Markets

The 8th edition of TEDxCortina took place at the Rifugio Col Gallina, where more than 500 participants gathered to engage in discussions centered around the theme "NOW: New Contemporary Paths." The event, set against the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites, featured 11 exceptional speakers who guided the audience in exploring ways to navigate the complexities of the present moment.
The event held at the Rifugio Col Gallina in Cortina d’Ampezzo, brought together 11 speakers from diverse fields to discuss the future of technological innovation and sustainability in the magnificent mountain setting. TEDxCortina emphasized the importance of courageously tackling the climate and social challenges of our time, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Giulio Apollonio, who made the perpetual snows of Ra Valles accessible over 50 years ago through the Funivia Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo project. Today, his granddaughter, Giulia Apollonio, highlighted the urgency of rethinking the use of the mountains in an era where snow is becoming increasingly unreliable.

Federico Naccarato Sartori, Chief Innovation Officer for the United Nations in Kenya, underscored how climate change, world hunger, and technological innovation are interconnected on a global stage. His mission, which has taken him to refugee camps and the most vulnerable regions of Africa, aims to leverage innovative technologies to address humanitarian emergencies, promoting public-private collaboration for tangible impacts on the lives of millions.

Daniele Cassioli, a blind world champion in water skiing, shared his life philosophy, urging everyone to live in the present by letting go of the burdens of the past and anxieties about the future. This approach, he argued, is essential for achieving inner balance and improving personal performance.

Domenico De Maio, Director of Education & Culture for the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, emphasized the importance of placing young people at the center of public and private policies, recognizing them as the true protagonists of the country’s future.

Luna Bianchi, co-founder of Immanence, stressed the need to reform copyright law in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). She pointed out that the current rules, established over a century ago, are now obsolete and no longer meet the needs of the digital society. Bianchi called for transforming AI into a common good, aimed at collective well-being, to build a fairer society where authors’ rights are genuinely protected.

Other notable contributions included Chiara Mugnai, Chief Data Scientist at Eoliann, who explored the role of AI in enhancing resilience to climate change; Anna Gregorio, co-founder of Picosats and a professor at the University of Trieste, who spoke about her contributions to major scientific space missions; and Giovanni Vozzi, who presented on the revolution in bioengineering. Additionally, Stefano Cappello from Limenet discussed the fight against the environmental impact of CO2 in the oceans.

The event concluded with reflections on the future of sustainability, touching on topics ranging from the importance of blood donations, as highlighted by Chiara Schettino of Rosso, to the advancements in bioengineering and the environmental challenges facing our oceans.

TEDxCortina 2024 provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on global and local challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure a better future for generations to come.