It is up to us what future we let technology create

The idea that technology saves us time doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll use it better. But how do we respond to the increasing pressure to optimize our lives?

Shorter working hours, automation, and smart technologies promise to free up our hands and give us more free time. But what happens when we gain this new time? German economist Matthias Sinnemann, through a study examining the introduction of a four-day workweek in dozens of German organizations, showed at this year’s forum, that “the main motivation for these organizations was to increase their attractiveness on the job market” (among other things). This change also led to a significant decrease in stress. The four-day workweek has thus become not only a tool for productivity, but also a means of improving quality of life.

Sociologist Thorsten Peetz pointed out how smart technologies are changing our decision-making and our values. They make choices easier for us, but often come at the cost of losing depth and reflection skills. Swiping right has become a symbol of the desire for acceptance and recognition, however, Peetz invites us to consider whether these simplifications really lead to better decision-making.

Helen Hester and Nick Srnicek provided a fundamental vision: a quality life requires not only more time, but also the support of care. “The future is not in automation, but in supporting caring professions,” they emphasized. Caring for others – and for ourselves – is an area that technology cannot replace. How we manage our free time is a key issue for both individuals and society.

What to take from this?

Technology may save us time, but it doesn't teach us how to use it. To make free time lead to a better life, we need to rethink what work, rest, and relationships mean to us. The key question is not how much time we have, but how we manage it – for ourselves, for others, and for society.

Nature as inspiration for technology, culture and survival

Forests are not just a bunch of trees, but above all complex ecosystems that can teach us how to function in an interconnected world. Juraj Lukáč from the unique forest conservation association VLK illustrated how “nature cultivates forests completely differently than humans.” According to him, forests function as a whole – a system where each element influences the others. His fascinating comparison – “the forest was the prototype of the Internet” – shows that forest ecosystems can also be a source of inspiration for our technologies. According to him, forest protection should not only be a moral obligation but also a concrete strategy: “We want the state to declare that 10% of Slovakia’s territory will be mandatorily free from interference. And I think we are on the right track.”

Cheryl Maloney, a representative of the Indigenous peoples of today’s Canada, added to this point. She pointed out that nature is not only a source of materials, but also of cultural identity. “The Mi’kmaq have had hockey for 700 years. The proof of that is in the trees, in their roots, from which they made the first hockey sticks,” she said, emphasizing the connection of Canada’s Indigenous people to the local environment. This connection has allowed the Mi’kmaq to stay grounded in their roots, resist the privatization and exploitation of natural resources, and demonstrate that we get more from forests than just wood.

Jakub Hruška brought the perspective of change over time into the debate on conservation: “Central Europe has been using the forest for thousands of years only for its own benefit. However, today we are at a point where we know that this model of exploitation can no longer work,” he warned. According to him, it is necessary to reflect knowledge about sustainability in laws, otherwise we will lose the valuable ecosystems that support us.

Key takeaways from this.

Forests teach us long-term thinking and cooperation. They are an example of how to function in an interconnected world, where each element affects the whole. When we protect forests, we protect not only nature, but also our culture and future. Protecting nature is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Immunity as the key to understanding a connected world

The immune system is not just a line of defense against disease, but an interconnection of processes in the body and a reflection of our role in the world. Martin Zach, in his philosophical view of immunity, emphasized that “the immune system is not just a defense system. It is the background to a whole range of other processes in our body.” Immunity is therefore not only about fighting pathogens, but also about restoration and balance in the body.

This complex interconnectedness shows that immunity is not just a biological issue, but also a philosophical one, as philosopher Timothy Morton pointed out: “To be alive is to have a permeable boundary of the body.” Morton argued that life is not about absolute protection, but about being open to the world and learning from the stimuli that shape us. It is this permeability and adaptability that are essential for survival – not only at the individual level, but also at the societal level.

