Ciudad de las Ideas (conference)
La Ciudad de las Ideas is a conference created by Andrés Roemer, to empower citizens and present innovative ideas in science, technology, art, design, politics, education, culture, business, entertainment and other areas of knowledge. CDI created a 21-minute format to encourage debate. Daniel Dennett called it the "brain Olympics".
CDI speakers have included Nobel Prize winners Jerome Isaac Friedman, Mario J. Molina, Jody Williams, Daniel Kahneman and Paul Krugman; researchers Robert Sapolsky, Steven Pinker, Eduard Punset, Clotaire Rapaille, Tim Berners-Lee, David Buss, Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, Craig Venter and Randi Zuckerberg; and Oscar nominees Adame Pesapane and Oliver Stone.
Since 2008, up to 3,600 attendees have gathered every November in the center of Puebla.
The head and curator of CDI is Andrés Roemer, partner of the NGO Poder Civico A.C., together with Ricardo Salinas Pliego, President and CEO of Grupo Salinas. The thematic approach of the curator of the speakers is as follows: "Scholars/Policy and Makers", "Mex-I-Can", "W-Under18", Debates, Art, Emotional, Technology, Artistic Interventions, and Entertainment.
The festival has been promoted in Azteca Trece and Proyecto 40 and on the event's website, social media, and through a science bookstore located at the festival site.
Since June 9, 2008, over 231 festival speakers have had their presentations published online. Fifty percent of the audience are between 16 and 25 years old.
History
2008: Cynosura
The first conference took place in Puebla’s Convention Center in 2008. Its name is derived from the star Polaris, also named Cynosura by the Greeks, pertaining to the Ursa Minor constellation. Cynosura took place from the 6th to 8 November, with the speakers allotted 21 minutes to present. The conference commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the scandal caused by the String Quartet No.2 in F Sharp Minor by Austrian composter, Arnold Schoenberg, with the atonality that disrupted traditional classic music.2009: Re-evolution
From 2009 onwards, the University’s Cultural Complex of the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla became the International Brilliant Minds Festival’s official venue. La Ciudad de las Ideas celebrated the International Year of Astronomy with a "night of telescopes" and, from 2009 to 2012, innovative ideas in science and humanities were acknowledged with the Innovation for Humanity Prize and the Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize.The winners of the Innovation for Humanity Prize in 2008 were Daniel Dennett and Steven Pinker, while the Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize acknowledged nearly 300 individuals.
2010: The origins of the future
In 2010, CDI commemorated two historical events relevant to Mexico: the Bicentennial Independence Day Anniversary and the Centennial Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. The 2010 edition took place in the University Cultural Complex at the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla from the 11th to 13 November, where over 33 speakers attended.The winners of the Innovation for Humanity Prize in 2009 were Dan Ariely and Philip Zimbardo, and the Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize acknowledged 200 individuals.
2011: Reset
This edition of CDI took place from the 10th to 12 November 2011 in the University Cultural Complex at the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla. As in 2009, the "night of telescopes" took place on Friday the 11th at 7pm.The winners of the Innovation for Humanity Prize in 2010 were Michio Kaku and Richard Dawkins. The Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize was awarded to 120 individuals.
2012: The Magic of If
The fifth edition of the festival was titled "The Magic of If". This edition took place from the 8th to 10 November 2012 in the University Cultural Complex at the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla. It included a new section dedicated to Mexican talent, called "Mex-I-can" and, on the other hand, the time for speakers to present reduced from 21 to 12 minutes.The winners of the Innovation for Humanity Prize in 2011 were Eduard Punset, Oliver Stone and Dambisa Moyo. For the 2012 edition, the Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize was transformed into a prize with great reach and significance, turning into an initiative that stimulates social entrepreneurship projects, called Gifted Citizen Prize.
2013: Dangerous Ideas
The festival's sixth edition took place from 7 to 9 November 2013, with the title of "Dangerous Ideas". Ciudad de las Ideas 2013 also took place in the University Cultural Complex at the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla and includes a new curatorial topic, "W-Under 18" that invited children and youth that are changing the world, like Jack Andraka, Boyan Slat, and Umi Garrett.2014: Change the Word
The seventh edition of La Ciudad de las Ideas Festival took place from November 6th to 8th. This was the first time that Metropolitan Auditorium of Puebla held the event.2015: What's the Point?
The 8th edition of CDI was held from November 5th to 7th at the Metropolitan Auditorium of Puebla. In this edition we were accompanied by Isaac Hernández and Esteban Hernández who danced accompanied by the amazing Yuan Yuan Tan and Jurgita Dronina, as well as other 60 than 60 speakers participated.2016: Play the Game
Play the Game took place from November 18th to 20th. The Festival had great personalities such as Tim Urban and artistic talents such as Julieta Venegas, Ximena Sariñana, Butterscotch among others.2017: Beyond X November
CDI 2017 took place at the Metropolitan Auditorium of Puebla, on November 17th, 18th and 19th. The tenth edition was full of amazing surprises and amazing speakers like Mario Molina, Noam Chomshy, Steven Pinker, Esther Perel among many others2018: The Burning Questions
The Burning Questions took place at the Metropolitan Auditorium of Puebla on November 16th, 17th and 18th. More than 60 speakers from different areas such as economics, science, politics, technology and more participated.2019: This Is Epic!
The XII Edition of the International Festival of Bright Minds: CDI 2019 This Is Epic took place from November 8th to 10th at the Metropolitan Auditorium of Puebla. Personalities such as Rigoberta Menchú, Guy Nattiv, Stefan Sagmeister, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Javier Santaolalla, Yusef Salaam among many others showed up making all the Auditorium felt amazed.Gifted Citizen Initiative
This initiative began at La Ciudad de las Ideas 2012. Submitted projects are evaluated by a committee and the conference Board of Directors. The projects can be scientific, technological, social, ecological or artistic in nature, as well as concerning development or human rights. The most outstanding project is awarded US$100,000. This prize is given in association with the Singularity University. Furthermore, the prize is backed up with the help of sponsors like Exitus Capital and Aeroméxico.The GZ Prize was known as the "Entrepreneur for Humanity Prize" in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 conferences.
