Across winter and spring 2026, we’re bringing together leading thinkers, cultural figures and public voices for a series of in-person events tackling the ideas shaping our society right now.
From artificial intelligence and the future of public broadcasting to creativity, culture, feminism, disability and environmental security, these events are about grappling with the big questions of our time openly, critically, and in public.
Taking place in the Great Room, Minds in the Making: Humans, AI and the Future of Thought is a discussion with computational neuroscientist and experimental psychologist Professor Gaurav Suri. It explores what artificial intelligence may mean for human thinking, creativity and agency.
That is followed by a major discussion on AI and the media landscape in partnership with The Observer, examining the Global AI Index and its implications for journalists, power and public trust.
We are also hosting a headline event on The Future of the BBC, with Alan Rusbridger and Manveen Rana in conversation, chaired by Nina Nannar, exploring the challenges facing public service broadcasting at a moment of profound technological and political change.
Bart Fish & Power Tools of AI / Brain Control / Licenced by CC-BY
Alongside these flagship debates, the programme also includes:
The shape of 2026 – a major public briefing from More in Common and Purpose Union, revealing new data on the cultural and educational trends set to shape the year ahead.
Disinformation and democracy – a landmark discussion on the global information crisis and the collapse of shared reality in the age of AI.
Adrian Woolfson: on the future of species – explores how artificial intelligence and synthetic biology are reshaping life itself, while examining the ethical and ecological choices ahead.
John Harris in conversation on World Autism Awareness Day, discussing Maybe I’m Amazed, his moving account of music, fatherhood and neurodiversity.
Chornobyl at 40 – a panel marking the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, examining its legacy and what it continues to mean for European environmental security.
Genesis conversation – based on a new opera by Will Todd, with libretto by Sally Gardner, explores how creativity helps us process trauma, build resilience, and care for one another.
Coming soon! Prue Leith on ageing, confidence and reinvention – in a frank and joyful discussion, the former RSA Chair reflects on what later life has taught her about self-belief, ambition and letting go of expectations.
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