Cultivating Human Connection and Creativity in the Intelligent Age: Annual Meeting 2025 Arts & Culture programme

Published
16 Dec 2024
2024
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World Economic Forum, public.affairs@weforum.org

  • Artists and cultural leaders from around the world will feature prominently in the official programme of the Annual Meeting 2025.
  • The arts and culture programme will include interactive AI-driven art, music, film, photography and handcrafted creations.
  • The Opening Concert will address the pressing issues of glacier melt in Antarctica, aligning with the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
  • Learn about the Annual Meeting 2025.

Geneva, Switzerland, 16 December 2025 – The World Economic Forum announces today the participation of prominent artists and cultural leaders in the Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters.

Under the theme, Collaboration in the Intelligent Age, the Annual Meeting 2025 will feature a dynamic and multifaceted arts programme, including interactive AI-driven art, music, film, photography and handcrafted creations. This vibrant showcase will emphasize the vital role of creativity in shaping the global dialogue on technological advancement and sustainable development, illustrating how culture can inspire innovation and foster meaningful connections in our rapidly evolving world.

“In this pivotal moment of humanity's transition to an intelligent society, creativity emerges as a guiding force for a more enlightened future,” said Joseph Fowler, Head of Arts and Culture at the World Economic Forum. “The arts and culture sector is uniquely positioned to lead this charge.”

A standout feature of the 2025 programme will be the Opening Concert, produced by Joseph Fowler. This concert marks the culmination of a transformative trilogy of concerts centred on urgent environmental themes. Following a focus on the plight of coral reefs in 2023 and the exploration of the Sahara-Amazon connection in 2024, the 2025 concert will address glacier melt in Antarctica, aligning with the UN's declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.

Attendees can look forward to an unforgettable blend of immersive AI-generated visuals, an electronic score and live music featuring Scandinavian singer-songwriter Ane Brun, Indigenous tenor and composer Jeremy Dutcher, multifaceted soprano Danielle de Niese accompanied by award-winning composer and pianist Tim Allhoff, and the Morphing Chamber Orchestra. The immersive visuals will be created by media artist and pioneer in the aesthetics of machine intelligence Refik Anadol. Together, they will celebrate the fragile beauty of our planet and inspire urgent action for environmental solutions.

Among the featured artists is Sougwen Chung, who will present her kinetic installation, SPECTRAL. This innovative work delves into the interplay between human intention and machine creativity, utilizing biofeedback and multi-robotic systems. Additionally, Swiss designer Kevin Germanier will highlight his sustainable fashion innovations, including the eco-conscious costumes he crafted for the Paris Olympics, underscoring the critical importance of environmentally friendly practices in the fashion industry.

Also on display is the Work in Progress, co-created by pop artist Jann Haworth and collage artist Liberty Blake, featuring over 130 inspirational women advocating for gender equity and representation. Marine biologist and award-winning photographer Cristina Mittermeier presents her Forum-commissioned exhibition, HOPE, which explores humanity's connection to nature while challenging narratives of hyper-consumerism and environmental degradation, highlighting our collective responsibility to protect the planet. Fibre artist Gary Tyler, a social justice advocate, shares his journey of resilience through artwork that addresses systemic inequities and amplifies marginalized voices, using mixed media and powerful imagery to provoke thought on racial injustice and inequality.

Cultural leaders in attendance will also include Melanie Brown (singer and best-selling author), Tom Daley (Olympic gold medallist), Misty Copeland (ballet star and philanthropist), Harvey Mason Jr (CEO of the Recording Academy) Yana Peel (Global Head of Arts and Culture at Chanel), Hans-Ulrich Obrist (Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries), Andrea Bocelli (operatic tenor) and Deborah Rutter (President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC).

About the Annual Meeting 2025

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust. Click here to learn more.

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All opinions expressed are those of the author. The World Economic Forum Blog is an independent and neutral platform dedicated to generating debate around the key topics that shape global, regional and industry agendas.

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