Moscow Hosts BRICS Forum on Urban Futures with Tech Pioneers
▼ Summary
– Moscow will host the third BRICS Urban Future Forum on September 17-18, 2025, focusing on robotic technologies and artificial intelligence.
– Over 320 experts from more than 35 countries will discuss urban transformation strategies through 2040, emphasizing technology’s role in development.
– The forum’s theme is “The Technological Framework of the City,” highlighting robotics, automation, and AI as drivers of change in urban services and social systems.
– Key speakers include Dr. Kate Barker, who will address integrating robots and AI into cities, and Yanis Varoufakis, who will discuss techno-feudalism and digital platform risks.
– The event aims to facilitate international partnerships, exchange innovation best practices, and showcase technological solutions for future megacities.
Moscow is set to welcome global leaders and innovators for the third BRICS Urban Future Forum, a premier event focusing on the technological evolution of cities. The gathering will bring together over 320 specialists from government, technology, business, and academia, representing more than 35 nations spanning the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Discussions will center on shaping urban development strategies through 2040, with a strong emphasis on how robotics and artificial intelligence are redefining metropolitan life.
This year’s theme, “The Technological Framework of the City,” places automation and intelligent systems at the heart of the conversation. Robotics already play a vital role in urban management, and their influence is only expected to expand. The accelerating pace of innovation in automation and AI is transforming production methods, labor markets, and social structures worldwide.
The Forum acts as a crucial hub for international dialogue on constructing the megacities of tomorrow. Among the featured speakers is Dr. Kate Barker, Chief Futurist of NEOM and strategic advisor to the UAE government and Fortune 500 companies. She will present insights on integrating robots, AI, and platform-based economies into urban ecosystems. Drawing from projects like NEOM, Dr. Barker will explore the transition toward a “hybrid world,” tackling pressing issues such as digital sovereignty, the risks of widespread automation, and the integration of emerging technologies like air taxis and virtual services.
Another key topic involves the socioeconomic implications of technological advancement. Economist Yanis Varoufakis, known for his concept of techno-feudalism, will analyze how machine learning algorithms empower digital platforms to displace conventional markets. He argues that these platforms enable owners to extract “cloud rent” from data and services, creating a dynamic where users become dependent “cloud serfs” under the influence of “tech overlords.”
Last year’s event attracted 13,000 attendees and facilitated significant partnerships in tech-driven urban development. Notable outcomes included technology transfer agreements involving Russian firms Informtekhnika, IBI Software, and Digital Practices with Egyptian partners. The Skolkovo Foundation also inked collaboration deals with DUBAI CHAMBERS, CORPORATE GROUP, and the gaming conglomerate Game Art Pioneers.
Scheduled for September 17–18 in Moscow, the 2025 Forum will highlight robotic and AI applications within urban environments. Participants will include government officials, corporate leaders, researchers, and influencers from around the globe. Key goals include sharing innovative best practices, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and showcasing cutting-edge solutions designed to make future cities more sustainable, intelligent, and livable.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
