Through our shared vision, we can explore pioneering solutions that bridge technology, humanity, and the planet—fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future.

The Berggruen Institute and the MIT Media Lab both champion the development of pioneering solutions that bridge the gap between technology, humanity, and the planet. Together, we are dedicated to fostering creativity, advancing technological innovation, and promoting sustainable, inclusive societies.

• Innovation and Creativity: The Berggruen Institute and the MIT Media Lab believe in the transformative power of creativity and innovation. The Media Lab's focus on cultivating creativity through interdisciplinary collaboration aligns seamlessly with the Institute's commitment to forging new conceptual frameworks to meet the challenges of the future.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Both institutions prioritize breaking down traditional academic and social boundaries to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. The Media Lab's diverse research themes—Connected Mind + Body, Cultivating Creativity, Decentralized Society, Life with AI, and Future Worlds—complement the Berggruen Institute's thematic focus on Renovating Democracy, Universal Capital, Future Humans, The Planetary, and Antikythera.
• Sustainability and Inclusivity: The shared goal of promoting sustainable, inclusive futures is central to both organizations. The Media Lab's initiatives in digital mental health, bionic interventions, and climate action resonate with the Berggruen Institute's projects on planetary health, economic equity, and governance innovation.

Planetary Health + Sustainability

As temperatures rise and weather events intensify, the world stands at a climate tipping point. The MIT Media Lab, under the Future Worlds Research Theme, is working to develop transformative tools and immersive environments that support education and awareness around critical climate issues, as well as enable data-driven decision making. Through a unique combination of art, science, design, and engineering, the MIT Media Lab’s commitment to innovative climate solutions aims to inspire agency, and foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity to drive positive change and ensure a sustainable future.

Earth Mission Control: Advanced Data Visualizations for Climate Intelligence

Earth Mission Control (EMC) is an innovative project within the MIT Media Lab's Future Worlds Research Theme. This immersive, AR/VR data visualization platform leverages satellite Earth Observation (EO) data in combination with transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced data visualizations, to deepen our understanding of the effects of climate change impacts, and influence positive human behavior. Through collaborations with NASA, the World Economic Forum, and various industry stakeholders, EMC layers EO data with AI and user-friendly interfaces to democratize access to critical environmental information, providing a powerful tool for environmental and socioeconomic advocacy as well as strategic planning for climate resilience.

Through hyperlocal storytelling components and spotlighting the human impact of climate change, EMC provides users with the insight to make proactive climate decisions and the agency to advocate for climate action. In its current beta phase, EMC includes a location-based decision map table, information dashboards, and holistic global data projections on a sphere. 

Sea Level Rise in Venice

Sea level rise is one of the most urgent consequences of climate change, posing significant risks to coastal cities worldwide. Venice, with its unique cultural heritage and historical significance, is particularly vulnerable. The city’s intricate network of canals, combined with subsidence and rising sea levels, puts it at high risk for flooding. Increased flooding events (acqua alta) have become more frequent and severe, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, cultural landmarks, and daily life. Sea levels in Venice have risen by approximately 26 centimeters over the past century and are projected to rise by another 20-80 cm by 2100, intensifying Venice's vulnerability. These projections highlight the urgent need for robust adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Earth Mission Control: Venice Prototype Demo

The EMC prototype demo video highlights the selection of the city of Venice in the immersive VR environment. Once selected, the city is projected onto the EMC decision table. The controller allows users to select relevant information dashboards to explore the effects of sea level rise in Venice. These interactive dashboards allow users to explore data such as the extent of flooding in Venice at different increments of sea level rise (e.g., how much of Venice is projected to be underwater with a specified increase in sea level). 

In the context of human experience with climate change, the dashboard also depicts the 2019 acqua alta water levels relative to an average human height. Additional contextual information, such as the percentage of Venice's population vulnerable to sea level rise and land subsidence rates in millimeters per year, helps put the data into perspective. Users can also zoom into the map table for a more detailed, hyperlocal view of the city. 

Different stakeholders can utilize this information in various ways: urban planners can design and implement effective flood defenses and urban infrastructure adaptations; policy-makers can develop informed policies and allocate resources for climate resilience and adaptation measures; and local government and community leaders can engage and educate the public on the risks and necessary actions for climate resilience. By combining detailed data visualization and interactive tools, EMC provides stakeholders with the information they need to identify challenges related to climate change and take steps toward more resilient action.

Berggruen + MIT Media Lab collaboration: EMC story-telling, supercomputer visualizations, and research immersion 

1. Improved Data Accessibility and Comprehensibility: The development of EMC aims to refine its ability to simplify complex EO data, making it more accessible to diverse audiences. This will help communities understand the climate risks and take more data-informed actions.
2. Developing Hyperlocal Narratives: Insights from our collaborators (policy-makers, industry, civil society, and academia) can help craft hyperlocal climate narratives that resonate with Venice’s residents, ensuring the climate insights are contextual, relevant, and actionable at a community level.
3. Bringing humans front and center in climate discussions: By emphasizing the human aspects of climate change, EMC aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and agency to advocate for meaningful climate action through a deeper connection with data.
4. Promoting Transparency and Accountability: The development of EMC ensures transparency and accountability in climate projects, enabling stakeholders to track, verify, and ensure compliance with ESG and SDG criteria, and assess the effectiveness of climate policies. 

The alignment of visions between the Berggruen Institute and the MIT Media Lab opens up exciting opportunities for potential collaborative innovation. By combining our strengths in interdisciplinary research, technological advancement, and creative problem-solving, we could make significant contributions to the future of humanity, technology, and the planet. Join us on this journey to shape a better world.