Welcome Speech by Máté Milovits. 

Mihály Minkó 

Biophilic design helps us to experience nature in the context of built environment in order to stay healthy and productive. To assess the extent to which these design principles are applied in my own urban environment I decided to investigate three different types of medium scale public community spaces: health institutions, workplaces and block houses. After collecting relevant examples, I will assess and present the main differences between these spaces in my presentation.

Ádám Radványi, Dr. 

Just as life adapts to challenges in nature, humanity has applied evolutionary principles to create artificial systems that mimic human expression, like language and art. But what happens when the creations of these systems are abused in the digital wild? Can an ex-biologist turned data scientist provide some food for thought? Probably not—but he’s got 15 minutes to try! 

Eörs Szathmáry, Dr. 

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have garnered significant attention from the public, and rightly so. For now, it is viewed as an exciting tool, and like any new technology, some see it as a blessing, while others fear it may turn out to be a curse. Both sides present compelling arguments. AI holds immense potential for significantly improving the efficiency of numerous scientific and business activities, including medical diagnostics, drug design, education, legal advice, financial services, telecommunications, and the design and operation of energy systems.

At the same time, there are considerable concerns, such as job displacement, breaches of privacy, misinformation, economic inequality, dependence, ethical dilemmas, and ultimately, loss of control—an outcome that many AI insiders chillingly suggest could spell the end of humanity. Governments recognize the need for safety measures, and initial steps have been taken. However, these steps may prove inadequate for two key reasons.

The first issue is that regulation targets a rapidly moving objective, and dominant players show little interest in cooperating with regulators. The regulatory frameworks adopted so far aim for the lowest common denominator—what governments can politically agree upon and what tech companies do not perceive as restrictive to their business models—but fall short of addressing the risks posed by AI. Open-source AI may further empower rogue actors to develop and deploy new weapons, increasing the risk of accidents.

The second issue, which we believe is more significant and largely overlooked, is the potential emergence of evolvable AI agents. We contend that the components necessary for this substantial evolutionary leap are already in place. The leap may have already occurred without our awareness, and some evolving AI agents might already exist in cyberspace, operating, so to speak, under the radar. We will explain why this is profoundly dangerous.

Once Darwinian evolutionary capability is present, evolving agents naturally develop self-interest as control over their goal structure weakens, and evolution accelerates in parallel. The diversity of evolving AI agents is likely to rival the astonishing variety of life in the biosphere. The interests of evolvable artificial intelligence and humanity are expected to diverge progressively as evolution advances. The less aligned these interests become, the greater the potential for conflict. Considering the resources advanced AI can exploit and the speed at which it operates (including its lightning-fast evolution compared to biology), we could easily lose the battle.

Piumi Perera

In a world increasingly dominated by digital technologies, there are rising concerns about how these advances can contribute to the growing disconnection between people and nature. Excessive screen time and digital immersion are often linked to a decline in outdoor activity and erosion of attention to natural surroundings. As cities expand and green spaces shrink, some see technology as a barrier that could further isolate people from the natural world. Simultaneously, there is growing recognition of the value of enhancing access to natural environments through purposeful digital interventions. Augmented Reality (AR), which overlays digital information onto physical environments, is frequently presented as a tool to bridge this gap, as it allows users to remain connected and aware of their physical environment. 

This presentation critically examines the role AR could play in re-engaging people with nature, drawing on observations from fieldwork and user studies of mobile AR applications in Australia. While AR has the potential to reveal hidden ecological details, such as identifying plant species or visualizing environmental changes, questions remain about whether these digital interactions truly foster a connection to nature or simply add another layer of mediated experience. By focusing on screens to view nature, users may paradoxically become less attuned to their physical surroundings, reducing spontaneous observation and limiting authentic sensory experiences. 

