Deguchi, Gabriel attend GESDA workshop; set to deepen collaboration between KIP and Swiss foundation

Established in 2019 by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton and City of Geneva, GESDA is an independent foundation that seeks to anticipate emerging scientific discoveries and use them to solve social issues. At the core of GESDA’s activities is the Science Breakthrough Radar®, a platform that identifies emerging scientific advancements expected to impact society over the next 5, 10, and 25 years. By sharing these findings with policymakers and the public, GESDA fosters a dynamic interface between science and diplomacy.

This year’s Villars Anticipation Workshop, the third time the event has happened, was held over three days (March 24–26) in Villars-sur-Ollon, a scenic alpine resort near Lake Geneva. This year’s theme, “Planetarised Humanity,” focused on deeply philosophical and globally relevant questions: How can we coexist— with each other and with non-human entities—amid accelerating globalization, digitalization, and AI development, without becoming fixated on short-term challenges or narrowly technical fixes? The workshop encouraged participants to think beyond the immediate and to explore new visions of human and planetary coexistence.

Bringing together 30 scholars from diverse fields including philosophy, anthropology, economics, public policy, and artificial intelligence, the workshop served as a space for large amounts of genuine interdisciplinary dialogue. Together, participants explored new conceptions of humanity that might support the societal integration of scientific breakthroughs. On the final day, Professors Deguchi and Gabriel co-led the final session, engaging with GESDA’s three fundamental questions: “Who are we, as humans?”, “How can we live together as societies?”, and “How can we ensure the sustainable future of our planet?”

Beyond the intense discussions, the participants enjoyed the Swiss cheese dish 'raclette' at a chalet near the snow-covered mountain summit and experienced snowshoeing while savoring breathtaking views of the Alps, making for a warm and collegial gathering.

Following the workshop, Professors Deguchi and Gabriel met with senior GESDA leaders, including Mr. Stéphane Decoutère (Member and Secretary General of the Board of Directors) and Professor Michael Hengartner (President of ETH Board; Chair of GESDA’s Academic Forum). The meetings concluded with a mutual commitment to deepening future collaboration between GESDA and KIP.