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Jordi Martí Gascón | Jonathan Adiri and Jorge Soto | Andrew Bastawrous | Shanyn Ronis | Roopam Sharma | Laura Boykin | Christian Marín Müller |
Speakers
The following is a list of people who have spoken at the Ciudad de las Ideas:2008
Theme: "Cynosura"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| Amir Aczel | Science and Technology | The World of Mathematics and Luck |
| Jay Bakker | ||
| David P. Barash | Sexuality | Is Monogamy a Myth? |
| Eugene Bardach | Economy and Politics | Public Policy of the Future |
| Sam Barondes | Brain | Depression |
| Étienne-Émile Baulieu | Science and Technology | Eternal Youth |
| Shmuley Boteach | Debate | Is Religion Good For Humanity? |
| Louann Brizendine | Psychology and Sociology | The Female Brain |
| David Brooks | Psychology and Sociology | How To Transmit a Message |
| Chandler Burr | Art | New York Times Perfume Critic |
| David Buss | Sexuality | Sexuality |
| Robert Cooter | Economy and Politics | Law and Development |
| Dinesh D'Souza | Debate | Is Religion Good For Humanity? |
| Juan Ramón de la Fuente | Health | The Pains of Humanity |
| Daniel Dennett | Debate | Is Religion Good For Humanity? |
| John Esposito | Debate | Is Religion Good For Humanity? |
| Helen Fisher | ||
| Horacio Franco | Artistic Intervention | |
| Julio Frenk | Environment | The Planet’s Health |
| Gerd Gigerenzer | Psychology and Sociology | Character |
| Daniel Gilbert | Psychology and Sociology | Happiness |
| Dean Hamer | Psychology and Sociology | Genes |
| Dan Heath | Psychology and Sociology | Made To Be Remembered |
| Carl Honoré | Ethics and Philosophy | The Slow Movement |
| David Konzevik | Economy and Politics | Future |
| Lawrence M. Krauss | Science and Technology | Our Universe |
| Steven Landsburg | Psychology and Sociology | More Sex Is Safer Sex |
| Judith Eve Lipton | Brain | What Dominates Us? |
| David Livingstone Smith | Psychology and Sociology | Why Do We Lie? |
| Ingrid Mattson | Religion | The Islamic World |
| Mexico Ensemble | Artistic Intervention | |
| Claire Nouvian | Science and Technology | The World of the Ocean |
| Eric T. Olson | Brain | The Mind |
| Steven Pinker | Brain | Our Instincts |
| Eduard Punset | Psychology and Sociology | Falling Out of Love |
| Clotaire Rapaille | Ethics and Philosophy | Culture Codes |
| Roberto Rojo | Environment | The Incredible World of Insects |
| Enric Sala | Environment | The Planet |
| Robert Sapolsky | Psychology and Sociology | We the Primates |
| Michael Shermer | Debate | Is Religion Good For Humanity? |
| Talea Ensemble | Artistic Intervention | |
| Eugenio Toussaint | Artistic Intervention | |
| Villeda Childs: Ana Caridad Miguel Ángel | Artistic Intervention | |
| Voz en Punto | Artistic Intervention | |
| Jody Williams | Ethics and Philosophy | Peace |
| James Q. Wilson | Economy and Politics | Politics of Development |
| Benjamin Zander | Ethics and Philosophy | The Art of Possibilities |
2009
Theme: "Re-Evolution"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| Dan Ariely | Brain | The Irrational vs the Rational |
| Julian Baggini | Brain | Do You Think You Think What You Think? |
| Deborah Berebichez | Brain | Science In Heals |
| Steve Berlin Johnson | Brain | Everything Bad Can Be Good For You |
| Shmuley Boteach | Debate | Intelligent Design |
| Neville Brody | Brain | Creativity |
| Bruce Bueno de Mesquita | Science and Technology | The Predictable Future |
| Randy Cohen | Brain | The Good |
| Jerry Coyne | Science and Technology | Evolution: a Fact |
| Dinesh D'Souza | Debate | Intelligent Design |
| Frans de Waal | Science and Technology | The Third Chimpanzee |
| Daniel Dennett | Brain | Consciousness |
| Joseph Epstein | Psychology and Sociology | Envy |
| Cordelia Fine | Brain | The Mind |
| Helen Fisher | Brain | Why Do We Love? |
| Francis Fukuyama | Economy and Politics | Geopolitics of the Future |
| Karl Grammer | Brain | The Humane |
| Sam Harris | Debate | Intelligent Design |
| Marc Hauser | Brain | Does Morality Exist? |
| Christopher Hitchens | Debate | Intelligent Design |
| Bjarke Ingels | Science and Technology | Building a Better Future |
| Emmanuel Jal | Artistic Intervention | |
| Lena Maria Klingvall | Brain | Defiance |
| Catherine Mohr | Science and Technology | The Science of the Future |
| Opera Gala INBA: Encarnación Vázquez José Luis Ordoñez José Luis González | Artistic Intervention | |
| Carlos Prieto | Economy and Politics | Freedom and Culture |
| Eduard Punset | Brain | Memory |
| Clotaire Rapaille | Ethics and Philosophy | Culture Codes: UP |
| Ranulfo Romo | Brain | The Brain vs the Mind |
| Joseph Barry Schwartz | Psychology and Sociology | The Paradox of Choice |
| Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Art | The Black Swan |
| Tambuco | Artistic Intervention | |
| Carol Tavris | Ethics and Philosophy | Guilt |
| Jakob Trollback | Art | The Art of Video Art |
| Natasha Tsakos | Art | Contemporary Performance |
| Marije Vogelzang | Brain | Gluttony |
| Frank Warren | Ethics and Philosophy | PostSecret Our Secrets |
| Jamie Whyte | Brain | Crime against Logic |
| Robert Wright | Brain | The Logic of Man’s Destiny |
| Philip Zimbardo | Brain | Evil |
2010
Theme: "The Origins of the Future"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| Amir Aczel | Science and Technology | Physics For Everyone |
| Chris Anderson | Science and Technology | The World of the Future |
| Sir Tim Berners-Lee | Science and Technology | The Creation of the www |
| David Buss | Psychology and Sociology | Why Do Women Have Sex? |
| Richard Dawkins | Debate | Does the Universe Have a Purpose? |
| Jared Diamond | Brain | The Benefits of Being Multilingual |
| Ze Frank | Psychology and Sociology | The Power of a Smile |
| Jerome Isaac Friedman | Economy and Politics | The Everyday Economy |
| Malcolm Gladwell | Psychology and Sociology | Dangerous Optimism |
| Terry Grossman | Science and Technology | Eternal Youth |
| Carl Honoré | Education | Under Pressure |
| Sheena Iyengar | Psychology and Sociology | Choice under a Different Perspective |
| Emmanuel Jal | Art | Music with Meaning |
| Daniel Kahneman | Economy and Politics | Economy and Human Conduct |
| Michio Kaku | Science and Technology | The Present Future |
| John Kasaona | Economy and Politics | Alternatives That Change Lives |
| David Kirkpatrick | Science and Technology | The Facebook Effect |
| David Konzevik | Economy and Politics | |
| Nancy Lee Etcoff | ||
| Jonah Lehrer | Psychology and Sociology | How Do You We Choose? |
| Henry Markram | Brain | "The Blue Brain" Project |
| Mario J. Molina | Environment | Climatic Imperative |
| Paté de Fuá | Artistic Intervention | |
| Steven Pinker | Brain | More Future and Less Crime |
