MAINSTAGE

On June 4th, the Mainstage of WMF hosted some of the most authoritative voices in technological innovation, including Alicia Hanf (LG Nova), John Wesley (Senior Director at Nvidia), and Matteo Lepore, Mayor of Bologna, who shared insights on urban innovation and the role of cities in driving the digital and sustainable transition. The discussion also covered AI ecosystems, the role of European policies in global competition with Michiel Scheffer (European Innovation Council), and ESA’s perspective on AI and sustainable development in the aerospace sector.

On June 4th, the Mainstage hosted powerful voices from the world of journalism and creativity. Flavia Carlini, activist and educator, spoke about how social media have transformed contemporary activism. Pablo Trincia explored the power of storytelling in investigative journalism, while Ale Della Giusta, content creator, discussed entrepreneurship in the digital world. Plestia Alaqad shared her perspective as a war correspondent.

In a rapidly changing world, understanding global dynamics is essential. Simonetta Di Pippo, head of the Space Economy Evolution Lab at SDA Bocconi, provided a current take on geopolitics, while Federico Faggin, microchip pioneer, shared an ethical and humanistic perspective on innovation. Finally, Scott Yusuke Sugino, President of Yamaha Music Innovations, offered a creative and collaborative vision of innovation on a global scale.

Key themes such as inclusion, civil rights, and digital ethics played a central role, thanks to the presence of voices committed to protecting the most vulnerable. Cathy La Torre, renowned for her legal activism, reflected on the challenges surrounding digital rights and social inclusion. Nadia Lauricella, influencer and activist, shared a perspective inspired by overcoming physical and cultural barriers.

The WMF Mainstage hosted discussions on international relations and the future of journalism. Alan Friedman reflected on the relationship between Europe and the United States, joined by Nicola Gratteri, Chief Prosecutor of the Naples Court, who addressed the topic of legality from a global perspective. Mimmo Lucano, mayor of Riace and member of the European Parliament, also took to the stage to share his thoughts on the role of local communities in promoting inclusion, human rights, and social cohesion.

From fintech to digital public services, June 5th featured discussions on how technology is reshaping our lifestyles and everyday services. Luigi Traldi (Klarna) explored the evolution of digital payments, Matteo De Santi (Head of User Centricity & Innovation at PagoPA) will delved into the transformation of public digital services, and Francesco Ubertini (CINECA) provided insights into AI ecosystems. Closing the session, Enrico Cereda (IBM) offerd a strategic vision on global tech markets.

On June 5th, the WMF Mainstage featured Nello Cristianini, who explored how AI can enhance human experience and transcend the limits of natural intelligence. Valeria Sandei (Almawave) presented Velvet, a new artificial intelligence platform, while Marco Trombetti (Translated) highlighted the latest challenges in the field of machine translation. Intel also joined with an analysis of tech policies for AI-driven companies.

There were moments of entertainment and social reflection: the duo Karma B took to the stage with a drag show, while Denis Jarromil Roio delved into the theme of social hacking. Among the guests, Fabio Celenza brought his unmistakable satirical style, and Michela Giraud offerd her sharp and ironic take on contemporary language. A mix of art, irony, and digital awareness.

From Nobel Peace Prize laureate Riccardo Valentini to researcher Anna Valente, the third day of the WMF opened a space for reflection on the relationship between nature and technology, between artificial intelligence and robotics. Highlights included: “AI & Nature” with Valentini, “AI & Robotics: Improving Peoples” with Valente and Mingo Hoffman, and “Robot-Robot Interaction” with Daniele Pucci (IIT). On a more conceptual level, Luc Julia, co-creator of Siri, spoke in “AI Demystification”, while Francesca Rossi (IBM) addressed the ethical challenges of AI.

The Mainstage of WMF hosted founders, CEOs, and international leaders sharing their vision for the future of innovation and the global economy. Among them were Nino Cartabellotta, President of the GIMBE Foundation, Yuko Ishiwaka, Principal Investigator at SoftBank, and Nathan Francis, Head of Business Development at Aizip. Within this context, the Innovative Country of the Year was also awarded, one of the Festival’s key recognitions.

Alongside female entrepreneurship with chef Isabella Potì, the day explored unconventional leadership paths with Marcello Ascani, blending content creation and innovation. The performative segment featured live moments, including a DJ set by Samuel, a comedy show by Turbopaolo, and a final concert by Sarah Toscano.

Media and investigative journalism took center stage once again: Luciano Baglioni revisited the Uno Bianca Case, followed by writer and journalist Carlo Lucarelli. The session closed with current affairs coverage from Corrado Formigli, addressing the challenge of fake news, and Enrico Mentana, offered a reflection on the role of journalism in the age of digital disinformation.