Brain Interface Technology: Supermen and Cyborgs

The panel discussion, titled "Brain-Interface Technology: Supermen and Cyborgs," brought together leading experts to explore the profound implications of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology on human rights, autonomy, and the future of humanity. The panel included Cathán Mayfair, Founder of WITHIN[ U ].AI | Consciousness AI; Jennifer French, Co-founder of Neurotech Network;  Jared Genser, Co-founder and General Counsel, Neurorights Foundation; Miguel Morillo, film director; Kate Rosenbluth, CEO Cala Health; Taryn Southern, Chief Storytelling Officer, Blackrock Neurotech; and Kim Old, Chief Commercial Officer, EMOTIV. Their dialogue spanned ethical, technological, and societal dimensions of BCI advancements.

The panel underscored that BCI technology represents both an unprecedented opportunity for human advancement and a profound challenge to fundamental rights. They concluded, the battle for neural sovereignty has already begun, whether humanity chooses cognitive independence or integration into AI-driven systems will define our collective future. The discussion called for proactive measures to establish ethical guardrails, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness to ensure that neurotechnology serves humanity without compromising its essence.

X-Men: Where Do We Set the Borderlines of Genetics?

X-Men: Where do we set the borderlines of genetics, featured He Jiankui, the Chinese scientist behind the first genetically edited babies, interviewed by Hannes Schlender, a renowned science journalist. The panel focused on the scientific, ethical, and regulatory aspects of germline genetic modification, particularly in light He’s controversial work. He Jiankui highlighted the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene-editing technologies to eliminate genetic diseases such as HIV, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. He emphasized that the children he edited in 2018 are now healthy and argued that gene editing could soon become as common as owning a smartphone. The discussion also touched upon the ethical risks of germline modification, including the potential for eugenics, human enhancement, and military applications, which He strongly opposed.

He advocated for international regulatory frameworks, possibly under organizations like the WHO, to oversee germline editing. He criticized European regulations as overly strict, contrasting them with more accepting attitudes in South Africa, the UK, Japan, and Korea, where legal acceptance of gene editing is growing. He Jiankui proposed public funding for genetic therapies to ensure broader access, particularly in developing regions like Africa, where genetic technologies could help fight HIV. The discussion concluded with a call for balanced regulation, ethical considerations, and public engagement to ensure gene editing is used responsibly for medical benefits rather than enhancement or military purposes.

Dreams of Electric Sheep and Blade Runners: The Rights of AI, Robots, and the Definition of Life

The panel discussion on "Dreams of Electric Sheep and Blade Runners: the Rights of AI, Robots and Definition of Life" brings together leading thinkers, including Nick Bostrom, Professor & Director of the Future of Humanity Institute; Dr. Gary Marcus, Psychologist, cognitive scientist, and author; Jürgen Schmidhuber, Scientific Director at Swiss AI Lab IDSIA and Co-Founder & former President, NNAISENSE; Andrew Steele, Scientist and author; Georg Tschurtschenthaler, Film producer known for Eternal You; and Taryn Southern, Chief Storytelling Officer at Blackrock Neurotech to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, ethics, and humanity's future.

The panel delves into ethical challenges posed by AI, emphasizing the need to prevent oppression, both of AI systems by humans and vice versa, and raising questions about the moral status of digital minds. Panelists warn against opening Pandora's box with sentient AI, citing risks such as unpredictable behavior and the potential for machines to gain rights that could harm humanity. Ultimately, the panel underscores the transformative potential of AI while emphasizing the urgency of addressing its ethical dilemmas, societal impacts, and existential risks through thoughtful regulation and philosophical clarity. The conversation paints a picture of a rapidly evolving technological frontier where humanity must navigate complex challenges to ensure a future that benefits both biological beings and digital minds.

Exploring Humanity's Future Beyond Earth: Space Colonisation, Existential Risks, and the Search for Life

The discussion, “Exploring Humanity's Future Beyond Earth: Space Colonisation, Existential Risks, and the Search for Life” featured Anders Sandberg, futurist and Senior Research Fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute (FHI); Toby Ord, philosopher, and founder of Giving What We Can; Jeff Sebo, philosopher; and Andrew Steele, scientist and author. The panel spanned technical challenges, ethical dilemmas, existential risks, legal considerations, and philosophical reflections on humanity's future beyond Earth. The panelists stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, philosophers, policymakers, and technologists to address these complex issues comprehensively. This conversation serves as a call to action for safeguarding humanity’s potential while ensuring ethical treatment of other life forms and intelligent systems encountered during our journey into space.

The panelists collectively reflected on broader philosophical questions about humanity's role in shaping the universe. Panelists addressed existential risks that threaten humanity's future, such as nuclear war, climate change, or unaligned artificial intelligence, with some proposing that becoming a multiplanetary species could mitigate some risks by spreading humanity across multiple locations. Sebo emphasized the need for ethical frameworks to guide interactions with new forms of life, whether biological beings or sentient AI systems, and to ensure compassion toward all entities encountered during space exploration. He questioned whether space exploration should prioritize humanity alone or encompass all forms of life with moral significance. Sandberg noted that while physical laws limit certain aspects of cosmic expansion (e.g., light-speed constraints), intelligent values will ultimately determine how humanity transforms its environment, whether through evolution, markets, or technological advancements.