| Elizabeth Pisani | Health | Pandemics |
| Matt Ridley | Psychology and Sociology | Realistic Optimism |
| Sir Ken Robinson | Education | The Element |
| Hans Rosling | Brain | Statistics with Meaning |
| Daniel Schacter | Psychology and Sociology | The Seven Sins of Memory |
| Nancy Segal | Psychology and Sociology | Identical At Birth |
| Michael Shermer | Psychology and Sociology | For Skeptics |
| Rodolfo Stavenhagen | Psychology and Sociology | Justice |
| Sean Stephenson | Inspirational | Impossible Doesn’t Exist |
| Adora Svitak | Inspirational | Child Prodigy: a Message |
| Adrianna Svitak | Artistic Intervention | |
| Natasha Tsakos | Artistic Intervention | |
| Frank Warren | Psychology and Sociology | PostSecret |
2011
Theme: "Reset"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| Amir Aczel | Psychology and Sociology | Luck and Possibilities |
| Vicente Amigo | Artistic Intervention | |
| Óscar Bacallado de la Cruz | I’ll Tell You a Tale | |
| Isabel Behncke | Psychology and Sociology | Bonobos and Sex |
| Eythor Bender Tamara Mena | Science and Technology | The Technology of the Human Body |
| Arthur T. Benjamin | Science and Technology | The Magic of Numbers |
| David Buss | Psychology and Sociology | Why Women Have Sex |
| Dinesh D'Souza | Debate | Does Life Have a Purpose? |
| Craig Dykers | Architecture and Design | The Architect Behind the Museum At Ground Zero |
| David Eagleman | ||
| Juan Enríquez Cabot | Science and Technology | Living In the Future |
| Joseph Epstein | ||
| Joshua Foer | Brain | Memory For Everyone! |
| Dan Gilbert | Brain | Stumbling Upon Happiness |
| Dennis Hong | Science and Technology | Life For Robots |
| Jack Horner | Science and Technology | The Dinosaurs |
| Maz Jobrani | Entertainment | Comedy |
| Salman Khan | Education | Online Universal Education |
| David Konzevik | Economy and Politics | |
| Nicholas D. Kristof | The message | |
| Paul Krugman | Psychology and Sociology | The Liberal World |
| Robert Kurzban | Brain | Hypocrisy |
| La Fábrica de Tangos | Artistic Intervention | |
| Nancy Lee Etcoff | ||
| Steven Levitt | Psychology and Sociology | Why Society Acts the Way It Acts |
| David Livingstone Smith | Brain | Evil |
| Gary Marcus | Brain | The Origins of the Human Mind |
| Geoffrey Miller | Psychology and Sociology | Why Do We Shop? |
| Dambisa Moyo | Economy and Politics | The Paradox of Subsidizing the Poor |
| PES | Art | The Art of Animation |
| Mario Alonso Puig | Brain | Telling a Story |
| Eduard Punset | Brain | Falling Out of Love |
| Radaid | Artistic Intervention | |
| Deb Roy | Brain | The Origin of Language |
| Robert Sapolsky | ||
| Michael Shermer | Brain | Why We Believe What We Believe |
| Mark Spitz | Inspirational | Breaking Records |
| Morgan Spurlock | Art | Creativity in the Cinema |
| Oliver Stone | Art | Film As a Thought Catalyzer |
| Daniel Tammet | Brain | Beyond Autism |
| Jennifer Thompson Ronald Cotton | Ethics and Philosophy | Against the Death Penalty: The Real Case of an Innocent Man Sentenced to Death |
| Kjetil Trædal Thorsen | Architecture and Design | |
| Karla Wheelock | Inspirational | How to Reach the Peak of Success? |
| Esther Wojcicki | Education | Education Revolution |
| Rabbi David Wolpe | Debate | Does Life Have a Purpose? |
2012
Theme: "Magic of If"2013
Theme: "Dangerous Ideas"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| Manal Al-Sharif | Psychology and Sociology | "Women2Drive" |
| Jeff Allen | Entertainment | I Can Laugh About It Now |
| Arturo Álvarez-Buylla | Brain | Regenerative Medicine in Neurosurgery |
| Elena Álvarez-Buylla | Science and Technology | Plants Help Us Understand Stem Cells, Cancer and the Basis of a Healthy Diet. |
| Adrian Anantawan | Artistic Intervention | Moving Music Forward: Adaptation and Evolution |
| Jack Andraka | Health | Tapping Into the Hidden Innovator |
| Arcano | Artistic Intervention | Arcano Live |
| Josh Beckerman | Entertainment | The Foodie Magician |
| David Buss | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Shmuley Boteach | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Elisa Carrillo Cabrera | Artistic Intervention | Presentation to La Ciudad de las Ideas |
| Roz Chast | Architecture and Design | Theories of Everything |
| Deepak Chopra | Debate | The Encounter of the Century |
| Alain de Botton | Education | Anxiety in the Modern World |
| Richard Dawkins | Debate | The Encounter of the Century |
| Simon Aban Deng | Psychology and Sociology | Slavery in the XXI Century: Living Proof |
| Pere Estupinyà | Sexuality | S = EX2: The Science of Sex |
| Familydan | Inspirational | Fightthestroke |
| Alberto Brian Fernández | Science and Technology | Social Sense Vision |
| Helen Fisher | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Robert H. Frank | Economy and Politics | Success and Luck |
| Umi Garrett | Artistic Intervention | Piano Recital |
| Seth Godin | Economy and Politics | Dancing on the Edge of the Revolution |
| Alison Gopnik | Psychology and Sociology | The study of Children's Learning |
| José Luis Gutiérrez | Artistic Intervention | Cello Recital |
| Martie G. Haselton | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Amanda Hill | Science and Technology | Leading BBC Strategies |
| Salim Ismail | Science and Technology | Undertaken in Silicon Valley |
| Joseph Kim | Psychology and Sociology | What I Left Behind in North Korea |
| David Konzevik | Economy and Politics | |
| Jim Kwik | Education | SuperheroYou |
| Le Trio Joubran | Artistic Intervention | Palestinian Culture Music |
| Daniel Levitin | Brain | Your Brain on Music |
| Daniel Libeskind | Architecture and Design | Architecture and Memory |
| Alexa Meade | Art | The Canvas of the Body |
| Eduardo Merlo | Education | Puebla, Navel of the World |
| Kees Moeliker | Science and Technology | The Duck, His Mate, and the Pubic Lice |
| Kit Opie | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Ken Perenyi | Art | Art and Forgery |
| Daniel H. Pink | Economy and Politics | The Power of Noncommissioned Work |
| Robert Provine | Brain | Cracking Codes of Laughter |
| Elsa Punset | Brain | Make Information Knowledge |
| Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa | Brain | Neurosurgery and Oncology |
| Clotaire Rapaille | Psychology and Sociology | Move UP: Why Some Cultures Advance While Others Don’t |
| Preston Reed | Artistic Intervention | My Acoustic Technique Revolutionary |
| Alf Rehn | Psychology and Sociology | Dangerous Ideas |
| Daniel Reisel | Psychology and Sociology | The Power of Restorative Justice |
| Pedro Reyes | Art | Expanded Notion of Sculpture |
| Apollo Robbins | Psychology and Sociology | The Art of Misdirection |
| Jordan Romero | Inspirational | Conquering the Seven Summits of the World |
