Founded and curated by visionary journalist Shoma Chaudhury, SYNAPSE is not just another technology conference. It is a unique amalgamation of global genius, a convergence of minds that spans Nobel Laureates, tech moguls, philosophers, artists, and more. The first-of-its-kind conference has a programme that promises to redefine the boundaries of public discourse. Set to unfold on February 24 and 25 at the Futures Hangar in Le Meridien, Gurugram, SYNAPSE 2024 aims to unravel the intricate tapestry of powerful forces shaping our world, dissecting the impact of innovations such as AI, gene editing, age reversal, big data, and quantum computing on every aspect of our lives.

Shoma Chaudhury, Director-Curator of SYNAPSE, capturing the essence of the conference, says, “Science and tech is literally the new ‘hand of god’ in our lives. From birth to death itself, it is reshaping everything while we sleep. We cannot afford not to engage, celebrate, adapt, debate.” The urgency of this engagement is underscored by Rajan Anandan, MD of Peak XV Partners, a prominent tech investor, who lauds SYNAPSE as a "first-of-its-kind conference in India – possibly the world."

The stellar lineup of speakers at SYNAPSE echoes this and clearly shows its unparalleled status in the realm of science and tech conferences. Nobel Laureate Roger Kornberg, known for his ground-breaking contributions to the vaccine revolution, will share insights alongside luminaries like Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Winner; Michael Sandel, the legendary Harvard political philosopher; and Rumman Chowdhury, a tech ethicist named by Forbes as one of the five shaping artificial intelligence. This eclectic mix of minds promises to deliver a weekend of life-altering perspectives.

As SYNAPSE bridges the gap between science, technology, and society, it positions itself as a transdisciplinary gathering of global genius. Lawyers, ethicists, philosophers, policymakers, economists, educationists, security experts, artists, writers, disruptors, AI designers, entrepreneurs, geneticists, virologists, scientists, and cosmologists—this diverse array of thought leaders will engage in a 360-degree inquiry into inventions, opportunities, impacts, implications, ethics, problems, and solutions.

Why India? The conference recognises India as a strategic venue due to its size, impact, and voice on the global stage. With one-sixth of humanity, a median age of 29, and 25 per cent of the world’s working population, India is a key player in the global challenges and solutions of the 21st century. SYNAPSE aims to make India the epicentre for big ideas, hot debates, and countervoices.

The agenda for SYNAPSE is exciting. Day one kicks off with boundary-breaking discussions on biohacking and gene editing, featuring Elizabeth Parrish, a biohacker and longevity entrepreneur who says, “I’d risk any outcome—even my own death—to move science forward.” The day unfolds with tech mavericks like Sridhar Vembu, a bootstrap billionaire revolutionising tech with village talent, and deep debates on AI's impact on human creativity, the future of work, and the science of psychedelics.

Day two continues the exploration with discussions on spirituality and science, the intersection of AI and human futures, and the role of Indians in driving innovation. The conference delves into the unknowns of the cosmos, the implications of India's tech transformation, and the integration of technology with well-being, national security, and quantum technology. The event culminates in riveting debates on the Anthropocene, the biology of attention, and the alignment of tech with humanity, featuring notable speakers like Lt. Gen. M.U. Nair and Eric Daimler.

SYNAPSE is an immersive experience that includes spotlight sessions on mythology and tech, a slice of life on AI and children, and a celebration of heroes of science like Roger Kornberg, the Nobel Laureate. Each day concludes with a mix of intellectual conversations, cocktails, dinner, and music, providing an ideal setting for the cross-pollination of ideas.

In a world hurtling towards unprecedented technological advancements, SYNAPSE 2024 focuses on educated enlightenment, aiming to create a shared understanding of the promise and peril of science and technology. As the conference unfolds, it promises to be a pivotal moment where global genius converges, ideas collide, and the future is actively shaped by the collective brilliance of minds gathered.

SYNAPSE 2024 will be on at the Futures Hangar in Le Meridien, Gurgaon from February 24 to 25.

Synapse Conclave 2024 focuses on science, technology and society, exploring the exciting and troubling implications of age reversal, gene editing and big data. STIR as an amplification partner brings you a series of conversations from the lineup that warrant further reflection.