Wide range of expert speakers slated to speak at two-day event at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) will bring together over 110 international digital experts from more than 20 countries including tech entrepreneurs, CEOs, and academics for two days on May 22 and 23 under the theme of “Confronting the Digital Paradox.”
The goal of the event is to ignite profound discussions on the critical intersection of technology and society.
With a focus on navigating the digital crossroads we face today, Ithra’s Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024 poses a fundamental question: Do we possess the power to ensure that technology serves us, rather than the other way around?
What is Sync?
Sync is a digital well-being initiative that aims to raise awareness by translating research-based insights about the influence of technology on individuals' lives into accessible resources, tools, programs, and initiatives. Its objective is to cultivate a movement that reshapes the interaction with technology, prioritizes well-being, and advocates for a harmonious coexistence with the ever-changing digital landscape.
In its packed agenda, the summit will feature over 70 speakers delivering keynote speeches, panel discussions, podcasts, a Majlis conducted in partnership with Johns Hopkins, along with other engaging activities that explore strategies to ensure technology enhances wellbeing rather than detracting from it.
Key themes include promoting sustainable technology use, fostering digital balance, and advocating social responsibility concerning our digital footprints.
Wadha Al Nafjan, Ithra’s head of Digital Wellbeing (Sync) said this year’s summit “is not just another conference.”
“It's a platform for meaningful discussions, critical reflections, and collective actions for a better digital future. As we navigate the digital paradox, it is vital to recognize our responsibility in shaping the world we want to live in.”
— Wadha Al Nafjan
On May 21, a day ahead of the summit, the Global Digital Wellbeing Assembly will introduce a global society focused on promoting positive changes in relationship with technology. Additionally, the Sync Summit will include the worldwide Gen Alpha Forum, an initiative by Sync Research in collaboration with McCann Worldgroup, that aims to engage Saudi parents, educators, and other stakeholders in discussions about the younger generation's relationship with technology.
Ithra’s Sync will again feature an impressive list of speakers for the upcoming Digital Wellbeing Summit.
A Prestigious Lineup
Notable speakers at the summit this year include:
- José Mourinho, legendary football manager
- Michael Rich, founding director of the Digital Wellness Lab
- Mo Gawdat, best-selling author and former chief business officer of Google X
- Rumman Chowdhury, U.S. science envoy, artificial intelligence CEO and co-founder of Human Intelligence
- Abdulaziz Alshehri, athlete, sports brand ambassador, FIFAe World Cup winner, and eSports team owner
- Elizabeth Milovidov, founder of Digital Parenting Coach
- Joanne Orlando, researcher, author, and presenter
- John Hagel, CEO of Beyond Our Edge LLC
- Kevin Kelly, founder and senior maverick at WIRED magazine
- Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, and Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders
- Oli Barrett, director of Connector Unit
- Sara Robin, film director of Your Attention Please
- Shahroo Izadi, behavior change specialist and author
- Vicki Davis, author of Cool Cat Teacher, host of 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, and classroom teacher.
For more information on Ithra’s Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit, please visit https://www.sync.ithra.com.
— The Arabian Sun: May 17, 2024