The Future, by Design. Not by Default. Join the first International ‘CRAFTing Human-Tech-Society’ Conference at Wrocław Tech!

We stand at a pivotal moment in history where the lines between our daily lives, rapid technological growth, and the rules of society are blurring. Are we in control of these changes, or are they simply happening to us? This April, Faculty of Management, Wrocław University of Science and Technology is inviting us to find the answer together.

From April 13–17, 2026, Wrocław will host the first-ever International Conference on CRAFTing Human–Tech–Society (iCHTS). This is not just another academic gathering; it is a groundbreaking summit organized by the newly launched CRAFT (Collaboratory for Responsible and Future Technologies) at the Faculty of Management, Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

“We are bringing together the bright minds from science, the bold leaders from business, and the influential voices from politics to one table,” say A/Prof. Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska (The Dean of the Faculty of Management) and Dr. Yash Chawla (Head of CRAFT and organizer of the conference). “But the most important seat is reserved for you. We invite the residents of Wrocław to join this global discussion and help us craft the world we want to live in. Whether you are a student, a business leader, or a curious citizen, your voice is essential in crafting a future where technology serves us all.”

A Fusion of Three Worlds

The iCHTS conference is unique because it intentionally breaks down “silos,” bringing science, business, and politics into the same room. Supported by the prestigious Academia Europaea Wrocław Hub, the Centre for National and International Relations and the Students’ Union at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the conference is held in conjunction with the Erasmus+ International Staff Week, this event turns Wrocław into an epicentre for discussions on responsible innovation. Rather than listening to dry lectures, attendees will experience a cross-disciplinary exchange to ensure technology is developed by design, not by default.

The Agenda: A Week of Action

The conference is structured to move from theory to reality across five days:

April 13: Pre-conference Workshops – Setting the foundation with hands-on sessions on taking Science to Society.
April 14: CRAFT inspiratiON – The public experience of interacting with panelists from various backgrounds, a day of “Living Labs” and interactive technology booths – led by the Students’ Union.
April 14–16: Keynote sessions and Thematic Sessions – Experts will tackle the metrics to measure societal impact of innovations, social simulations for innovation, the journey of taking science from the lab to the market, responsible innovation and so on.
April 16: CRAFT 180: Projects to Impact – A high-speed competition where Master’s and PhD students will have just 180 seconds to prove why their work matters to society. Best Master and PhD students will be awarded.
April 17: CRAFT B.E.E.R. – An informal brainstorming session (Brainstorming & Exchange for Ethical Recommendations) focused on future readiness and policy.

Global Minds on the Wrocław Stage

The prestige of the event is underscored by an elite lineup of international speakers, including:

Michal Adamski (Applied Innovation Exchange, Capgemini), an expert helping global organizations identify, test, and implement emerging technologies to drive sustainable growth.
Monika Byrtek (AI Futures Lab, Capgemini), an AI Philosopher and an expert work in the area of Ethics of technology and innovation.
Jennifer Cassingena Harper, PhD (Xjenza Malta), who leads European committees on equality and societal impact in research.
Prof. Christina Garsten (Uppsala University, Sweden), a titan of social anthropology and Principal of the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study, who explores how global organizations shape our world.
Prof. Luke Georghiou (University of Manchester, UK), a world-leading expert in science policy and innovation management.
Dominika Kawala (3M Wroclaw Superhub Director), a key voice in industry-driven education and innovation.
Jakub Mazur (City of Wrocław), Deputy Mayor of a city renowned for its dynamic business environment and spirit of innovation.
Kamil Pruchnik, PhD (European Investment Fund (EIF)), Senior regional representative for Poland and a European level expert in investment Policy.
Joanna Sterzynska-Lindberg (European Commission Regional Representation in Wrocław), an expert in EU policy coordination, interinstitutional relations, and strategic communication.
Tomasz Szarek (SDZLEGAL Schindhelm), a legal expert in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and Intellectual Property.
Prof. Katarzyna Sznajd-Weron (Wrocław Tech), a pioneer in computational social science who uses physics to understand how societies change.
James Wilson (AI Futures Lab, Capgemini), an AI Ethicist and lead architect helping giants navigate the ethical minefield of GenAI.

Why This Matters Now

Topics like responsible innovation, AI ethics, and societal impact are no longer just for experts, they affect every job, school, and household. CRAFT aims to equip leaders and citizens alike with the tools to navigate the digital age with integrity.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Participate for FREE

In the spirit of inclusion, key elements of the conference are free of charge for the public:

CRAFT inspiratiON (April 14): Living Lab and face-to-face sessions with student innovation and creators at Building D-20.
CRAFT 180 (April 15): Watch the exciting competition in the historic Aula (Building A-1).
Keynotes & Panel Discussions (14-16 April): A limited number of seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to register: Anyone can sign up via the official registration portal. For free sessions, simply select the “CRAFT inspiratiON”, “CRAFT 180” or “Public Keynote” paths. No fee is required, but registration is mandatory to manage capacity. Participation in the event will be recognized with an official, personalized certificate of attendance, documenting engagement in this global debate on the future of technology.

Full details & registration: https://craft.pwr.edu.pl/event/international-conference-on-crafting-human-tech-society/