ETH Meets New York 2024
21 Sep 2024 - ETH Zurich represents Swiss excellence in higher education at home and abroad. On the occasion of the UN Summit of the Future, ETH Zurich invites to an exclusive, two-session event at NeueHouse Madison Square New York. This in-person gathering will explore key global drivers, share insights, and uncover new questions.
ETH Zurich stands as a beacon of Swiss excellence in higher education, renowned both within Switzerland and on the global stage. In honor of the upcoming external page UN Summit of the Future, ETH Zurich is pleased to extend an invitation to an exclusive event at NeueHouse Madison Square in New York City. This special gathering will feature two engaging sessions designed to foster insightful discussions and collaborations among thought leaders, innovators, and global influencers. Join us as we explore the future of education, technology, and sustainable development in an intimate and inspiring setting.
Strategic Foresight and Drivers of Change in Aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
20 September | 9:00am – 10:30am | Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN, 633 Third Avenue, 29th floor, New York
Presentation & Dialogue
AI, Science Diplomacy, and the United Nations: Leveraging the current moment to support a sustainable digital transformation
For the United Nations, AI is relevant in at least three respects. First, AI methods are useful tools for information processing. They can help UN staff analyse large data collections – from text to satellite images – and respond to new digital threats. Second, AI projects can be an impetus for organisational change, prompting long-term improvements in data collection and recruiting. If done right, this strengthens evidence-based decision-making overall. Finally, ‘in-house’ AI projects enable learning-by-doing: they allow the UN to develop internal governance principles for responsible technology use, which can also inform the UN’s role in regulatory debates among member states. In this event, ETH researchers working on the ‘Conflict-Event Prediction for UN Peacekeeping’ project will discuss broader lessons learned from its collaboration with UN partners as well as the opportunities and challenges of AI for the UN.
By invitation only
21 September | 3:00pm – 5:15pm | NeueHouse, 110 East 25th Street, New York, NY
Workshop
The Future of Higher Education is crucial for global progress and well-being, driven by the need to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the rapid adoption of emerging technologies. This workshop will explore innovative strategies to reimagine higher education, focusing on key drivers of change such as Artificial Intelligence and All-Scope Decarbonization. Participants will examine challenges and opportunities across social, technological, economic, environmental, political, and legal dimensions, with the goal of creating education systems that inspire and equip future generations to achieve the SDGs. Through collaboration, the workshop aims to develop actionable insights and strategies to ensure higher education remains a transformative force in a rapidly evolving world.
2:30pm – 3:00pm Check-in & registration
3:00pm – 3:15pm Opening & introduction
3:15pm – 5:15pm Workshop
By invitation only
21 September | 5:30pm – 6:30pm | NeueHouse, 110 East 25th Street, New York, NY
Moderated panel discussion
An insightful dialogue that brings together globally recognized leaders in higher education to rETHink how universities will teach, research, and interact with society at large in the future.
The world is in an unprecedented time of change. The role of higher education is under unprecedented scrutiny. These factors require us to consider bold rETHinking to not only anticipate and meet the demands of the 21st century, but to remain relevant. How can higher education be reimagined to align with the burgeoning global challenges and opportunities? What forces are driving the transformation of higher education? How can universities adapt their teaching, research, and societal engagement to remain relevant and impactful? How can they expand upon their critical role in driving social progress, economic growth, and environmental sustainability?
Distinguished guests in conversation:
• external page Nicolas Dirks, President and CEO, New York Academy of Sciences
• external page Joann Halpern, Director, Hasso Platner Institute, New York
• Joël Mesot, President, ETH Zurich
5:15pm – 5:30pm Check-in & registration
5:30pm – 6:30pm Panel discussion
6:30pm – 8:30pm Networking reception
Contact
Office of the President