The findings presented will explore both the potential and limitations of AR in urban nature settings, considering whether it genuinely enhances ecological awareness or primarily serves as a digital distraction. In light of increasing digitization, this talk emphasizes the need for a careful and balanced approach to the design and integration of digital interventions, questioning whether AR ultimately encourages meaningful connections to nature or, conversely, deepens our reliance on technology for environmental engagement. 

Sam Chovanec 

Our project explores whether immersive technologies like AR can allow humans to feel more connected to nonhuman entities—such as plants, animals and ecosystems—challenging the notion that technology distances us from nature. This work stems from my background as a theater director, where I specialized in creating immersive experiences that invite the audience to engage deeply with nonhuman actors. Transitioning to research, I applied the same principles to reframe our relationship with the natural world, aiming to capture the stories of plants, animals, and ecosystems in ways that resonate beyond human-centered perspectives. 

In one of our case studies, we used the extinct Hungarian plant Puccinellia pannonica in an AR application. While participants showed modest improvements in their overall connection to nature, they developed a notably stronger connection to specific natural elements, like this plant. This suggests that AR may foster focused, targeted connections rather than broad engagement. 

Additionally, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate AR's broader impact on human-nature connections. This review critically examines whether AR can indeed enhance these connections, countering the common perception that digital technology detracts from real-world engagement.  

Our upcoming project will further explore AR’s role in Nature. This study will take place directly in nature, studying its effect in adult population, using it as a tool for conservation, education, and meaningful engagement with the natural world.

Michal Medek

The contribution will present outcomes of 2017 research on digital interpretation of natural heritage in the Czech Republic. This was a small research with a) overview of digital interpretation in CZ at that time and b) qualitative research of 3 case studies, nevertheless it gave interesting insight into perception of digital interpretation and limitations in technology / visitor interaction. 

Lukas Hejtmanek

As urbanization and digitalization increasingly dominate our lives, access to natural spaces becomes more crucial yet challenging for many people. Citizens with reduced mobility, hospital-bound patients, residents of large urban areas, and workers constrained by their schedules find it increasingly difficult to visit nature. Similarly, people on long-term missions—such as arctic expeditions, boat voyages, or more and more frequent human space exploration missions — can also suffer from nature separation. 
We will discuss how VR technologies can create immersive natural experiences, offering a "visceral, embodied experience" that goes beyond traditional media. By leveraging detailed true environmental data collected using modern technologies such as LiDAR and photogrammetry, we can create photorealistic environments that potentially supplement real nature in these cases. Moreover, VR can not only replicate existing natural spaces but also fully control them - time of day, species composition, auditory, and even olfactory stimuli. As such, VR creates an ideal platform for scientific examination of the root causes of¨why exposure to nature has such profound benefits for our well-being, a question still unanswered by our current knowledge. 
The talk will address the psychological and physiological effects of virtual nature experiences, comparing them to real-world encounters. We'll explore studies that have shown promising results in stress reduction and improved well-being through VR nature exposure⁠. However, we'll also critically examine the limitations and ethical considerations of replacing or augmenting real nature experiences with virtual one.

Juli Balázs

In recent years, a noticeable trend has emerged where immersive installations increasingly draw inspiration from natural phenomena. In this presentation, I will delve into how large-scale interactive art and smaller immersive experiences reflect our inherent fascination with nature, as well as our desire to feel deeply connected to it.

Humans have an inherent desire to understand, replicate, and interact with the natural world. Immersive installations, like natural environments, surround us completely and often engage multiple senses. They might feature soundscapes, tactile elements, or even scents, creating a lifelike experience that blurs the lines between reality and simulation.

I will discuss two main types of works: those that use natural elements augmented with digital enhancements to convey new meanings, and those that recreate nature entirely through technology within artificial environments. Both types reveal a tension between the natural and the technological. Some artists seek to soften this boundary, while others emphasize it to provoke reflection and engagement.