| Sanjit “Bunker” Roy | Education | Founded the Barefoot College |
| Christopher Ryan | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Robert Sapolsky | Debate | Monogamy vs Polygamy |
| Michael Shermer | Science and Technology | The Moral Arc of Science |
| Boyan Slat | Environment | How the Oceans Can Clean Themselves |
| Lior Suchard | Entertainment | Delusions |
| Talavya | Artistic Intervention | The Classical Art of Table |
| Marco Tempest | Science and Technology | Inventing the Impossible |
| Abdiel Vázquez | Artistic Intervention | Piano Recital |
| Xavier Velasco | Art | Suspicious Minds |
| Eric Whitacre | Art | Virtual Choir |
| Yo-yo Performer Black | Entertainment | Running the Yoyo |
2014
Theme: "Change the World"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Topic |
| John Aldridge | Inspirational | A Speck in the Sea |
| Guillermo Arriaga | Art | The Rigor in the Creation |
| Jolene Babyak | Inspirational | Growing up in "The Rock" Alcatraz |
| Roy Baumeister | Debate | Esteem in Education |
| Stefano Bertozzi | Health | Ebola |
| Paul Bloom | Psychology and Sociology | Angry |
| Shree Bose | Health | New Treatment of Ovarian Cancer |
| Kevin Briggs | Inspirational | Prevention and Intervention in Suicide |
| Baba Brinkman | Art | Looking a Revised Rap |
| Louann Brizendine | Psychology and Sociology | The Female and Male Brains in Jealousy |
| David Buss | Sexuality | Lust |
| Amy Chua | Debate | Esteem in Education |
| Billy Collins | Art | Poetry Presentation |
| Alberto Cruzprieto | Artistic Intervention | Piano Debate |
| Juan Ramón de la Fuente | Health | Aspen Institute Mexico. What Do We Do with Drugs? |
| Giles Duley | Art | Telling Stories. Making Changes |
| David Eagleman | Brain | Incognito |
| Zak Ebrahim | Inspirational | My Father Was a Terrorist. I Don’t |
| Erica Fernández | Psychology and Sociology | Mobilizing People to Take Action |
| John-Paul Flintoff | Inspirational | How Change the World? |
| Esteban Fuentes de María | Art | Art |
| Elizabeth Gilbert | Art | Against the Passion |
| Rebecca Goldstein | Debate | Esteem in Education |
| Gerardo Herrera | Science and Technology | The Liquid Universe, Higgs and Large Hadron Collider |
| Miguel Herrera | Inspirational | Life Experiences and Field |
| Pablo Herreros | Science and Technology | I, Monkey. Evolution of Humans and Primates |
| Werner Herzog | Art | Talking Cinema and Experiences |
| Carl Hoffman | Science and Technology | Highly Dangerous Journeys |
| Carl Honoré | Debate | Esteem in Education |
| Tom Hugh-Jones | Environment | Life Story: Filming Wildlife |
| Héctor Infazón | Artistic Intervention | Piano Debate |
| Ingoma Nshya | Artistic Intervention | Musical Performance |
| Salim Ismail | Economy and Politics | Exponential Organizations |
| Tim Jenison | Art | Tim’s Vermeer |
| Sarah Jones | Art | Performance. How Change The World? |
| Jeremy Kasdin | Science and Technology | Imagining Earths Around Other Stars. Images of Exoplanets |
| Piper Kerman | Inspirational | My Year in Women’s Federal Prison |
| Chris Kluwe | Psychology and Sociology | Virtual Reality and Society |
| David Konzevik | Economy and Politics | How Change Your Chip? |
| Lawrence Krauss | Science and Technology | Future of the Universe |
| David Kropfitsch | Artistic Intervention | Violin Recital |
| Jakob Kropfitsch | Artistic Intervention | Piano Recital |
| Johannes Kropfitsch | Artistic Intervention | Piano Recital |
| David Kwong | Entertainment | Deceptions and Crosswords |
| Tan Le | Science and Technology | Digital Technology of Brain |
| Cassandra Lin | Environment | Turn Grease into Fuel Project |
| Thalma Lobel | Psychology and Sociology | Sensation: The Influence of Our Senses in Our Lives |
| Lombard Twins | Artistic Intervention | Song and Fugue at Lombard Way |
| Paulo Lozano Tovar | Science and Technology | Democratizing Space |
| Jon Mooallem | Environment | Natural Ideas |
| Steve Moore | Economy and Politics | Discussing Economic Inequality with Robert Reich |
| Rita Moreno | Art | My Story |
| Ethan Nadelmann | Economy and Politics | Drug Policy Reform |
| Chris Nicola | Inspirational | The Secret of The Priest’s Grotto. Story of Survival in Caves in the Era of the Holocaust |
| Robert Reich | Economy and Politics | Discussing Economic Inequality with Steve Moore |
| Paul Rozin | Psychology and Sociology | Gluttony |
| Ricardo Salinas Pliego | Economy and Politics | How Change Your Chip? |
| Michael Shermer | Ethics and Philosophy | God |
| Thomas Suarez | Science and Technology | The Importance of Introducing Students to the Programming |
| Jill Bolte Taylor | Brain | My Stroke of Insight |
| Charlie Todd | Entertainment | Improv Everywhere: Causing Scenes |
| Richard Turere | Environment | Lion Lights |
| Armando Vera | Entertainment | Magic Hands |
| Léo Verrier | Art | Making Short Films |
| Esther Wojcicki | Debate | Esteem in Education |
| Farley Ziegler | Art | Tim’s Vermeer |
2015
Theme: "What’s the Point?"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Description |
| Escala | Art | All-female electric string quartet who performed on the finals of Britain’s Got Talent |
| Lawrence M. Krauss | Science | Cosmologist, particle physicist, and research of dark matter |
| Donald D. Hoffman | Brain | Cognitive scientist working in visual perception, attention and awareness |
| David Konzevik | Economics | Economist of renacentists culture |
| Gad Saad | Psychology | Psychologist specializing in the influence of advertising |
| José Miguel Sokoloff | Art | Creative president of Lowe Global Creative Council and Co.; activist in Colombia |
| Jason Padgett | Science | Mathematician and artist with acquired Savant syndrome |
| NoCoasters Quartet | Entertainment | Jazz quartet |
| Accent | Entertainment | Music group with singers from five countries |
| Jimmy Nelson | Art | Photographer |
| Maz Jobrani | Entertainment | Actor and comedian; founder of the Axis of Evil comedy tour |
| Kip Thorne | Science | Physicist known for theories of time travel |
| Adam Alter | Psychology | Working in human cognition and behavior |
| Patch Adams | Inspirational | Physician known for treating patients with laughter |
| Shlomo Kahn | Entertainment | Beatbox artist |
| Daniela Liebman | Wunder-18 | Piano prodigy |
| Trisha Prabhu | Wunder-18 | Entrepreneur seeking to prevent cyberbullying |
| Raymond Wang | Wunder-18 | Inventor of solutions in renewable energy, environmental management and biomechanics |
| Ryan Hreljac | Wunder-18 | Water activist in Africa |
| Karla Kanora | Entertainment | Singer and goodwill ambassador for UNICEF |
| Damon Horowitz | Science | Thinker on the intersection of technology and humanities |
| Peter Singer | Ethics and Phl. | Researcher of philosophy, ethics and bioethics |
