Muthomi Ireri
Re:publica is one of Europe’s largest festivals dedicated to digital topics, held annually in Berlin since 2007. This year’s event is expected to draw around 25,000 attendees, who will engage in discussions about the global impact of digitalization.
Markus Beckendahl, co-founder of Re:publica, describes the conference as Europe’s largest digital event focusing on the digital society. Over the next three days, 1,800 speakers will participate in more than 800 sessions, addressing a wide range of issues and debates about our evolving digital world and the future of society.
The theme for this year is “Who cares?”—a phrase with a deep message. The organizers aim to prompt discussions about who will care for the elderly, how society functions, and the overarching influence of artificial intelligence (AI). Beckendahl emphasizes that while AI has brought many benefits, it also risks concentrating power within a few companies, and efforts must be made to democratize AI.
The festival features global organizations, including Digital Innovation in Pandemic Control (DIPC), which is applying pandemic lessons to global health issues. Monica Amponsah from Ghana highlights the need for ethical AI use to enhance global health.
With 2024 being a significant election year, there are concerns about AI being used to spread disinformation and undermine democracy. Matthias Heider, a disinformation researcher, acknowledges the risks but also points out AI’s potential to help identify and manage hate speech online, aiding moderators in maintaining a healthier digital environment.
Dj Vnyash
