Since its establishment in 1971, the World Economic Forum has been committed to improving the state of the world. By engaging thousands of influential government officials, entrepreneurs, economists, researchers, policymakers, academics, and artists, the event brings together thought leaders and strives to affect change. With a focus on the long term, the WEF tackles challenges and opportunities that humanity faces from the perspective of “systems” — from issues of energy, environment, and natural resources to health, trade, and finance.

Tomás Saraceno, a visiting artist with the MIT Center for Art, Science, and Technology (CAST), was one of 40 individuals selected as a cultural leader for this year’s meeting. These artists helped to add dimension to the discussions and shape the global agenda by creating awe, challenging conventional thinking, and creating new narratives.

A large installation in the Congress Centre in Davos showcased Saraceno’s work to make the dream of “aerosolar infrastructure” possible. Two large Aerocene Sculptures dangled from the atrium ceiling, on display for forum attendees to admire. Using a touchscreen with a globe projection, visitors learned how the balloons floated in the air, following trajectories dictated by atmospheric conditions and wind currents. The software, visualizations, and interface for the project’s trajectories display were developed at MIT with the support of MIT CAST. Additionally, the Aerocene Float Predictor, an interactive online simulation, allowed guests to virtually launch an Aerocene sculpture and examine how evolving wind patterns affect where the structure goes, using wind forecast data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Global Forecast System. Also in the exhibit was “Aerocene Explorer,” a backpack-sized, tethered-flight starter balloon kit, which allows users to journey into the sky, take aerial photos and video, and collect atmospheric data using non-intrusive, emissions-free scientific tools that measure air quality, temperature, humidity, and pressure. 

Saraceno also participated in a discussion that envisioned a world “Beyond the Anthropocene.” Moderated by Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, the talks explored what it will take to return to a stable and resilient Earth system. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore provided the opening remarks before opening up the floor to presentations by Saraceno and environmental scientist Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Rockström’s scientific talk centered on how CO2 warmed the planet and how we can recover from it. This was followed by an artist guest-lecture given by Saraceno, who invited visitors to become aerosolar and float into a new Aerocene era.