The Future of Culture in the digital age with João Vasconcelos

The role of culture and technological innovation in the development of contemporary societies was the central topic of discussion during the fourth session of City Café, focusing on the use of technology in the creation of new forms of art, culture, and urban expression.

Introducing the theme, guest speaker João Vasconcelos recalled that the project he founded around 15 years ago – Canal 180 – was an innovative response to the crisis of the traditional television model. With a digital and collaborative approach, this channel positioned itself as a platform for promoting creativity and culture, emphasising the intersection of visual arts, design, music, and new media. 

“What motivated us to launch Canal 180 was the belief that technology could be used as a tool for cultural democratisation and experimentation,” he explained, adding that “the digital revolution was not only technological, but also a shift in the way we interact, produce, and distribute culture.”

Throughout the session, the following key topics were highlighted:

• The internet as a driver of change: the internet evolved from a tool for consultation into a space for active and collaborative participation. This transition enabled the emergence of new creators and formats, decentralising access to cultural production.
• Porto – from adversity to cultural renewal: the consolidation of various projects (such as Canal 180) occurred during a period of economic fragility. Nevertheless, this context proved fertile ground for the emergence of new cultural dynamics, such as the Primavera Sound music festival, which played a central role in revitalising the city’s artistic and cultural offering, boosting the local economy and repositioning Porto on the European cultural map.
• Technology as a creative instrument: the integration of technology into the artistic process has expanded the boundaries of creation and experimentation. Tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, algorithms, and virtual reality are being used to explore new visual and sensory languages. However, it is important to recognise that these advances also raise ethical and social concerns, particularly around privacy, sustainability, and environmental impact.
• The challenge of acceleration: the speed of technological innovation poses significant challenges to the responsiveness of social, legal, and educational structures. The increasing centralisation of digital platforms, the precariousness of cultural professionals, and the early exposure of children to digital technologies are issues that call for thoughtful regulation.
• Digital culture and urban life: despite growing digitalisation, public spaces are increasingly valued as places of encounter, cultural enjoyment, and community building. This is reflected in a growing demand for in-person events — concerts, exhibitions, debates — as a reaction to the saturation of digital consumption.
• Curatorship and cultural responsibility: informed content selection and critical mediation are essential to ensure diversity, pluralism, and quality in the cultural offering. Trust in programmers, curators, and institutions reinforces the importance of human mediation in an increasingly automated world.

At the end of the session, João Vasconcelos opened the floor for discussion with a provocative question: “What is the greatest invention: the internet or the weekend?”

This rhetorical question prompted the audience to reflect on how certain social innovations — such as the concept of the weekend — may have an impact as significant as, or even greater than, technological innovations like the internet, despite the latter often being more highly valued. It also sparked discussion around the need to preserve time and space for creativity, thought, and well-being in an increasingly fast-paced world.

“In the face of these challenges, it is vital to promote a culture that values both innovation and critical reflection. Technology must serve human development — not the other way around,” the speaker concluded.

The final session of this City Café series is scheduled for the 20th of May, featuring Guilherme Mota on the theme “Exploring AI to Tackle Urban Challenges”, taking place at the Porto Innovation Hub at 1:30 p.m.