Hosted in the Aula der Wissenschaften, a beautifully restored 17th-century Jesuit building in the heart of Vienna, this year’s summit will welcome 1,000 international participants: visionaries, founders, artists, investors, cultural institutions, and policymakers, all united by a bold ambition to reimagine the future at the intersection of culture and technology. 

Organised by the CultTech Association, the driving force behind the rapidly expanding CultTech field, the 2025 Summit promises two immersive days of creative ideas, radical collaboration, and transformative dialogue - where tradition meets disruption, and the past inspires the future.

Catalyst for creativity, access & social change

At a time when digital transformation is reshaping every facet of society, the CultTech Summit offers a unique space to explore how emerging technologies influence creative and cultural industries, and vice versa. The two-day program is built around three key pillars: Tech for Cultural Impact, Sustainable Revenue Models for Culture, and Democratising Culture. From AI’s growing influence on the EU cultural agenda to reimagining museum engagement, from sustainable investment in the arts to new models of digital access, this year’s program will challenge industry norms and spotlight the most pressing questions shaping the global culture-tech ecosystem.

“Technology doesn’t evolve in isolation - it’s shaped, challenged, and inspired by the culture around it. At CultTech, we believe culture influences technology just as much - if not more - than technology influences culture. The CultTech Summit exists to ignite bold conversations and collaborations where tech innovation meets cultural purpose and impact”, says Marc Brandsma, CEO, CultTech Association.

What to Expect in 2025

Over 70+ speakers will take the stage, including policymakers, tech pioneers, venture investors, artists, and institutional leaders. Highlights of the 2025 program include:

Art & Culture

• Heiner Goebbels – Renowned theatre director and composer (Germany)
• Katerina Cizek – Director & Co-Founder, MIT Open Documentary Lab (USA)
• Simon Husslein – Designer and founder of Atelier Simon Husslein (Switzerland)
• Jonathan Fine – General Director, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Austria)

Investors, Funds & Business

• Laura Callanan – Founding Partner, Upstart Co-Lab (USA)
• Tamar Guttmann – Impact Producer & Executive Director, CUE (Netherlands)
• Adama Sanneh – Co-Founder & CEO, Moleskine Foundation (Italy)
• Brendan Ciecko – Founder of Museum, a digital platform for cultural institutions (USA)

Science, Research & Other

• Prof. Sir Konstantin “Kostya” Novoselov FRS - Physicist, Artist, Nobel Laureate (UK/Singapore)
• Adriano Picinati di Torcello – Director and Global Art & Finance Coordinator at Deloitte (Luxembourg)

Enabling attendees to actively shape the agenda

One of the defining features of CultTech Summit is its Community-Driven Program - a unique initiative that underscores the event’s openness and collaborative spirit. This opportunity invites Summit participants to propose and host their own Roundtables, offering a dynamic platform for peer-led dialogue, idea exchange, and grassroots innovation. By enabling attendees to actively shape the agenda, CultTech Summit reinforces its commitment to community involvement and co-creation at every level of the event experience.

Art Meets Innovation: The CultTech Artistic Program

What makes the CultTech Summit truly stand out is its Artistic Program as a bold and immersive expression of the CultTech ethos. Here, creativity is not an afterthought but a driving force. From visual artists and theatre-makers to experimental musicians, educators, and researchers, the program showcases voices working at the intersection of culture and innovation. Highlights include:

• A special collaboration with the Digital Arts Department at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (Die Angewandte) – Student Award and Exhibition
• A “Drone” Theatre Production in partnership with Voices Festival Berlin
• A showcase of CultTech Residency sound, dance, and game productions, co-created with Sony CSL, vrisch, and Artivive
• “End of Life” – immersive storytelling VR project exploring themes of mortality and digital empathy

CultTech Global Expo: Exhibition at the core of Summit

The CultTech Global Expo is an integral part of the Summit and will bring together 40 partners showcasing their work, ranging from cutting-edge startups like Artivive, Histify, as well as companies such as Orpheo, Tonwelt, MuseArta, Frank Europe, to renowned cultural institutions. This diverse setup highlights the growing momentum of the CultTech ecosystem, while providing exhibitors with the opportunity to present their solutions to industry leaders and innovators, and connect with a curated network of C-level executives and top decision-makers across culture and technology.