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Karine Safa

Karine Safa

Philosopher, essayist and keynote speaker

Philosopher, essayist and keynote speaker, Karine Safa sheds light on today's major transformations through the lens of Renaissance humanism.

In an age of artificial intelligence, multiple crises and uncertainty, she invites organizations to rediscover the power of imagination, meaning and collective boldness.

Her approach connects philosophy, innovation, foresight and organizational transformation to help leaders, institutions and teams rethink the future.

Languages
French / Français
Duration
45 to 90 minutes
Formats
Conference, Keynote, Panel discussion, Workshop

Biography

Une philosophe de la Renaissance pour notre époque

Holding a PhD in philosophy from Paris-Sorbonne University and a specialized master's degree in publishing management from ESCP, Karine Safa has built a rare career at the crossroads of research, writing, publishing and knowledge transmission.

A research associate at the CNRS, journalist, editor, author and keynote speaker, she specializes in Renaissance humanism and in the links between creativity, innovation and new technologies.

Faire des crises des occasions d’inventer

Her core idea is powerful: our time deeply resembles the Renaissance. Like the 15th century, we are living through technological, cultural, geopolitical and anthropological upheavals.

Where many see only chaos or decline, Karine Safa shows that periods of uncertainty can become ages of invention, creativity and collective renewal.

Penser l’humanisme à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle

At a time of AI, NBIC technologies, transhumanism and technological acceleration, Karine Safa invites companies and institutions to ask an essential question: what kind of progress do we really want?

Her approach is neither technophobic nor technophile. She offers a humanist, balanced and accessible reflection on the limits, promises and responsibilities of innovation.

Une conférencière qui redonne du sens au progrès

Karine Safa s'adresse aux dirigeants, aux communautés d'innovation, aux directeurs des ressources humaines, aux grandes écoles, aux institutions et aux think tanks. Ses interventions combinent des références historiques, de l'anticipation, de la philosophie, de la science, de la culture et une réflexion stratégique. Elle donne aux organisations les clés pour briser les silos, stimuler l'imagination collective et construire une vision plus humaine de l'avenir.

Rethinking the future through the spirit of the Renaissance

— Karine Safa
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Conferences

Through her talks, Karine Safa helps organizations gain perspective on contemporary transformations. She connects the legacy of the Renaissance with today’s major challenges: artificial intelligence, innovation, the crisis of progress, leadership, collective imagination and meaningful action.

01

Why the Renaissance Can Save the World

What if our time were less an end of the world than a Renaissance in the making?

Karine Safa propose une lecture éclairante de notre époque, en reliant les crises actuelles — intelligence artificielle, accélération technologique, fragmentation sociale et défis écologiques — aux bouleversements de la Renaissance.

Elle montre comment les périodes de crise peuvent devenir des moteurs de créativité, d’humanisme et de renouveau, pour réinventer nos récits collectifs et redonner du sens à l’avenir.

  • Understand the parallels between the Renaissance and contemporary transformations
  • Recover a positive yet lucid vision of progress
  • Turn crises into opportunities for collective creativity
Ideal for Executive committees, leadership teams, conventions, innovation events, institutions and universities
Format Keynote or conference · 45 to 75 min
02

Innovating with the Geniuses of the Renaissance

Drawing inspiration from the great minds of the past to invent differently tomorrow.

À travers Léonard de Vinci, Pic de la Mirandole, Nicolas de Cues et Kepler, Karine Safa explore l’esprit des innovateurs de la Renaissance : curiosité, audace, pensée transversale et capacité à relier des mondes opposés.

Elle montre comment l’imagination, l’intuition et le croisement des disciplines nourrissent les grandes innovations, notamment en période d’incertitude. Une conférence pour aider les organisations à dépasser l’hyper-spécialisation et à cultiver une innovation plus humaine, créative et audacieuse.

  • Stimulate creativity by crossing disciplines
  • Move beyond silos and hyper-specialization
  • Turn uncertainty into a driver of innovation
Ideal for Innovation teams, managers, transformation seminars, schools and creative organizations
Format Conference or workshop · 45 to 90 min
03

Creative Imagination

Imagination is not an extra: it is a strategic capability.

Intelligence artificielle, biotechnologie, neurosciences, robotique et amélioration humaine transforment notre rapport à la vie et interrogent notre définition de l’humain.

