The third day of the 7th UNESCO MOST Winter School was dedicated to the political, ethical, and cultural implications of technological advancements, particularly AI and robotics, as well as the role of environmental humanities in addressing global sustainability challenges. The discussions engaged scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, emphasizing the intersections between technology, governance, and ecology.

The day began with the panel “Frontiers of Technology: Political, Cultural, and Ethical Dimensions of AI and Robotics.” Chaired by László Karvalics (iASK, Hungary), the session explored the rapidly evolving influence of AI and robotics on politics, security, social systems, and even armed conflicts. Keynote speaker Roland Jakab (Chief Executive Officer, HUN-REN, President of MI Koalicio, Hungary) provided an overview of AI’s transformative potential and the regulatory challenges it poses in contemporary societies. The discussion was further enriched by the insights of David Daou (UNU-EHS, Germany), Zsuzsanna Márka (Columbia University, USA), Levente Szabados (Foundation for Information Society, Hungary), and Attila Tanyi (University of Tromsø, Norway), who critically examined how AI-driven decision-making affects governance structures and ethical considerations surrounding automation and labor markets.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted toward ecological consciousness and the humanities with a workshop on Environmental Humanities, chaired by Izabella Agárdi (iASK, Hungary). The session brought together historians, anthropologists, and environmental scientists to discuss how cultural narratives shape our responses to environmental crises. Panelists Franz Graf (Institute of Ethnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Czech Republic), Inna Hakkinen (University of Helsinki, Finland – online), Kehinde Balogun (Catholic University of Portugal – online), Kariũki Werũ (UNU-EHS, Germany), and Sanae Okamoto (UNU-MERIT, Netherlands) explored how literature, history, and social sciences contribute to ecological awareness and action. The discussion underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding the deep cultural roots of environmental challenges.

The final session of the day was the interactive workshop “Reimagining Environments: New Approaches in Ecological Design,” led by Boglárka Jakabfi-Kovács (Architect, Systems Design Researcher, MOME, Hungary). This hands-on session invited participants to engage in experimental design thinking, envisioning sustainable urban and rural environments that harmonize with natural ecosystems. The workshop encouraged innovative systems-thinking approaches to reconfiguring human-environment interactions and introduced participants to alternative models of ecological planning beyond conventional sustainability frameworks.

The day concluded with the opening of an art exhibition featuring the works of Magdolna Mihály, an artist whose practice explores the intersection of environment, materiality, and cultural memory. Her exhibition provided a visual and conceptual extension of the day’s themes, bridging artistic expression with ecological consciousness. The evening allowed participants to engage with the artworks in an informal setting, furthering cross-disciplinary dialogues.