Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence

Photos from VMU students’ meeting with the creators of Wetland.games
Photos from VMU students’ meeting with the creators of Wetland.games

MIT Faculty Deepen Collaboration with Lithuania through Conference on Technology and Coexistence

Led by Vice Provost for International Activities Duane Boning, a delegation of ten MIT faculty members, including ACT Associate Professor Gediminas Urbonas, traveled to Lithuania earlier this month to exchange ideas and expertise across a wide spectrum of technological, societal, and ecological issues.

Held from October 8–10 in Vilnius and Kaunas, the international conference — titled Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence — brought together more than 500 scientists, business leaders, educators, and government officials. The event aimed to strengthen connections between MIT and a consortium of Lithuanian universities, research centers, and industry partners. Its interdisciplinary agenda addressed pressing themes such as resilient cities, energy systems, biotechnology, education, and quantum technologies.

“By linking MIT scholars with Lithuanian partners, we co-create knowledge, accelerate breakthroughs, and cultivate talent for the world’s hardest problems,” said Gediminas Urbonas, Associate Professor at ACT and a conference presenter.

Above images: Human and More-Than-Human Futures: Innovating Technologies for Coexistence Conference. October 8-10, 2025. Photo: Jonas Petronis.

Dr. Gintaras Valincius, Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania, added:

“We hope this conference marks the beginning of a long-term partnership that will strengthen Lithuania’s research ecosystem, promote innovation, and open new opportunities for collaboration with U.S. scientists.”

The event followed the signing of a collaboration agreement between MIT and a Lithuanian consortium representing major universities, research institutions, and industry partners. Managed by the MIT International Science & Technology Initiatives (MISTI), the partnership also includes plans for student internships, researcher training at MIT, and early-stage research grants.

Throughout the three-day program, plenary sessions and group discussions explored “more-than-human” perspectives — recognizing the interconnected agency of humans, animals, plants, and artificial intelligence in fostering justice, wellbeing, and mutual care. Participants also took part in Wetland.games, a collaborative role-playing experience developed with European scientists and designers to encourage multi-species thinking in environmental planning.

Above images: Photos from VMU students’ meeting with the creators of Wetland.games, October 8-10, 2025.

The conference was hosted by Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Kaunas and Vilnius University in Vilnius. Opening remarks were delivered by Boning and several Lithuanian dignitaries, including a message from President Gitanas Nausėda, presented by his advisor.

MIT’s Professor Jessika Trancik of the Institute for Data, Systems and Society delivered the opening keynote on “Energy Systems”, while Drew Story, Managing Director of the MIT Policy Lab, began the second day with a talk on “A Model for Academic Engagement in Public Policy.”

MIT faculty also participated in panel discussions covering topics such as livable cities, climate-resilient communities, AI and cybersecurity, factories of the future, biology and genetics, and defense and security. These exchanges highlighted not only critical areas of shared research but also a shared commitment to expanding the MIT–Lithuania partnership.

Woven throughout the event was a call to envision a future of harmonious coexistence — one where people, technology, and nature thrive together. The dialogue moved beyond conventional “smart” technologies toward self-learning systems capable of adapting to human and environmental needs.

The conference was organized by the Lithuanian Consortium, an independent initiative fostering collaboration between Lithuanian science, business, and MIT, with support from the Research Council of Lithuania, Northway Biotech, and the Kazickas Family Foundation.

Members of the Lithuanian Consortium for collaboration with MIT: Kaunas University of Technology, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuanian Energy Institute, AB Ignitis Group, LTG Group, UAB Euromonitor International – Eastern Europe, and UAB Novian.

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