Future Societies

Where decision makers gather

What does tomorrow look like? Future Societies gathers world leaders, tech innovators, policymakers and activists to examine how technology is transforming the way we live, learn, work and play.

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Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship, Government of Canada, on Centre stage during day one of Collision 2023 at Enercare Centre in Toronto, Canada
Sean Fraser
Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship
Government of Canada

What's happening?

Discover what lies in store for society, as we explore four curated content streams at Future Societies. That’s not all – your ticket also gives you access to all roundtables and masterclasses, and to talks on 15-plus other tracks at Collision.

The people vs Big Tech

The tech industry is experiencing mass layoffs as funding cools off and valuations dip. Those who’ve been hardest hit are the working people behind tech’s behemoths. Does the imperative to turn a profit trump the welfare of their employees?

Will tech save democracy or destroy it?

As tech becomes all-pervasive, the need to establish effective regulations grows more urgent. What we say and even how we think is threatened by the almighty algorithm. In the past decade we have seen the legitimacy of elections come under question and cybersecurity top national agendas. Do we need technology to save democracy or are we saving democracy from technology?

Is digital privacy a human right?

Much of our everyday life has moved online, a process that was accelerated during the pandemic. We leave digital footprints wherever we go which can be tracked, interpreted and monetized. Is the trade-off for convenience our privacy? If the way in which we communicate is monopolised, how can we ensure that our private lives are protected?

Will we regret the future?

In spite of all the advances we’ve made in tech and innovation, have we really done enough to stop human suffering and climate disaster? Why are we still dealing with famine, drought and war in the 21st century? In what ways has tech failed to fix these global crises and what needs to happen to make sure we confront them head on?

Meet some of our past Future Societies speakers

Ayọ (fka Opal) Tometi
Ayọ (fka Opal) Tometi
Co-founderBlack Lives Matter
Olena Zelenska
Olena Zelenska
The First Lady of UkraineUkraine
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai
Co-founderMalala Fund
Margrethe Vestager
Margrethe Vestager
EVP: A Europe Fit for the Digital AgeEuropean Commission
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime MinisterGovernment of Canada
Pedro Sánchez
Pedro Sánchez
Prime MinisterGovernment of Spain
Deborah Archer
Deborah Archer
PresidentACLU
Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen
PresidentEuropean Commission
António Costa
António Costa
Prime MinisterGovernment of Portugal
Cornel West
Cornel West
Academic and activist
Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Executive Chairman of the Institute for Global Change; Former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern IrelandTony Blair Global Institute
Al Gore
Al Gore
ChairmanGeneration Investment Management
Frances Haugen
Frances Haugen
The Facebook WhistleblowerWhistleblower Aid
Kumi Naidoo
Kumi Naidoo
Secretary-GeneralAmnesty International
Edward Snowden
Edward Snowden
PresidentFreedom of the Press Foundation

Companies that have joined our events

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Al Gore, Chairman, Generation Investment Management

“The will to change is itself a renewable resource.”

Al Gore, Chairman, Generation Investment Management

Christiana Figueres, Convenor, Mission2020, on planet : tech Stage during day one of Collision 2019 at Enercare Center in Toronto, Canada.

“We really do have a responsibility to draw the line and change the course.”

Christiana Figueres, Convenor, Mission 2020

Laura Miele, Electronic Arts, on Centre Stage during day three of Collision 2019 at Enercare Center in Toronto, Canada

“I believe everything is going to be OK, and that our future is going to be better than our past.”

Laura Miele, Chief Studios Officer, Electronic Arts

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