Methuselah and Lazarus:
The End of Sickness and Death

The panel “Methuselah and Lazarus: The End of Sickness and Death” explored groundbreaking advancements in longevity science, the biological mechanisms behind aging, and the potential for reversing age-related diseases. Moderated by Andrew Steele, Scientist, author of “Ageless: The new science of getting older without getting old”, the discussion featured leading researchers in the field: David Sinclair, Biologist and academic known for his research on aging and epigenetics; Chris Bradley, CEO of Matter Bio; and Samim Sharifi, Chief Science Officer at Matter Bio. The panelists examined the fundamental causes of aging, the role of DNA and epigenetic damage, and emerging biotechnologies aimed at extending healthy lifespan.

The discussion was framed around the idea that aging should not be seen as an unavoidable decline but as a biological process that can be slowed, halted, or even reversed through medical interventions. They highlighted that the science of aging is advancing rapidly, with promising gene therapies, drug treatments, and biotechnological interventions showing potential for slowing, halting, and even reversing the aging process. However, regulatory and economic barriers remain, and more public and private investment is needed to bring these innovations to market.

New Rules: Identity and Gender

The discussion, “New Rules: Identity and Gender” was moderated by Nicholas Bruckman (American documentary filmmaker), with panelists including Graeme Reid (United Nations Independent Expert on the Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), Julia Monro (German activist and founder of the Trans Kids Project), and several members of Pussy Riot (Masha Alyokhina, Lucy Shtein, Nika Nikulshina), as well as human rights activist Lisa Samoylov. The panel explored the increasing politicisation of gender and LGBTQ+ rights, the legal and social challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in both authoritarian and democratic societies, and the ways in which governments and political movements weaponise gender identity for ideological and political gains.

Panelists shared firsthand accounts of persecution, legal restrictions, and state-led repression targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, with specific focus on Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, the situation in Chechnya, and increasing transphobia in Western political discourse. The conversation also addressed strategies for countering misinformation, leveraging advocacy and activism, and ensuring international solidarity for marginalised communities.The discussion centered on how LGBTQ+ rights have become symbolic battlefields in a broader struggle between authoritarianism and democratic freedoms.

Preventing Future Pandemics

Preventing Future Pandemics featured Anders Sandberg, Senior Research Fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute (FHI); Prof. Dr. Thomas Mettenleiter, Scientist with research on animal viruses affect humans; Prof. Dr. Lothar Wieler, German veterinarian and microbiologist, former president of the Robert Koch Institute; and Andrew Steele, Scientist, author. The discussion highlighted the increasing frequency of pandemics due to environmental destruction, urbanization, and globalization. Experts emphasized that human encroachment on wildlife habitats and biodiversity loss create conditions for zoonotic diseases to spread more easily. Addressing these root causes is essential to prevent future outbreaks.

Panelists stressed the need for international collaboration in pandemic prevention. They discussed the importance of global frameworks, such as the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies. Effective policies must prioritize early detection, coordinated response mechanisms, and equitable access to healthcare resources. Experts underscored the role of scientific advancements in preventing and managing pandemics. They discussed the potential of AI, genomic surveillance, and vaccine development to improve early warning systems and rapid response capabilities. Investing in research and innovation is key to staying ahead of emerging health threats. Panelists pointed out that underfunded public health institutions and unequal access to medical resources weaken global preparedness. Strengthening local and international health infrastructure can ensure faster containment and mitigation of future pandemics. A critical discussion point was the tension between economic activities and public health measures. While lockdowns and travel restrictions help contain outbreaks, they also impact economies. The panelists explored strategies to achieve a balance, including early intervention, targeted restrictions, and investments in resilient healthcare systems to minimize economic disruptions.

The session concluded with a consensus that preventing future pandemics requires a combination of scientific, economic, and political efforts. Experts called for continued global collaboration, stronger public health policies, and increased investment in pandemic preparedness to safeguard future generations.

The Race to Space – Who will Control the Global Satellites?

The panel “The Race to Space – Who will Control the Global Satellites?” featured key speakers including Luc Piguet, CEO, ClearSpace; Chris Blackerby, COO Astroscale; Yossi Yamin, Founder/CEO, SpacePharma; and Luis Sentis, Co-Founder and scientific advisor of Apptronik. Held during the World Forum 2025, this panel addressed two core questions: how to achieve global satellite communication for democratic access, and how to develop governance rules for space in the modern era.

Panellists agreed that satellite constellations are critical infrastructure, yet current control lies disproportionately in private hands, raising concerns about strategic autonomy, freedom of information, and militarization. They explored the geopolitical and technological dimensions of satellite infrastructure and space governance in the 21st century. With increasing reliance on space-based services for communication, defence, and climate monitoring, panellists highlighted the urgency of shaping equitable access, international coordination, and sustainable space practices.

A strong emphasis was placed on Europe's role in this transition. Luc Piguet, the keynote speaker, called for bolder European leadership, innovation, and risk-taking, arguing that the continent risks strategic dependency on non-European commercial actors without structural reform. He criticized bureaucratic constraints and highlighted the need for more agile certification systems across EU institutions. “I would argue that a lot of what SpaceX does would not be feasible without European engineering capabilities... We have world-class talent, deep expertise, and strong institutions. What we need is a bias for action and scale.” – Luc Piguet Key concerns included the dominance of private actors like SpaceX, the regulatory stagnation of bodies like UNOSA and COPUOS, and the emerging need for public-private partnerships to prevent monopolization and support democratic communication access.

Yossi Yamin argued for making space science accessible to all, he advocated for democratizing access to orbital platforms and using satellite infrastructure for educational and civic participation. The session also examined the fragmentation of global space governance and the economic and environmental incentives for expanding orbital industry. There was consensus that global space infrastructure is vital for future communication, defence, and climate response, but current governance frameworks are outdated and insufficient.