How art, AI and ecology will intersect at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025

At the World Economic Forum's next Annual Meeting of the New Champions, to be held in Tianjin, China from 24-26 June 2025, the arts and culture exhibitions will provide a captivating look into the evolution of creativity in the digital age. These exhibitions break the boundaries of traditional art forms, challenging conventional perspectives on intelligence, identity and the intersection of technology and humanity.

By integrating ecological concerns with groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive media, the exhibitions foster a dynamic dialogue on the evolving relationship between humans, nature and technology, offering a thought-provoking vision for the future.

Renowned artists Thijs Biersteker and Ronen Tanchum present thought-provoking installations, each offering deep insight into contemporary issues. Biersteker’s work harnesses cutting-edge technology to explore biological systems, creating immersive environments highlighting the intricate balance between nature and artificial life. Tanchum's installation examines the intersections of heritage, identity and human connectivity, exploring how digital advancements transform our understanding of culture and history.

Together, these thought-provoking pieces underscore the transformative power of art to challenge conventional thinking and spark meaningful conversations about the implications of an evolving digital and ecological landscape. These exhibitions powerfully reinforce art’s pivotal role in navigating the ethical and philosophical challenges of our modern world.

Acclaimed environmental artist Biersteker redefines immersive art with his groundbreaking installation Fungal Faculty. Powered by AI, the work masterfully integrates ecological themes with the fascinating world of mycelium networks. Through this innovative piece, Biersteker challenges conventional ideas of intelligence, urging a fresh perspective on our relationship with technology and nature.

Fungal Faculty merges the ancient, interconnected networks of mycelium with the cutting-edge advancements of AI, blurring the line between human and machine intelligence. Developed in collaboration with Professor A.E. Eiben’s Computational Intelligence research group and inspired by the Broadermind course at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the installation creates an intriguing fusion of two seemingly distinct worlds: the time-honoured ecological systems of mycelium and the ever-advancing AI technologies that increasingly shape our lives.

What sets Fungal Faculty apart is its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The installation incorporates recycled steel, 3D-printed fungal elements and an AI-controlled grid of lights powered by depth sensors, offering not just an aesthetic experience, but a powerful statement on the potential of integrating ecological consciousness with technological progress. The design serves as an artistic display and a reminder of how sustainability and cutting-edge innovation can coexist.

The installation’s most compelling feature lies in its ability to shift human perception. Initially, the installation mirrors the participant’s actions, creating a sense of engagement. As the interaction progresses, however, the AI gradually takes control, subtly guiding the user’s movements and behaviours. This transition serves as a metaphor for how technology increasingly influences human decisions and actions. Biersteker invites participants to reconsider the notion of human intelligence, presenting a world where artificial and biological intelligence can coexist and shape our behaviours in surprising ways.

Fungal Faculty stands as a provocative commentary on the intersection of technology, nature and human agency. It challenges audiences to rethink the boundaries between artificial and organic systems and encourages a deeper exploration of how these forces will influence our future.

In a world where the boundaries between technology and nature are increasingly difficult to define, Tanchum’s AI-powered installation Seeds of Tomorrow offers an immersive, forward-thinking exploration of how these two realms can coexist. This cutting-edge experience blends ecological principles with the latest advancements in generative AI, offering a unique opportunity for participants to shape a living, digital organism that mirrors the organic growth of life itself.

The installation leverages real-time motion tracking and generative algorithms to create a dynamic, personalized experience. Using depth sensors, it captures participant movements, turning them into stimuli that drive the ecosystem’s ongoing evolution.

Powered by a real-time AI diffusion model, the system adapts to each interaction, creating a unique and evolving virtual landscape, from meadows and forests to sustainable urban environments where nature and technology seamlessly integrate. The installation emphasizes biophilic design, showcasing the convergence of architecture, nature and cutting-edge technology, such as data centres cooled by tropical jungles and offices flourishing with greenery.

Seeds of Tomorrow provides a forward-looking vision where technology and ecology work in tandem to drive a more sustainable future. By encouraging reflection on humanity’s evolving relationship with technology and nature, the installation fosters a dialogue on the future of innovation and sustainability. It highlights the potential for industries to thrive while evolving in a way that ensures a harmonious balance between progress and ecological responsibility.

The works of Biersteker and Tanchum challenge conventional views on intelligence, sustainability and the ethical implications of technological progress. Their installations foster a dialogue on the balance between ecological preservation and technological advancement, urging a shift towards innovation that prioritizes both progress and long-term planetary well-being.

By exploring the intersection of nature and technology, these exhibitions emphasize the potential for a harmonious future where both can thrive together. Their work calls on industries, policymakers and individuals to adopt a sustainable approach to development, ensuring that technological growth aligns with ecological responsibility.