Fireside Chat: Freedom, Innovation, and Prosperity in the Digital Age

We live in a time when artificial intelligence, digital platforms, automation, and emerging technologies are transforming industries faster than ever before. Yet despite unprecedented technological progress, fundamental questions remain: Why do some countries consistently create breakthrough innovations while others struggle to keep pace? Why do certain cities become global startup hubs while others fail to attract talent and investment? And what role do entrepreneurs, institutions, and public policy play in shaping long-term prosperity?

Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Dr. Zoltán Cséfalvay, economist, geographer, former Secretary of State for Strategy at Hungary's Ministry of National Economy, former Ambassador to UNESCO and the OECD, and author of Freedom, Innovation, Prosperity: The Secrets of Success in the Digital Era. Drawing from decades of experience in economics, public policy, international cooperation, and innovation research, Dr. Cséfalvay explores the forces that drive technological progress and economic success in an increasingly digital world.

He will be joined by Ahmad Piraiee, entrepreneur, venture builder, startup ecosystem leader, and international innovation advisor. Together, they will discuss the ideas behind the book and explore how innovation ecosystems are built, why startups matter, what Europe can learn from leading technology hubs around the world, and how societies can turn technological disruption into economic opportunity.

The conversation will touch on topics such as creative destruction, entrepreneurship, venture capital, artificial intelligence, the future of work, and the growing competition between regions seeking to lead the next wave of innovation. Particular attention will be given to Europe's position in the global innovation landscape and the conditions required for founders, researchers, investors, universities, and policymakers to work together in creating sustainable growth.

At its core, this discussion is about a simple but powerful question: What creates prosperity in the twenty-first century? Is it talent? Capital? Technology? Institutions? Or is it the freedom to experiment, compete, fail, and try again?

Whether you are a founder building a startup, an investor seeking the next opportunity, a corporate leader navigating transformation, a policymaker shaping economic strategy, or simply someone curious about the future, this session will offer valuable insights into the relationship between freedom, innovation, and prosperity,  and what it will take to thrive in the age of AI.

Expect a dynamic conversation that combines economic thinking, real-world examples, entrepreneurial lessons, and practical insights for anyone interested in the future of innovation.