| António Damásio | Brain | Neuroscientist working on brain processes underlying emotion |
| Esteban Hernández | Mex-I-Can | Ballet dancer from the San Francisco Ballet |
| Isaac Hernández | Mex-I-Can | Principal dancer of the English National Ballet; producer of The Despertares show; winner of 13 golden medals |
| Jurgita Dronina | Art | Principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada; winner of the Alexander Radius prize |
| Yuan Yuan Tan | Art | Principal dancer of the San Francisco Ballet Company; winner of the Prix Nijinsky |
| Lorena Ochoa | Mex-I-Can | Mexican golfer, winner of two majors women’s British Open |
| Jorge Soto | Mex-I-Can | Technology entrepreneur; co-founder of Miroculus, a company working to detect blood cancers |
| Luis Roberto Flores Castillo | Mex-I-Can | Scientific leader of the European Organization for Nuclear Research |
| Alejandro Madrigal | Mex-I-Can | Researcher in stem cells and cell regeneration therapy |
| Rodrigo Medellin | Mex-I-Can | Researcher on the study and conservation of mammals, particularly bats |
| Mario Rojas | Art | Tenor vocalist |
| Rebeca de Rueda | Art | Mexican soprano vocalist |
| Andrés Sarre | Art | Pianist; founder of Taller Lirico de Jalisco and opera promoter |
| José A. Meade | Mex-I-Can | Secretary of Finance to the government of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto |
| Melody Yang | Entertainment | Soap bubble artist |
| Sugata Mitra | Education | Researcher into new information technology-based teaching methods for children |
| Susana Martínez Conde | Brain | Neurologist specializing in mind tricks and how the brain functions when perceiving optical illusions |
| Stephen Macknik | Brain | Neurologist specializing in illusions and attentional misdirection during stage magic performances |
| Simon Pierro | Entertainment | Digital tablets |
| Roman Mars | Technology | US radio host of the show 99% Invisible |
| Esther Perel | Psychology | Psychotherapist specializing in erotically smart relationships |
| Pussy Riot | Inspirational | Activist group opposing Russian human rights violations |
| César Gaviria | Debates | Former president of Colombia; former Secretary General of the Organization of American States |
| Ruth Dreifuss | Debates | Former president of the Swiss confederation |
| Vicente Fox | Debates | Former president of Mexico |
| Ricardo Salinas P. | Debates | President of Grupo Salinas and co-creator of La Ciudad de las Ideas |
| Mark Kleiman | Debates | Expert in crime reduction, justice, and drug policy; chairman of Botec Analysis |
| Antonio Mazzitelli | Debates | United Nations office representative on crime and drugs liaison and partnership office in Mexico |
| Viridiana Ríos | Debates | CEO of México ¿cómo vamos?, expert in Mexico's citizen security and rule of law |
| Kevin A. Sabet | Debates | Psychiatrist working in drug policy; US presidential adviser and co-founder of the Sam project |
| Orquesta Esperanza Azteca | Art | Children and youth musicians orchestra |
| Tara Lynn Orr | Art | Writer and producer of the short film "Bis Gleich" |
| Angelique Kidjo | Art | Double Grammy award winner |
| Gloria Álvarez | Inspirational | Political scientist; critic of systems and populist governments in Latin America |
| Ronald Heifetz | Economics | Advisor and expert on public leadership and transformation methods |
| Cass Sunstein | Politics | Lawyer specializing in US constitutional processes, legislation in several countries, and freedom |
| Juliana D'Agostini | Art | Pianist; winner of Brazilian young award in 2014 |
| Verne Troyer | Entertainment | Actor known for playing "Mini-Me" in the Austin Powers movies |
| Daniel Kish | Science | Inventor of a biological sonar for blind people and founder of World Access for the Blind |
| Jo Berry | Inspirational | Founder of Building Bridges for Peace; professional speaker |
| Patrick Magee | Inspirational | Former member of the Irish Republican Army, supporter of peace and reconciliation in Ireland |
2016
Theme: "Play the Game"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Description |
| MAYUMANA | Art | Dance and percussion group |
| Tim Urban | Science | Bloggers; creator of the web "Wait But Why" |
| Judit Polgar | Science | Greatest female chess player of all time |
| Adam Gopnik | Brain | Social commentator and essayist for The New Yorker |
| Blitz the Ambassador | Entertainment | Hip hop artist |
| Derek Wang | Wunder-18 | Pianist; scholar of The Lang Lang foundation |
| Ximena Sariñana | Entertainment | Singer and actress winner of MTV awards, nominated for Grammy awards and Latin Grammy awards |
| Niall Ferguson | Inspirational | Historian and writer specializing in economic and financial history and British and American imperialism |
| Negin Farsad | Entertainment | Comedian |
| Rafael Fonseca | Mex-I-Can | Consultant at the Mayo Clinic and investigator of cell plasma, multiple myeloma, and bone myeloma |
| Lakshmi Pratury | Science | CEO of INK |
| Duo Straight Up | Entertainment | Circus performers and acrobats |
| Lane Sutton | Wunder-18 | Consultant in business, social networking and marketing |
| Beau Lotto and Amy O'Toole | Wunder-18 | Neuroscientist specializing in the biology and psychology of perception, and one of the world’s youngest published female scientists |
| Dafne Almazán | Wunder-18 | World’s youngest psychology mayor |
| William Gadoury | Wunder-18 | Discoverer of unexplored archaeological site of the ancient Maya civilization |
| Emmanuel Bishop | Wunder-18 | Violin prodigy, polyglot and speaker on Down syndrome |
| Tyler Cowen | Debates | Economist and free market advocate |
| Brian Little | Psychology | Professor and researcher of personality and well-being |
| Elizabeth Plank | Science | American journalist; social justice advocate and activist |
| Kenneth Lacovara | Science | Paleontologist; discover of a new dinosaur species |
| Uri Levine | Science | Entrepreneur; creator of the Waze app; chairman of Feex |
| La Santa Cecilia | Entertainment | Musician of world music, Latin and rock |
| Manuel Gutiérrez Novelo | Mex-I-Can | Inventor of immersive experience and virtual reality devices; co-founder of ImmersiON-Vrelia |
| Miguel Alcubierre Moya | Mex-I-Can | Theoretical physicist known for a mathematical model allowing faster-than-light travel |
| Guillermo de Anda | Mex-I-Can | Underwater archaeologist; researcher at the National Institute of Anthropology and History |
| Gerardo Ceballos | Mex-I-Can | Researcher and conservation advocate |
| Norma Romero | Mex-I-Can | Coordinator of Las Patronas, which provides group assistance to migrants; human rights promoter |
| Julieta Venegas | Entertainment | Singer and composer |
| Ronald Arkin | Debates | Robotics researcher |
