Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024 – Factsheet

Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024 – Factsheet

About Sync

Sync is a digital well-being initiative launched by King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). The program aims to help citizens across the world understand and improve their digital wellbeing. To achieve this, Sync focuses on three complementary pillars: original research on digital harms and mitigation strategies; awareness building on the importance of digital wellbeing; and engagement to drive positive change locally, regionally, and globally. By becoming a dedicated space for this important topic, Sync hopes to create a common ground for responsible technology consumption, encourage cross-cultural research and knowledge-sharing, and actively support constant progress.

About Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024
 

Located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, at Ithra, the Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024 is themed around "Confronting the Digital Paradox." This summit aims to inspire contemplation, dialogue, and actionable steps toward ensuring collective responsibility in harnessing digital technology for the betterment of humanity and the preservation of its future.

The summit will include key panel discussions, various engaging activities, and the opportunity to communicate with experts. It focuses on promoting the sustainable use of technology, fostering digital balance, and encouraging social responsibility in individuals and organisations regarding their digital footprint.
 

Main theme: Confronting the Digital Paradox
Location: Ithra, Dhahran, KSA
Date: 22-23 May, 2024 (2 Days)
 

The Objectives of the Summit

• Inspire reflection on the impact of digital technology on people and society.
• Raise awareness about the importance of digital wellbeing and responsible technology use.
• Foster collaboration and collective action towards ensuring that digital technology serves humanity’s wellbeing.
• Showcase innovative solutions and best practices for promoting digital balance and social responsibility.
• Provide a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in the field of digital wellbeing.

Theme and Summit Pillars

Confronting the Digital Paradox
The summit seeks to address the digital paradox; it describes it as “the feeling that technology makes life easier and more complex at the same time”. This paradox is evident in phenomena such as information overload, social isolation, and memory impairment, which will be explored during the summit. By uncovering strategies to navigate these challenges, the summit aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding technology's impact on wellbeing and modern life.

Day 1: Cuts Both Ways – Wrestling with the tensions of the digital era.
 

Day 2: A Digital Renaissance – Shaping our relationship with digital for a better future.

Notable Speakers

Summit Experiences:

Global Digital Wellbeing Assembly

Preceding the Summit, the Global Digital Wellbeing Assembly on May 21 will introduce a global digital wellbeing society that will become a driving force for positive change in our relationship with technology. As well as defining the guiding objectives and roadmap of this society, the meeting will also seek input from attendees on the shape of an associated annual publication-bearing conference on digital wellbeing. This conference will bridge the gap between academic research, industry practices, and end-users regarding digital wellbeing. 

Main Conference

A central plenary space hosting the summit’s opening ceremony and immersive performance, bringing to life “Confronting the Digital Paradox.” The program formally begins with an opening address from Abdullah Alrashid (Director, Ithra Center), followed by keynote speeches, panel discussions and fireside chats. Guests will be able to interact and engage with expert speakers and content via live polling, voting and Q&A.

Sync Spotlight

A series of dynamic sessions running in parallel to the two-day Sync Summit stage program, offering greater interaction between speakers and audience. Formats include debates, moderated discussions and tech showcases. The Sync Spotlight series concludes with an audience with creative influncer, Omar Farooq, and a special screening of his new documentary: “The Dark Side of Japan.”

Sync Action Forum

The worldwide Gen Alpha Forum, an initiative developed by Sync Research with McCann Worldgroup, comes to Saudi Arabia. The Sync Summit edition will see the community expand to include Saudi parents of Gen Alpha children, as well as educators and other Gen Alpha stakeholders.

Majlis Intervention Mapping Sessions

In partnership with Johns Hopkins, the Majlis will host three focused sessions exploring different aspects of digital wellbeing with educators, researchers and students.

Sync’s K Hub

An interactive activation in the Plaza. A gamified dive into the work and findings of the Sync Research team through the lens of three groundbreaking projects, developed with key partners: Horizon Group, PSB and McCann Worldgroup.

Sync Immersive

Just like humans, technologies must undergo a learning process to enhance their intelligence and better serve humanity. However, striking a balance between the remarkable benefits of AI and digital advancements and the need to safeguard personal privacy and uphold ethical standards has proven to be a formidable challenge. In this interactive journey, we provide a three-step experience designed to impact participant's emotions and understanding as we help them navigate the complexities of digital ethics and how to make informed decisions. A universally engaging and educational experience that will resonate deeply with every attendee of the Sync Summit. It's an invitation to a journey that is as informative as it is emotive, tailored to leave a lasting impression on all.

Podcast

The booth experience will serve both as a dynamic podcast studio to record the podcast episodes hosted by Mo Gawdat.