Smart Life Festival 2025 to Explore Future of the Internet in Italy
The tenth annual Smart Life Festival will be held in Modena, Italy, from October 16 to 19, 2025, bringing together experts to discuss the evolving digital landscape and the question of whether the original vision of the internet has been lost.
This year’s festival centers around the provocative theme “Is there no more Internet?” and will feature workshops, artistic installations, and keynote speeches examining the increasing dominance of Big Tech and its impact on data privacy and democratic participation. Speakers include Sergio Duretti, Digital Transition and Public Data Governance Director for the Municipality of Modena, and Gabriele Pollastri, Curator of Smart Life Festival for Fondazione Collegio San Carlo. Other confirmed participants are Nicole Ticchi, President of She’s a Scientist; Domenico Repetto, Director of Institutional Communication at MASE; Benedetta Brighenti, President of AESS and EU Climate Pact Ambassador; Marta Pellegrino, Head of Operations at Open Lab; and Gianluca Marchi, Deputy Rector at Unimore.
The festival will address the growing concerns surrounding data monetization and the rise of artificial intelligence, advocating for ethical governance frameworks and increased digital awareness. As concerns about algorithmic bias and misinformation grow, understanding these issues is increasingly vital for citizens and policymakers alike. Attendees can expect interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration and a renewed focus on human-centered technological development, building on the principles of Europe’s Digital Decade.
The Smart Life Festival is supported by the Municipality of Modena, Fondazione Collegio San Carlo, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, and the Modena Chamber of Commerce, with FPA as a partner. Organizers stated the event aims to rethink digital connections ethically and promote responsible technological advancement.
Festival organizers will share insights and highlights from the event through a video report following the conclusion of the festival.
The Smart Life Festival is set to take place from October 16 to 19, 2025, in Modena, Italy. This annual event celebrates digital culture and marks its tenth edition this year. The theme for the festival’s discussions and workshops centers around a provocative question: “Is there no more Internet?” This inquiry will guide numerous talks, interactive sessions, and artistic installations throughout the city.
Festival Highlights
The Smart Life Festival will feature a packed agenda, including:
- Workshops on digital ethics and sustainability
- Artistic installations that provoke thought on the current state of the Internet
- Keynote speeches from industry leaders and experts in digital governance
Notable Speakers
A variety of influential figures will participate, including:
- Sergio Duretti – Digital Transition and Public Data Governance Director, Municipality of Modena
- Gabriele Pollastri – Curator of Smart Life Festival for Fondazione Collegio San Carlo
- Nicole Ticchi – President of She’s a Scientist
- Domenico Repetto – Director of Institutional Communication at MASE
- Benedetta Brighenti – President of AESS, Climate Pact Ambassador for the EU
- Marta Pellegrino – Head of Operations at Open Lab
- Gianluca Marchi – Deputy Rector at Unimore
Thematic Focus
This year’s festival aims to explore the transformation of the Internet from a space for democratic participation to one dominated by Big Tech companies. These companies exert significant economic and political power, raising concerns about data monetization and the rise of artificial intelligence.
In light of these changes, there is an urgent need for ethical governance frameworks. The festival promotes digital awareness to help individuals critically assess information and content in today’s digital landscape.
Looking Forward
Attendees can expect a lively atmosphere filled with discussions aimed at rethinking digital connections ethically. The festival encourages collaboration and responsibility, aiming to place humanity at the center of technological development.
El-Balad will cover the festival with a video report, bringing insights and highlights from the event. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting occasion!
Smart Life Festival 2025 is supported by the Municipality of Modena, in collaboration with several esteemed organizations, including Fondazione Collegio San Carlo, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, and the Modena Chamber of Commerce. FPA is a proud partner of this initiative.