À partir de l’héritage intellectuel de la Renaissance, Karine Safa montre que ces débats sur le pouvoir technologique, l’immortalité et la transformation de l’humanité ne sont pas nouveaux. Une conférence humaniste et nuancée pour réconcilier innovation, responsabilité et sens collectif.

  • Rehabilitate imagination as a lever for innovation
  • Develop more intuitive, transversal and creative thinking
  • Build desirable futures in uncertain times
Ideal for Creativity, innovation, transformation, leadership and corporate culture seminars
Format Conference or workshop · 45 to 90 min
04

How to Lead in Uncertainty

Moving from control to the creation of meaning.

Dans un monde marqué par l’accélération, la complexité et l’imprévisibilité, les anciens modèles de gouvernance fondés sur le contrôle et la performance immédiate montrent leurs limites.

À partir des leçons de la Renaissance, Karine Safa explore un leadership fondé sur le discernement, l’imagination stratégique, l’ouverture et le temps long. Une conférence pour inviter les dirigeants à devenir des créateurs de sens, capables de relier les personnes, les disciplines et les horizons.

  • Make decisions without giving in to fear or constant urgency
  • Develop a collective vision in a fragmented world
  • Reinvent leadership around meaning, trust and responsibility
Ideal for Executive committees, leaders, managers, leadership seminars and organizations in transformation
Format Keynote or conference · 45 to 75 min
05

Changing the World: From Renaissance Utopias to Silicon Valley Utopias

When technological dreams meet the great humanist utopias.

Les entrepreneurs de la Silicon Valley comparent souvent leur époque à la Renaissance florentine. Karine Safa confronte ces deux imaginaires du progrès pour en révéler les différences profondes.

À travers Thomas More, Francis Bacon et Pic de la Mirandole, elle retrace l’histoire des utopies occidentales et montre comment elles se transforment à l’ère des technologies, des plateformes numériques et de l’accélération. Une conférence pour prendre du recul sur les récits technologiques qui façonnent notre rapport à l’avenir.

  • Understand the ancient roots of technological utopias
  • Question today’s narratives of disruption
  • Put the human being back at the center of innovation narratives
Ideal for Tech, AI, foresight and innovation events, schools, think tanks and leaders
Format Conference or panel discussion · 45 to 75 min

For which events?

Karine Safa speaks at the key moments where people, performance and impact matter.

  • Seminars and conventions
  • Leadership committees and strategic talks
  • Product launches
  • CSR and climate events
  • Institutions, schools and universities

Possible formats

Formats adaptable to your goals and context.

  • Inspiring talk
  • Impactful keynote
  • Participative workshop
  • Panel
  • Webinar

Why choose them?

A unique experience serving strong, useful messages.

  • Field experience backing the message
  • Authentic and inspiring stories
  • Human, demanding and accessible approach
  • Tailored content aligned with your stakes
Would you like to invite Karine Safa to your event?

Videos

Discover Karine Safa on stage: reflections on the Renaissance, progress, humanism and our collective ability to invent a desirable future.

Looking for more content or a specific clip? Contact us
Renaissance: Turning Adversity into a New Beginning 37:24
Conference clip

Renaissance: Turning Adversity into a New Beginning

An inspiring talk on resilience, humanism and the ability to reinvent oneself after adversity.

Watch video
Reinventing Progress in an Age of Uncertainty 23:33
Conference clip

Reinventing Progress in an Age of Uncertainty

An inspiring reflection on the need to restore meaning to progress, humanism and our collective future.

Watch video
Progress: A Fragile but Essential Promise 08:49
Short format

Progress: A Fragile but Essential Promise

An invitation to rethink progress and reinvent the future with boldness, innovation and collective responsibility.

Watch video

Want to feature Karine Safa at your next event?

Our team helps you craft a tailored intervention, aligned with your goals and your audience.

Publications

  • Why the Renaissance Can Save the World – Imagination as a Path, Plon, 2022; Pocket, 2023 — Prix des Savoirs 2022.
  • The Humanism of Pico della Mirandola, Vrin — Prix des écrivains de langue française.
  • Can We Still Believe in Progress?, Éditions de l'Aube, collective volume with Étienne Klein, Cynthia Fleury and Pierre-Henri Tavoillot, among others.
  • Author of books and numerous articles on culture, the arts, the humanities and social issues.
Would you like to invite Karine Safa to your event?