Build What Matters

« We, as individuals, have nothing left to lose. But humanity as a whole risks losing everything.

It may sound like a paradox, because every one of us will keep chasing dreams, loving people, building businesses, and living our lives.

Yet, today, the consequences of our choices extend far beyond our own existences. They have the power to uplift or jeopardize the lives of millions, protect or deplete our planet, create opportunities or breed new inequalities, bring people together or tear them apart.

Every generation has faced its own defining challenges.

Some rebuilt the world after war, others defended freedom and human rights, eradicated epidemics, or paved new pathways for science and knowledge. No generation has ever had the luxury of easy times, nor could they afford to wait for the perfect moment to act.

History doesn’t change when the times change. It changes when people change. It changes when someone decides to shoulder a responsibility greater than themselves and chooses to do the right thing - especially when it is the hardest thing to do.

That is why I don’t believe ours will be remembered as the generation of artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, or digital tech. Generations are never remembered for the technologies they invent, but for the courage they show in using those technologies to change the world.

Ours is the generation of Alessandra Cuevas, who keeps fighting to ensure the core principles of human dignity are never violated, reminding us that justice and rights don't belong to a single country, but to all of humanity.

It is the generation of Nader, who, even as war tries to steal his future, chooses hope every single day for his family and for peace.

It is the generation of Alicia Hanf, who, through her experiences in Afghanistan, evokes the value of humanity even in the most extreme circumstances and reminds us of that profound principle - our “human obligation to human beings”- urging us to build a future free from persecution together.

It is the generation of Jakidale and the engineers from the University of Pisa, who turned a dream into reality by flying the world's largest paper airplane, proving that groundbreaking innovation happens when someone finds the courage to believe in the impossible.

It is the generation of Alessio, who saw our project come to life when he was just a child, and who fights his own battle against a genetic disease every single day. He reminds us that medical research still has a long way to go, and that progress only truly matters when it tangibly improves human lives.

It is the generation of Daniele Pucci, who, from iCub to Generative Bionics, dedicates his research to putting robotics at the service of humanity, proving that progress is meaningful only when it fosters dignity, autonomy, and new possibilities.

It is the generation of Martino Mosna, to whom we dedicated this edition of WMF. He believed from day one in the digital world and in a community capable of sharing knowledge, building relationships, and creating opportunities.

It is the generation of Roberto Saviano, Francesca Albanese, Nicola Gratteri, and Giuseppe Lombardo, who continue to defend freedom, justice, and truth, risking their own safety to protect the safety of others.

It is the generation of thousands of startups, companies, researchers, innovators, speakers, partners, and volunteers who choose every year to put their talent at the service of a shared vision.

But above all, it is the generation of Beatrice, who will soon enter this world, and of every single child born after her.

So the question isn't what kind of future we will leave for our children. The real question is whether we had the courage to leave them the example of a generation that chose to use innovation to make the world more just, more free, and more human.

Maybe, in the end, our job isn't to invent the future.

It is to choose, every single day, which future is worth building.

And that is exactly why WMF exists. Not to gather tens of thousands of people around innovation, but to build an international community that connects people, ideas, businesses, research, institutions, and cultures with a single, shared goal: to steer progress toward what truly matters.

Because every startup, every research project, every investment, every business, and every piece of new technology only gains value when it improves people's lives, reduces inequalities, defends freedom, protects the planet, and creates new opportunities. This is what we have tried to build together. And this is the responsibility that, starting tomorrow, each of us will carry forward.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Before saying goodbye, I want to express my deepest gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who traveled here from every corner of the world. Thank you to the speakers, startups, companies, investors, researchers, universities, institutions, partners, volunteers, and everyone who shared their time, expertise, and vision - helping make WMF so much more than just an event.

A special thank you goes to the institutions that chose to be here, not merely as guests, but as true partners to a global community looking toward tomorrow. The presence of the Vice President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen, along with representatives from governments, international organizations, and institutions worldwide, proves that the great challenges of our time can only be met through dialogue, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

My deepest gratitude goes to every single person at Search On Media Group.

To those who work tirelessly, often facing personal hardships that remain invisible to the outside world.

To those who spend months working far from the spotlight.

To those who tackle every challenge with expertise, passion, and true teamwork.

And to those who keep believing that organizing WMF means creating opportunities for others long before it means putting on an event.

If WMF has become one of the largest international platforms for innovation, it is because of this extraordinary team that puts its talent to work for a shared vision every day. To them, I offer my most heartfelt thank you.

I say goodbye with immense gratitude for everything we have built together, and with even greater faith in what we will build starting tomorrow.

One day, someone will ask us what we did when the future was still a choice. I hope our answer can be simple:

"We chose to build what truly mattered". »

Build What Matters