2026 Theme
In 2025, we asked what it means to reimagine human intelligence – exploring how humans and machines think, create and work together.
As human and machine intelligence begin to blend, a new reality emerges: contradiction.
This is what comes next in 2026.
We now find ourselves surrounded by paradoxes that are too critical to ignore. Automation is increasing while human agency is tested; systems are scaling as trust, care and meaning are stretched, and innovation continues to outpace our ability to understand or govern it effectively.
These tensions are no longer theoretical. They are shaping our organisations, our systems and our personal lives.
Shaping the paradox era is a call to move beyond rethinking and into building.
It asks us to sit with opposing ideas – even when uncomfortable – long enough to shape a way forward that doesn’t require choosing one at the expense of the other.
This is the work of our time – to build a future that can hold complexity and deliver progress without losing agency and humanity.
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Something Fest acknowledges the First Nations People of the land on which we live and work, and recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We also pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Sustainability and impact will always be at the core of what we do and we hold ourselves to the highest global standard
Sustainability and impact will always be at the core of what we do and we hold ourselves to the highest global standard
