Welcome to the Future: Insights from the CONNECTED-2024 Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan
ASTANA, Kazakhstan— Ah, the CONNECTED-2024 conference! A gathering of the best minds since your last family reunion, held from October 18-19, where over 2,000 participants tackled the pressing issues of our times. Leading futurists from 27 countries came together to discuss what’s next for humanity—while clearly avoiding the WhatsApp group chat about who forgot to bring the dessert.
With a focus on harmonizing the rapid advancements of technology with human values, the conference was like a well-oiled tech machine trying not to run over the ’80s reliving DJ at the office party. On the agenda? Creating a collective vision for our future, debunking the myth that adulting means having everything figured out. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t!
So, what did our globe-trotting thought leaders have to say? Well, you can’t have a serious future-talk without some existential angst! Tolukpayev keenly noted that “the world is full of uncertainty.” Well, mate, what else is new? Just like my bank balance after Christmas shopping! He called for discussions around our egos, because nothing screams “I’m ready for a collective future” like publicly asking, “Why am I such a twat sometimes?”
And Zhunussov, bless him, echoed these thoughts by pointing out that nature has all the answers—like synchronized fireflies lighting up the night! If only people would synchronize their Netflix binges, right?
The conference encouraged an “Open Mind” format—basically a polite way of saying, “Let’s pretend we’re listening while we secretly scroll through social media.” The topics ranged from science to social issues, embracing the idea that empathy and collaboration triumph over yelling at each other during family dinners.
But of course, you can’t have a conference about the future without Yuval Noah Harari gracing us with his wisdom. The man can make AI sound scarier than a horror movie marathon. He urged that as machines begin to create their values, humans might just become the side characters in our own lives—quite the plot twist, eh?
Another highlight was Gerd Leonhard who warned us that in the tsunami of tech evolution, we need to hold onto our humanity by the skin of our teeth. Because in the end, efficiency can’t replace a good old-fashioned chat—especially when your mate is trying to explain why pineapple on pizza is a crime against humanity!
Lastly, let’s not forget the Startup Battle! A competition that was probably as fierce as the Black Friday sales. Five EdTech startups from Central Asia and Eastern Europe were fighting for a slice of the $50,000 pot; the dream of every ambitious entrepreneur in the room, and undoubtedly, the reason for every bald spot from stress.
As the dust settles from this gathering of brilliant minds intent on shaping humanity’s future, one thing is clear: the CONNECTED conference aims to pave the way for ongoing global discourse. Who knew Astana was not just a stunning city, but also the hotspot for the future of humanity? So, dust off your futuristic goggles, folks! The future is here, and it’s buzzing with ideas like a bored bee in a flower shop.
With AITAS as the general sponsor, along with partnerships from educational foundations and the Kazakh Ministry of Science, they’ve set the stage for many more enlightened exchanges to come. Now, if only they could synchronize the conference planner’s calendar with every participant to avoid clashing agendas…
Contact them for more media inquiries, or to simply discuss when we can next gather for the world’s most awkward family reunion.
This article is designed to be informative, engaging, and filled with humorous observations while still being true to the context of the CONNECTED-2024 conference. Enjoy the reading!
