Nicolas Nova

Ethnographer, Futures Researcher, Writer and Curator

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Nicolas Nova's Biography

Nicolas Nova is an ethnographer, futures researcher, writer and curator. He is both the co-founder of the Near Future Laboratory, a futures research agency based in Europe and California, and an Associate Professor at the Geneva School of Arts and Design (HEAD – Genève). His work lies at the intersection of anthropology, interaction design and digital technologies. He is interested in observing and documenting digital and new media practices, in order to create new computing experiences centered around people’s needs, cultures and contexts. Nicolas has given talks and exhibited his work in venues such SXSW, EPIC, the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, NEXT, the design week in Milano, ixda interaction, and the Institute for the Future. He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Human-Computer Interaction) from the Swiss Institute of Technology (Lausanne) and another PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Geneva. He was previously a visiting professor at Politecnico di Milano (Italy), ENSCI-Les Ateliers (Paris), die Angewandte (Vienna), and a visiting researcher at the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, CA). Nicolas was finally one of co-founder and curator at Lift Conference, a series of international events about digital culture, design and innovation. He lives in Geneva (Switzerland) with a dual French and Swiss citizenship and presents both in English and French.

SPEAKING VIDEOS
PHOTOS

FIBER Festival 2017 - 'Curious Rituals, Digital Superstitions' - Nicolas Nova

Nicolas Nova: Near Future Laboratory

SPEAKER TOPICS

Digital Transformation Speakers

Design Thinking Speakers

Artificial Intelligence Speakers

NFT & Art Speakers

Conference Speakers

Technology Speakers

Nicolas Nova Keynote Topics

Technological Failures, Product Flops and How to Learn from Them

Nicolas Nova brings fresh insight into how failures shape innovation. By exploring technological missteps and product flops, he reveals what they teach us about creativity, human behavior, and future opportunities. His engaging stories help audiences reframe failure as a powerful tool for growth.

This talk is especially relevant for organizations navigating innovation. Teams walk away understanding how to embrace experimentation, learn from mistakes, and create a culture where setbacks spark meaningful breakthroughs.

Digital Art and How It Can Help Anticipate the Future of Technology

Our speaker Nicolas Nova highlights how digital art provides a unique lens into the evolution of technology. By showcasing works at the edge of creativity and code, he demonstrates how artists anticipate trends and reflect societal shifts before they hit the mainstream.

This session inspires audiences to see art as a research lab for the future. It equips organizations to spot signals of change earlier, encouraging leaders to imagine new possibilities and prepare for tomorrow’s digital landscape.

Marginal Practices of Digital Technologies and How They Anticipate Their Futures

Nicolas Nova takes audiences into the overlooked corners of digital culture where unconventional uses of technology often predict what comes next. From hacks to grassroots experiments, he shows how marginal practices can signal future mainstream behaviors.

For innovators and strategists, this talk uncovers how paying attention to the margins leads to fresh ideas and competitive advantage. Attendees leave with sharper foresight and a broader perspective on technology’s evolving role.

The Consequences of Artificial Intelligence in Cultural Production (Art, Music, Literature, etc.)

This keynote explores how AI is transforming the creation of art, music, and literature. Nicolas Nova unpacks both the opportunities and challenges, asking what it means when machines participate in cultural production.

Audiences gain a clear-eyed view of the implications for creativity, authenticity, and human expression. The session sparks vital conversations for organizations in the cultural, creative, and technology sectors about how to navigate this new era.

Design Fiction, Science-Fiction and Technology

In this talk, Nicolas Nova demonstrates how design fiction and science fiction can act as powerful tools to explore technology’s future. By blending storytelling with research, he shows how imagined worlds help us reflect on the choices we make today.

This session invites organizations to use fiction not as escapism, but as a strategic tool. Leaders and teams leave inspired to prototype new ideas, challenge assumptions, and envision the long-term impact of emerging technologies.

Nicolas Nova's Biography

His work lies at the intersection of anthropology, interaction design and digital technologies. He is interested in observing and documenting digital and new media practices, in order to create new computing experiences centered around people’s needs, cultures and contexts. Nicolas has given talks and exhibited his work in venues such SXSW, EPIC, the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, NEXT, the design week in Milano, ixda interaction, and the Institute for the Future.

He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Human-Computer Interaction) from the Swiss Institute of Technology (Lausanne) and another PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Geneva. He was previously a visiting professor at Politecnico di Milano (Italy), ENSCI-Les Ateliers (Paris), die Angewandte (Vienna), and a visiting researcher at the Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, CA).

Nicolas was finally one of co-founder and curator at Lift Conference, a series of international events about digital culture, design and innovation. He lives in Geneva (Switzerland) with a dual French and Swiss citizenship and presents both in English and French.