Why and How Europe must Take Back Tomorrow: Innovation + Humanity! Gerd Leonhard 2026 Keynote Topic

The video argues that Europe must stop viewing the future as a product generated by Silicon Valley or China and instead recognize its own agency in shaping what comes next. The speaker highlights a troubling trend where the traditional American model of progress is fading, giving way to what is described as a "bad future" characterized by decline and inequality. In this context, Europe faces a demographic crisis with shrinking populations, as a significant portion of young people between 25 and 35 choose not to have children because they perceive their future prospects as bleak. This situation underscores the urgent need for Europe to reclaim ownership of its destiny rather than leaving it to external powers or accepting a trajectory defined by winner-takes-all dynamics that discard norms and laws. A central theme of the discussion is the evolving relationship between Europe and the United States, which the speaker describes as an amicable divorce rather than a hostile conflict. While this separation is painful, it presents an opportunity for Europe to establish itself as the moral center of tomorrow's developments. The transcript notes that 96% of Europe's IT budget currently flows to America, creating a dependency that threatens European sovereignty and humanistic values. To become truly sovereign, Europe must pivot away from this reliance and foster a pan-European vision where human flourishing is prioritized over the technological dominance seen in other regions. This shift requires acknowledging that while Americans may also be humanists, their emphasis differs significantly, and Europe needs to define its own path forward independently. The speaker emphasizes that the future is not something we merely observe but something we actively create through our actions, echoing the wisdom of futurist Barbara Hubbard. As Europe navigates this transition, it risks becoming a fragmented collection of nations resembling the "United States of Europe," a process driven by the changing tides in America and the internal realities of European decline. Despite the challenges and the illusion that others might solve these problems, the conclusion is clear: if Europe does not take back tomorrow today, no one else will. The call to action is for immediate engagement with innovation and humanity, ensuring that Europe leads the way in creating a future that serves its people rather than succumbing to external influences or internal despair.