVA Fellow and Innovation expert and former Chair of EIT Culture & Creativity
Anthony Elliott
IVA Fellow and Distinguished Professor, Paris Institute of Advanced Study
Jacob Mühlrad
Composer
