Var Group at Locarno: Technology, Culture and Digital Art on the Same Stage

6th August 2025

“Reality or Fiction? The Potential of Digital Technology for Society and Culture” was more than just an event – it was a moment of open, multidisciplinary dialogue bringing together voices from government, academia, and industry to explore how digital technologies are reshaping our social and cultural fabric.

📍 Set in the iconic Locarno Film Festival, this unique experience was promoted by digitalswitzerland, and Var Group was proud to take part and contribute.

A Distinguished Panel and an Inspiring Speaker

During the panel on cultural and societal disruptions driven by Artificial Intelligence, our very own Alessandro Gencarelli took the stage with a keynote titled:

🎤 “The Intelligent Breakthrough: AI, Human & Organizational Intelligence to Truly Innovate”

His talk focused on the role of human and organizational intelligence as strategic pillars for authentic, inclusive, and sustainable innovation—enhancing the real-world value of AI in impactful ways.

Var Digital Art: Digital Creativity in a Cinematic Setting

As part of the interactive Gallery Walk, we presented Var Digital Art – our cultural lab dedicated to exploring the connection between Art, Digital Technology and Business. A project that places creativity at the core of innovation, and that found a perfect stage in the cinematic and visionary context of Locarno.

A Rich Agenda and Genuine Exchange

The day unfolded through a thought-provoking agenda, beginning with the keynote by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, and touching on key topics such as digital transformation in healthcare, the Swiss e-ID, and the importance of digital trust.

The event concluded with a gourmet flying dinner, followed by red carpet access and a special evening screening in Piazza Grande.

🤝 A special thank you to digitalswitzerland for this valuable collaboration, which highlighted once again the importance of connecting diverse perspectives, skills and cultures to build a trusted path forward in digital transformation.