They saw a 46 percent increase in optimism from the people who were there
On 11th March 2025, Melanie hosted the “Co-Creating Anti-Dystopian Futures with GenAI”, an event uniquely combining future thinking, climate adaptation, and generative AI to create a positive vision of Sydney in 2035. The workshop aimed to shift the narrative from the usual doom and gloom associated with climate change to a more optimistic and solution-focused approach.
One of the key aspects of the workshop was its focus on climate adaptation rather than mitigation. While mitigation involves reducing emissions to slow down climate change, adaptation is about adjusting to the changes that are already happening and preparing for future impacts. This distinction was crucial for the participants to understand as they brainstormed over 500 concrete ideas for a climate-resilient Sydney.
Listen to “The Deep Dive”, an AI-generated podcast created by Google’s NotebookLM AI tool (14min)
Participants engaged in rapid ideation sessions, guided by experts like Melanie De Gioia, Lee Schofield, Arielle Breit. Dr. Arianna Brambilla from the University of Sydney also presented on their innovative work which helped embed the process of taking an idea through testing to market.
The workshop was successful in fostering optimism and ensuring that technological advancements are used to benefit people and the planet. Overall, the event showcased the power of collaborative brainstorming and innovative thinking in creating a sustainable and resilient future for Sydney.