| James Bessen | Debates | Economist studying the impact of technology and innovation in the workforce |
| Matt Ridley | Debates | Author and journalist specializing in scientific dissemination |
| Nick Bostrom | Debates | Philosopher at Oxford University, known for works on existential risk, transhumanism, and the risks of superintelligence |
| Martin Ford | Debates | Futurist focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence and robotics on society and the economy |
| Tyler Cowen | Debates | Economist; free market advocate |
| Butterscotch | Art | Female beatbox artist |
| Riccardo Sabatini | Science | Physicist specializing in numerical modeling of materials, computational genomics, and food markets |
| Maria Konnikova | Art | Science and psychology creative writer; author of Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes |
| Franz Freudenthal and Alexandra Heath | Science | Medic and inventor of devices for the treatment of congenital heart disease in children; co-founder of Fundación Cardioinfantil La Paz. Doctor studying heart disease in Bolivia, and co-founder of Fundación Cardioinfantil La Paz. |
| Tara Hunt | Science | Online marketing expert and authority on online communities |
| Mark Pollock | Inspirational | First blind man to race to the South Pole |
2017
Theme: "Beyond X"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Description |
| Mark J. Post | Science | Developer of the first artificial hamburger |
| Kris Verburgh | Science | Developer of a new discipline called Nutrigerontology, which studies the impact of diet in aging and in elderly associated diseases. |
| Juan Enríquez Cabot | Biology | Considered a global authority in uses and benefits of genome research. |
| Edvard Moser | Science | 2014 Medicine Nobel Prize for the discovery of an "Internal GPS" which makes us able to orientate in space. |
| David Gross | Science | 2004 Physics Nobel Prize for the discovery of an asymptotic liberty |
| Robert Sawyer | Art | Fantasy and Science fiction writer, all-time greatest award winner. His novels have been published in 20 languages and read on board of a spacecraft |
| Helen Fisher | Biology | Maximum exponent of love chemistry, pioneer in human personality biology and leadership neurochemistry. |
| Dan Ariely | Science | One of the most important specialists in behavioral economics and irrationality in decision-making. |
| Adam Riess | Science | 2011 Physics Nobel Prize for demonstrating the accelerated expansion of the Universe |
| Alejandro Aravena | Architecture | Pritzker Award winner, curator of the 15th Venice Biennale of Architecture |
| Steven Pinker | Science | One of the Time's 100 Most Influential People. Indispensable writer to understand mind and human nature |
| Lucien Engelen | Technology | Ambassador for the Future Medicine and the Participative Health System |
| Chandler Burr | Journalist and Perfume Curator | |
| Robert Sapolsky | Biology | Distinguished academic in Biology and Neurology |
| David Buss | Psychology | Professor of Social Psychology and Sociological writer |
| Bjarke Ingels | Architecture | Danish architect, he runs Bjarke Ingels Group, BIG |
| Jerry Coyne | Biology | Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology |
| Marco Tempest | Entertainment | Known for his multimedia magic and the use of interactive technology and infography to do his magic |
| Adam Pesapane | Art | Artist, animator, and director of several short films and publicitary ads. |
| Escala | Entertainment | Successful female electric string quartet, renowned for their presentation in the television show Britain's Got Talent |
| Salim Ismail | Global Ambassador and CEO/Founder of Singularity University | |
| Esther Perel | Psychology | World leading Psychotherapist in erotically intelligent relationships and the complex science behind human interaction |
| Kevin Kelly | Founder and CEO of Wired magazine. Writer and student of Asian cultures and digital culture | |
| Di-Ann Eisnor | Science | Chief of global alliances for WAZE. He worked with governments, international media and communitary local groups. He has led the Global Connected Citizens program for the company to make the affordable motility affordable |
| David Eagleman | Science | Neuroscientist explorer of the mysteries of the brain |
2018
Theme: "The Burning Questions"| Speakers | CDI Areas | Description |
| NOHBORDS | Art | Artistic project set in Mexico City |
| Ping Fu | Science | She is the co-founder of 3D software development company |
| John R. Lott Jr. | Economics | Is an economist and a world-recognized expert on guns and crime |
| Seth Stephens Davidowitz | Science | He uses Internet data, such as Google searches, to discover the secrets of human nature |
| Chetna Sinha | Inspirational | Activist, farmer and banker, works for social change. In 1996, he founded the Mann Deshi Foundation with the objective of empowering rural women economically and socially |
| OTTO | Art | He has participated in several cultural and social festivals |
| Andrew Von Oeyen | Art | Andrew von Oeyen has established himself as one of the most captivating pianists of his generation |
| Chris Sheldrick | Science | Co-founder and CEO of what3words, the simplest way to talk about location |
| David Sumpter | Science | He is a professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, where he directs the collective Behavior Research Group |
| Mo Gawdat | Science | Mo Gawdat has spent most of his career in three large technology companies with a great impact in the world we live in: IBM, Microsoft and Google |
| Orin Grossman | Art | He has been chosen to play at the Honors of Arts and Culture Awards in New York City, he has played with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in Russia. |
| Shigeru Ban | Architeture | Pritzker Prize 2014. Became consultant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1995 and established the NGO, Voluntary Architects´ Network |
| Vuela Alto | Entertainment | Using only the sound our voices make, they interpret any music genre and style |
| Gerardo Jiménez | Biology | He carried out the first medical analysis of the human genome at a worldwide scale. He founded the National Institute of Genomic Medicine and directed the Project of the Genome Map of Mexicans. |
| José Villela | Inpirational | Specialist in psychiatry, lecturer, writer and member of the swimming team of the Mexican Paralympic Committee |
| Luis Armando Bravo Castillo | Science | He's an Engineer in Bionics graduated of the National Polytechnic Institute |
| Piolo Juvera | Entretaiment | Mexican improviser with over 18 years of experience. He is the director of his own company and theatrical improvisation school: ImproVisa |
| Carmen Victoria Felix | Mex-I-Can | Scientist, engineer and space professional |
