Two major gatherings are coming up in January: DLD in Munich and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Both bring together leaders who shape how technology, culture, and policy evolve. Members of the Sustainable Media Center community will be involved at both events, representing youth advocacy, research, product leadership, and civic tech.
At DLD in Munich
DLD has become a place where people try to make sense of how technology intersects with society. This year, SMC will be represented across multiple fronts:
• Emma Lembke, SMC’s Director of Gen Z Advocacy, will be engaging media and policy audiences on youth mental health and social media reform.
• Bradley Horowitz, product leader and investor, will weigh in on AI, platform design, and creator ecosystems.
• Raffi Krikorian, CTO at Mozilla and longtime leader in civic tech and democratic infrastructure, will be speaking on open AI, public interest tech, and governance.
• Daniel Gerlei, researcher and funder, will participate in sessions and side meetings focused on technology and civic impact.
It is a strong cross-section of SMC voices, spanning lived experience, platform engineering, and research. Themes at DLD this year are expected to focus on AI, governance, mental health, and public trust.
At Davos
Davos brings a different mix, with a heavier concentration of policy thinkers, philanthropists, academics, and corporate leaders. Members of the SMC network will be present through research, media, and cultural work:
• Jonathan Haidt, whose research on adolescence and social media continues to influence regulation and public health debates.
• Adele Zeynep Walton, a young Turkish-British journalist and commentator on capitalism, politics, and digital culture.
• Katherine Chownowska De Lubiczy, who works at the intersection of philanthropy, cultural institutions, and emerging technology.
Why this matters for SMC
Our mission sits at the intersection of technology, youth mental health, and democratic culture. DLD and Davos create opportunities to advance the conversation with people who control platforms, shape policy, allocate funding, and influence public opinion. They are also places where youth voices and public health perspectives are often missing, making our community’s involvement both relevant and necessary.
The thematic shift this year is noticeable. Last cycle was dominated by questions about AI acceleration. This year there is more focus on standards, mental health, legitimacy, and governance. That aligns directly with SMC’s work and reflects a broader recognition of the social consequences of technology.