A dramatic personal perspective was brought by Adam Hrubý, who shared his experiences with the long-term consequences of Covid. “The pandemic has never ended. If you can, don’t use the word pandemic in the past tense. It is hurtful for us, for whom Covid will be a lifelong struggle, and it is dangerous for those who will still meet the same fate,” he appealed. The performer and designer emphasized that health protection doesn’t just involve strengthening individual immunity, but also building a system that creates a safe environment. His concept of “safe air” emphasizes prevention as a key element of public health – from clean air to community support.

What to take from this?

Immunity is not just about fighting disease; it is about the interconnectedness of body, mind, and environment. Taking care of immunity means not only taking care of your own health, but also creating conditions in which everyone can thrive. Sustainability, responsibility, cooperation, and openness to the world are the keys to a healthier future for us and for the planet.

Technology does not guarantee peace – it can even threaten it

War is one of the oldest human phenomena, but modern technologies bring new layers of complexity. They promise more effective and “cleaner” conflicts, but the reality is often the opposite. Political scientist Pavel Barša pointed out that technological advancement sometimes brings more problems than solutions: “Israel has undermined its own security for decades to come with its technological advancement.” Even the most modern armies cannot eliminate the suffering of civilians, and instead of building security, they often only leave deep wounds that radicalize new generations and fuel further violence and conflict.

Norwegian researcher Siri Aas Rustad offered a broader context. She noted that “we have the highest number of conflicts since 1945, but we are also seeing an increase in their complexity.” Today’s wars are not just about battles, but about social and political problems that persist long after the fighting ends. Technology can bring precision, but real peace requires much more – addressing the root causes of conflict. She calls this principle “positive peace.”

These questions were complemented by personal testimonies from civilians who recalled the human aspect of war. Personal stories were shared by Ruwaida Kamal Amer from Gaza and Fatma Mohamed from Sudan. Their accounts show how war destroys not only the present, but also the future. “Children have lost not only their education, but also their childhood – sometimes even their own parents,” Ruwaida Kamal Amer described the devastating impact of conflict on the youngest generation. Fatma Mohamed from Sudan added that peace cannot be achieved through political agreements alone. “If we do not help communities to accept and understand each other, peace in Sudan will never come,” she warned.

But hope was brought by Belarusian artist Rufina Bázlová, who showed that even in times of conflict, art can be a tool of resistance and solidarity: “Belarusian embroidery comes from the word vyžyvat, which in Belarusian means to survive.” By creating works that connect tradition and current events, it is possible to give a voice to those who would otherwise remain silenced.

What to take from this?

Neither technology nor forceful interventions guarantee peace. If we want to truly resolve conflicts, we must seek solutions not only on the battlefields, but by focusing on the people who suffer, the communities, and the social causes that fuel wars. Art, collaboration, and forgiveness may be traditional, but they remain key to overcoming divisions and finding a shared future in sustainable peace.

We enjoyed the podcasts, and so did you. Listen to the ones you missed.

Every evening, we recorded one of the popular Czech podcasts in front of a live (and always large!) audience. You can listen to some of them on your favorite platforms:

• Studio N: You can also relax with Instagram, but there's a catch. How do you turn off your mind these days?
• System error: We are still reaping the fruits of the 1990s, we were silent about the negatives of the transformation, says historian Gjuričová
• 5:59: True crime is a big hit on screen. Where is the ethical line?
• Jaws: Is the bigger monster the wrestling promoter or the Russian tough guy eating Kim Jong-un?
• Heroine Voice: On Stress Being Okay, with Julia Dobrovolna

What did this year teach us?

This year's Inspiration Forum reminded us that the search for a better life does not begin with finding guaranteed answers, but with asking new questions. What does it mean to have more time? How can we learn from nature? What is our responsibility towards health, society, and the planet? The Inspiration Forum 2024 was more than just a discussion. It was, above all, a place where seniors and freelancers, students and entrepreneurs, artists and technicians, philosophers and politicians all met. We are proud that we managed to create a real space for people from different bubbles to meet this year – a space now being called for across all levels of society, in every environment, and in all corners of the world.