| Il Grande Piano | Entertainment | A musical keyboard created in 2011 by the show company Faber Teatro, based in Cremona, Italy |
| Barry Barish | Science | Nobel Prize in Physics for the detection of gravitational waves, received the Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research |
| Vishaan Chakrabarti | Art | |
| Aaswath Raman | Science | A passionate scientist for the mitigation of climate change through the use of light and heat |
| Karen Lloyd | Science | Study new groups of microbes in the biosphere of the deep surface of the Earth |
| Carol Guzy | Art | She is the only journalist who has received four times the Pulitzer Prize |
| Stephen D. Smith | Politics | Smith founded the United Kingdom Holocaust Center in Nottinghamshire, England and co-founded the Aegis Trust for the prevention of crimes against humanity and genocide |
| Jimmy Nelson | Art | Experienced photographer of unimaginable places and humanity’s amazing cultural world heritage |
| Stephanie Van der Wiel | Art | Recognized internationally for her photographic work that sheds light on indigenous cultures |
| Constanza Orbaiz | Inspirational | When she was born, she had a lack of oxygen, which caused her to have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, which affected her whole motor part |
| Isaac Lidsky | Inspirational | Author of the book: Eyes Wide Open Isaac Lidsky is a corporate speaker, author and entrepreneur. He is the only blind person who serves as a paralegal to the US Supreme Court. UU |
| Chester Santos | Neuroscience | Chester Santos also known as “The International Man of Memory” |
| Marcin Patrzalek | Art | Marcin Patrzałek is a fingerstyle guitarist and winner of the biggest Polish TV talent show “Must be The Music |
| Floyd Romesberg | Science | Romesberg's research laboratory applies organic chemistry, microbiology, non-linear optical and genetic spectroscopy to study different aspects of evolution |
| Andrew Hessel | Science | CEO of Humane Genomics Inc. company that develops virus-based therapies for cancer, starting with dogs. He was the Distinguished Researcher of Autodesk Life Sciences |
| Hendrik Jan Grievink | Science | Playtopia Project Designer and graphic editor |
| Nada Al-Nashif | Ethics and Phl | Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO |
| Robot Sophia | Science | Sophia is Hanson Robotics’ most advanced human-like robot, created by combining break- through innovations in robotics, AI, and artistry |
| Nadine Strossen | Debate | Professor, President of the School of Law of New York, is an outstanding constitutional and academic jurisprudence and civil liberties activist |
| Frank Furedi | Sociology | Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Kent and author of On Tolerance: in Defense of Moral Independence |
| Brendan O'Neill | Debate | Editor of Spiked, the online magazine that is based in London but which speaks to the world |
| Zachary Wood | Politics | Assistant editor at The Atlantic, fellow Robert L. Bartley in The Wall Street Journal, a graduate of Williams College. |
| Ariel Gelblung | Ethics and Phl | Founding member of the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Latin America and has been Secretary of the Board of Directors since the mid-nineties. |
| Axel Kaiser | Debate | He is the executive director and co-founder of the Foundation for Progress, one of the most influential classical liberal research centers in Latin America |
| Sergio Sarmiento | Art | He's one of Mexico’s most distinguished journalists and editors |
| Miguel Carbonell | Debate | He has a Law Degree from the Faculty of Law of the UNAM and a PhD in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. |
| Marc Lapadula | Art | Professor in the Film Studies program at Yale University |
| César Hidalgo | Science | He leads the group learning group at MIT Media Lab and is an associate professor of arts and sciences in the media at MIT |
| Nora Atkinson | Art | She is Lloyd Herman's art curator at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and was named in 2018 Washingtonian magazine's "Best Boundary-Pushing Curator." |
| Moshe Safdie | Art | Renowned architect, creator of Habitat 67 and socially responsible design urbanist |
| Orquesta Esperanza Azteca | Art | "Esperanza Azteca: Touching Lives." Better human beings through music |
| Ziad Ahmed | Wunder-18 | Second-year American-Muslim student at Yale University; known for being a student activist, entrepreneur and speaker |
| Alex Wulff | Wunder-18 | In recent years, he has created many different projects and adventures, from assistive technology for blind people to a mobile application development business |
| Alyssa Carson | Wunder-18 | She is an aspiring astronaut and American lecturer |
| Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López | Wunder-18 | She is a girl who lives in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. She is currently in 4thgrade of Elementary School |
| Beau Dermott | Entertainment | Beau shot to fame when her electrifying audition on BGT earned her the golden buzzer from judge Amanda Holden – taking her straight into the live finals |
| César Silveyra | Entertainment | Rapper, psychologist and dance therapist. It is dedicated to discover and enjoy art, movement and rap, integrating it with psychology |
| David Livingstone Smith | Psychology | Director The Human Nature Project |
| Héctor Martinez | Technology | CTO and Co-Founder of CELLINK, Martínez has contributed with his knowledge of tissue engineering and in the field of 3D Bioprinting. |
2019
Theme: This Is Epic!| Speakers | CDI Areas | Descriptions |
| Rigoberta Menchú | Inspirational | Nobel Peace Prize and Life Founder of the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation |
| Siddhartha Mukherjee | Science | Physician, oncologist and Pulitzer winning author |
| Tal Ben-Shahar | Entertainment | Professor of the most popular course at Harvard University. Co-founder and Learning Director of the Happiness Studies Academy, Potentialife, Maytiv and Happier.TV |
| Nicolás Celis y Gabriela Rodríguez | Art | Producers of the movie “Roma”, winner of the 2019 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film |
| Stefan Sagmeister | Art | Art designer for the Rolling Stones, HBO and the Guggenheim Museum. Winner of three GRAMMY awards |
| Javier Santaolalla | Science | Renowned scientific disseminator and former member of the CERN work team |
| Sean Spicer | Politics | Former White House Press Secretary at the Trump Administration |
| Benjamín Romano | Architecture | Winner of the International Highrise Award, which distinguishes the best skyscraper in the world for Torre Reforma Project |