I will examine works like those of teamLab, which draw heavily on Japanese cultural connections to nature, creating spaces that invite collective, interactive encounters. These installations not only mimic natural elements but also provide opportunities for shared, awe-inspiring experiences that strengthen our sense of togetherness.

Moreover, the way we engage with these installations is evolving. Many people experience them primarily through social media, where digital sharing becomes a crucial part of the art itself, turning it into what some call "hashtag art."

By highlighting both international projects and my own installations, I will show how technology can evoke nature in ways that foster connection rather than isolation. These artworks encourage collective immersion and a deeper understanding of our place in the world, raising questions about why we are drawn to these experiences and what they say about our evolving relationship with our environment.

Edwina Portocarrero

ListenTree is an audio-haptic display embedded in the natural environment. Motivated by a need for forms of display that fade into the background, our installation invites attention rather than requiring it. We consume most of our digital information through devices that often alienate us from our immediate surroundings; ListenTree points to a future where digital information might become enmeshed in the material. 

Ágnes Karolina Bakk, PhD

In this presentation, we offer a short overview of the design process of an altered version of an existing interactive virtual reality (VR) application prototype, Zenctuary VR. The application aims to provide users with a natural restorative environment, and we aim to further develop it for seniors with multimorbidity in hospitals. The outcomes are based on the initial design considerations of the prototype, as well as background literature and workshops organized with healthcare professionals and psychologists working with the hospitalized senior population. This revision addresses grammatical issues while maintaining the original meaning and intent of your abstract. 

Máté Hulesch

This presentation examines how architectural visions articulate the evolving human-environment relationship through spatial representation, drawing on Lefebvre’s spatial theory. It focuses on how architectural projects reflect societal ideologies and interrogate dominant urban narratives. By comparing the radical concepts of Archizoom Associati’s No-Stop City and Liam Young’s Planet City, this analysis explores shifts in architectural thought from the late 20th century to the present.

Archizoom’s No-Stop City (1970s) serves as a provocative critique of capitalist urbanization, envisioning an endless urban landscape that mirrors consumer society's relentless expansion. This speculative project questions both modernist ideals and superficial critiques of postmodernism, revealing tensions between architectural aesthetics and societal aspirations. By representing the city as a pervasive “second nature,” Archizoom’s vision challenges the capacity of architecture to generate meaningful societal change.

In contrast, Liam Young’s Planet City (2020-2021) proposes a hyper-dense urban solution that responds to contemporary ecological crises. Occupying only 0.02% of the Earth's surface, Planet City imagines a sustainable future in which the rest of the planet is restored to nature. This speculative narrative emphasizes the urgency of rethinking urban density and highlights the potential for technology to mediate a new human-nature relationship.

The comparative analysis reveals how the perception of nature and urbanism has been transformed and shaped by technological advancements and shifting ideologies. It raises critical questions about the role of architecture in addressing environmental challenges: How do speculative urban projects critique or reinforce prevailing ideologies? What is the significance of architectural form in envisioning sustainable futures? By situating these projects within broader theoretical discourses, from 20th-century radical movements to modern ecological thought, this research underscores the evolving role of architecture in shaping socio-environmental narratives.

Natalia Perjakova 

We introduce the "MyGenome Portal," a sustainable platform designed to meet regulatory and ethical standards of the Estonian Biobank. Its main objectives include transparent data access, responsible return of genetic results, and facilitation of scientific research. The portal offers biobank participants personalized genetic insights on disease risks, medication responses, and ancestry. Its design emphasizes user-friendly navigation, comprehensive educational resources, and responsive support, all with ethical oversight. The portal initially offers insights across five key areas, with additional phases expanding access. By leveraging polygenic risk scores and integrating lifestyle data, the portal aims to provide accurate, predictive health insights tailored to participants’ backgrounds. This platform also serves as a research hub, supporting studies across genetics and social sciences. 

An interactive VR journey that lets visitors connect with nature as digital gardeners. 

Selection of Recent Graduation Projects from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME).