Islamabad: SOT Events launched its twentieth edition, Possible Worlds, in Islamabad on 24 October, bringing together leading voices from diverse fields for a day of conversations on the future of humanity.
Possible Worlds explores the future as a range of possibilities shaped by the decisions we make today. The Islamabad event, the first of three with Lahore and Karachi to follow – featured eight sessions with conversations ranging from the future of learning and work, climate resilience and online safety to artificial intelligence, beauty, geopolitics, conflict, and the arts. The event drew audiences from Islamabad and its surrounds, who showed up in large numbers despite the stormy weather.
Among the highlights was ‘Who Owns Imagination?’, a distinctive blend of discussion and music featuring Ali Azmat alongside voices from music and the arts. The session was curated in collaboration with the Lahore Biennale Foundation. It explored AI’s impact on creativity and expression, with a live DJ performance bringing these questions to life, and the weather adding to the energy of the occasion.
A conversation with aestheticians and psychologists garnered a lot of interest; it examined the pressures surrounding ideal appearance, AI’s role in creating such standards, and the physical and psychological costs of pursuing it. An insightful debate examined whether AI is making us less human, weighing its potential against the risks to creativity, judgement, and human connection. Syed Talat Hussain led a discussion with Dr Moeed Yusuf, Fahd Husain and Munizae Jahangir on shifting global power and the implications of an increasingly uncertain world.
Other discussions addressed urgent questions for families and communities. ‘Growing Up Online’ explored the shared responsibility for protecting children from digital harm, while ‘Communities on the Climate Frontline’ considered how those most exposed to climate shocks can build resilience.
Organised by Beaconhouse Group, SOT Events has evolved over more than 25 years into one of Pakistan’s most significant platforms for open, public discourse. This year, SOT is being held across three cities; Possible Worlds now heads to Lahore on 28 and 29 November at Faletti’s Hotel, with two days of conversations, debates, performances and interactive experiences, followed by Karachi on 12 December at Beach Luxury Hotel.
Speaking about this year’s theme, Chair SOT Events and CEO Beaconhouse, Kasim Kasuri said, “SOT has always created space to question, challenge and exchange ideas openly. Taking Possible Worlds to three cities allows us to widen that exchange and bring more people into conversations that will ultimately affect us all.”
UBL is the Lead Sponsor of SOT Events 2026, supporting the event series across all three cities.
