Berlin Hosts Digital Conference, Focusing on Intergenerational Exchange and the Future of the Internet
The Republica digital conference, which kicked off in Berlin on Monday, is a three-day event that brings together experts from the digital sphere, politics and business to discuss the future of the internet and the importance of intergenerational exchange. This year’s theme, “Generation XYZ” aims to bridge the gap between generations X, Y and Z, with a focus on the different ways they use social media and communicate.
According to the conference’s organizers, the age-related use of social media platforms and the various communication channels of each generation have made it challenging for the old and the young to come together and exchange ideas. The goal is to forge an intergenerational alliance, which is now more urgently needed than ever.
In his opening speech, Republica co-founder Johnny Haeusler emphasized the gravity of the current situation, stating, “Democracy is burning.” He warned that autocrats worldwide are taking advantage of the situation and that those who control technology, control the narratives and those who control the narratives, control reality, society, the present and the future.
Haeusler also highlighted the consequences of unchecked technological advancements, saying that social media can become a tool for disinformation, artificial intelligence a production tool for propaganda and algorithms the gatekeepers of truth. He emphasized that the digital future will be the result of the decisions made today and that these decisions should not be left to autocrats, technocrats, billionaires and platform owners.
The Republica conference, which will run until Wednesday, is also known as the “class reunion” of the digital elite. The event has been held annually in Berlin since its inaugural edition in 2007 and is expected to feature prominent speakers from the digital, political and business spheres.