Past TEDx event

TEDxEsei School Barcelona

Co-Intelligence: How to humanize the future in collaboration with AI

Took placeApril 17, 20266:00 PM - 9:00 PM (GMT+2)
LocationBarcelona, Barcelona (ca), Spain
FormatUniversity
What does it mean to remain deeply human in a world shaped by artificial intelligence? At TEDxESEI School Barcelona, this year’s theme invites us to explore a defining question of our time: as technology begins to shape how we think, connect, and decide, how do we ensure it strengthen rather than diminishes; our humanity? We are not anti-technology. We are pro-conscious progress. In a hyper-digital, dopamine-driven world where speed often replaces depth and performance overshadows authenticity, young people are navigating identity, employability, and mental health under constant algorithmic influence. The challenge is no longer whether AI will evolve, it’s whether we will evolve with awareness, responsibility, and courage. Through voices from technology, psychology, education, business, sports, and the arts, this edition of TEDxESEI School Barcelona will explore how to rebuild trust, protect meaningful connection, and design systems that serve people and not the other way around. Because the future will not be human by default. It will be human by choice. We invite you to join the conversation and share your reflections below.

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

  • Alex Macolino

    Entrepreneur-in-the-making and Esei's Master student

    An emerging entrepreneur exploring the intersection of philosophy and enterprise, representing a new generation building with AI as a primary collaborator. With a background in Communication and Advertising, he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at ESEI Business School.

  • Arie Elbelman

    Branding strategist, entrepreneur, educator, community-builder, and marketing leader

    Arie blends meaningful messaging with real business impact. He helps startups and organizations connect strategy with purpose, aligning growth with authenticity and empathy. With experience in brand development, tech startups, and digital marketing, he supports leaders in building businesses that resonate on a deeper human level. As an educator, he empowers future leaders to balance commercial goals with purpose-driven thinking, working at the intersection of branding, innovation, and human connection.

  • Claire Farwell

    AI strategist, speaker and educator

    Claire Farwell is a Human-First AI strategist, speaker, and educator based in Barcelona. With over 25 years of international experience, she works with leaders and teams to integrate AI in a way that strengthens human thinking, not replaces it. Known for translating complex technology into clear, practical insight, Claire focuses on the intersection of AI, performance, and human values. She has spoken internationally on AI, leadership, and responsible innovation, bringing a grounded, real-world perspective to one of the fastest-moving shifts of our time. Alongside her work in AI, she is a competitive swimmer training for the European Masters Championships - a journey that deeply informs her perspective on discipline, clarity, and what it truly means to stay human in an age of machines.

  • Gus Reed

    Entrepreneur-in-the-making and Esei's Master student

    Gus Reed is an emerging entrepreneur exploring the intersection between philosophy, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. Part of the first generation building alongside AI as a creative collaborator, he combines philosophical thinking with venture creation. He holds a background in Philosophy and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at ESEI Business School.

  • Kate Busby

    Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), growth strategist, and marketing educator

    She specializes in helping startups and scale-ups, particularly in EdTech, SaaS, and AI, achieve sustainable, data-driven growth. With over a decade of experience, Busby focuses on go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, and demand generation, often working with companies from pre-seed to Series B stages. She is known for bridging brand strategy and performance marketing, using analytics, AI tools, and omnichannel campaigns to drive measurable business outcomes. Her work has contributed to 40%+ year-over-year revenue growth (ARR) for multiple organizations, managing marketing budgets exceeding $12M and leading global expansion and localization efforts. In addition to consulting, Busby is active as an educator and mentor, teaching AI-driven marketing and advising founders on scaling strategies, customer acquisition, and market positioning.

  • Maja Zavrsnik

    Co-Founder and CMO

    She is the co-founder and CMO of SheAI, Maja provides the workshops, consultancy, and community needed to turn AI from a mystery into a massive opportunity. On the TEDx stage, she'll be sharing her insights on how we can use these "un-human" tools to create deeply human successes.

  • Yohay Elam

    Entrepreneur and Founder of TouchBase

    Yohay Elam is a second-time entrepreneur and the founder of TouchBase, an app that helps people reconnect and strengthen relations with those they care about. It's part of the bigger problem of loneliness. He previously launched a content website catering to retail forex traders, a business that was acquired, and has experience in product management and software development.

Organizing team