| Brian Selznick | Art | Illustrator and author of children's books, including "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", winner of the Caldecott medal |
| Guy Nattiv | Art | Winner of the Academy Award 2019 for 'Best Shortfilm' by Skin |
| Erwin McManus | Inspirational | Cultural pioneer in the exploration of the human spirit and the study of men |
| Berlin Youth Ballet | Art | Young, elite dancers from the Berlin State Ballet School |
| Valeria Souza | Biology | Mexican scientist focused on Evolutionary Ecology and Molecular Evolution |
| Toni McFadden | Debate | Motivational Speaker, involved on the improvement of social relationships |
| Stephanie Gray | Debate | Human rights defender in Pro-Life issues. Honorary guest on Google Talks |
| Star Parker | Debate | She founded the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, an institute dedicated to eliminate poverty |
| Simon Ghraichy | Art | Considered the most important Mexican pianist of his generation |
| Sharon Zaga | Mex-I-Can | She founded the Museum Memoria y Tolerancia with the idea of creating awareness about tolerance and discrimination |
| Media Luna | Art | Musical group that involves a rhythmic fusion, they play diverse musical genres in a creative, innovative and fun way |
| Mariana Lin | Art | Writer involved in Artificial Intelligence issues and international visual projects |
| Mara Clarke | Debate | Abortion activist, founder and director of Abortion Support Network |
| Maggy Krell | Debate | Senior Planned Parenthood Attorney |
| Maanasa Mendu | Wunder-18 | Creator of a tool capable of transporting electricity to developing countries |
| John de Lancie | Art | Film and Television actor. Co-Founder along with Leonard Nimoy of Alien Voices |
| Eduardo Calixto | Mex-I-Can | Active member of the Society for Neuroscience and the Mexican Society of Physiological Sciences |
| Diego Prilusky | Technology | Chief Creative and GM Intel Studios |
| Bailarines de Les Grands Ballets Canadiens | Art | Successful and renowned Quebecois Ballet company whose official residence is at Place D'Arts in Montreal, CA |
| Jamie Metzl | Science | Future and Technology Expert. Member of the Advisory Committee of Experts of the World Health Organization to address issues on the edition of the human genome |
| Andrew Marantz | Art | Important staff member of the renowned magazine The New Yorker |
| Yusef Salaam | Politics | Human Rights defender and open critic of the United States Penitentiary System |
| Martín Iglesias | Mex-I-Can | Mexican surgeon who successfully performed the first hand transplant |
| Dylan Thuras | Entertainment | Co-Author of the New York Times Bestseller, Atlas Obscura and The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid. |
| Pepe Soho | Art | One of the most famous mexican photographers |
| Icarian Games | Entertainment | Performance act that is part of 'JOYÀ' a theatrical and culinary experience of Cirque du Soleil in the Riviera Maya |
| David Cox | Science | Director of the IA project of MIT-IBM-Watson. Associate Professor of the Berkman-Klein Center for the Internet and the Harvard University Society and Contributor in the World Economic Forum Agenda |
| Tanmay Bakshi | Wunder-18 | Author of the programming book Hello Swift! One of the youngest advisers of the IBM technology compan |
| EMPRESS | Art | Renonwed ballerina and composer. Member of the original cast in the show 'An American in Paris', winner of a Tony Award |
| Gary Leschinsky | Wunder-18 | Inventor of A-Watch, a technology that identifies common allergy symptoms in young children |
| Dave Williams | Science | Canadian astronaut with a record that includes 687 hours in space, three spacewalks with a total of 18 hrs. He is the first non-American person to obtain a management position at NASA in 2001 |
| Danielle Citron | Politics | Vice President of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of civil rights and civil liberties on the web |
| Catherine Hakim | Sexualiy | Vanguardist Sociologist and Researcher of the London School of Economics |
| Natalie & Catherine Mohr | Entertainment | Two of the world's most creative storytellers |
| Carme Pinós | Architecture | Renowned architect who won the National Architecture Award in 1995 |
| John Gray | Ethics and Phl | Writer of the well-known New York Times Bestseller "Men are from Mars, Women Are from Venus" whose sales have sold more than 15 million copies |
| William Sieghart | Art | National Poetry Day installer and founder of Forward Prize in the Poetry category |
| Carl Joshua Ncube | Entertainment | Comedian committed to the social rights of Zimbabwe |
| Marta Páramo | Debate | She has a bachelor degree in Philosophy by the San Damasco University in Madrid, Master in Education and Philosophy professor at the San Ignacio de Loyola school. |
| David Hughes | Science | Director and Principal Investigator of the Great Millimeter Telescope, Alfonso Serrano |
| Daniela Demesa & Marco Graf | Wunder-18 | Young cast of the movie Roma |
| Charles Renfro | Architecture | Architect and member of the Lincoln Center redevelopment team in New York |
| Adhara Pérez Sánchez | Wunder-18 | She is eight years old and studies Industrial Systems Engineering at CNCI, and Industrial Engineering focused on mathematics. She has autistic spectrum and wrote a book entitled "No te rindas." |
| Sergio Sarmiento | Art | He's one of Mexico’s most distinguished journalists and editors |
| Marc Lapadula | Art | Professor in the Film Studies program at Yale University |
| Michelle Caruso | Politics | She's the founder of MCC Productions, a media company specializing in content creation |
| Katherine Corcoran | Politics | Expert in violence against the press. Associate Director for International Media Relations at the University of Notre Dame |
| Ricardo Benjamín Salinas Pliego | Debate | President of Grupo Salinas and co-creator of La Ciudad de las Ideas |
| Carl Honoré | Ethics and Phl | Bestseller author and Exponent of the "Slow Movement" that has permeated the globe with a striking philosophy |
| Orquesta Sinfónica Esperanza Azteca | Art | "Esperanza Azteca: Touching Lives." Better human beings through music |
| Gloria Álvarez | Debate | Politician, Researcher and Founder of the environmental movement "Plant 1000 Trees" |
| Adam Pesapane | Art | American animator director of numerous stop-motion short films. He has worked with brands like YouTube & Honda |
| Moran Cerf | Science | A hacker that became a neuroscientist |
| Luis Villa Roa | Wunder-18 | One of the most recognized artistic talents in Mexico |
| The Radio Science Orchestra | Art | A British space-age pop ensemble inspired by the unexpected links between the exploration of space and the dawn of electronic music |
| Robyn Blumner | Debate | President and CEO of the Center for Inquiry |