How unjust incarceration at 17 inspired one man's quilt art and activism

Today, Gary Tyler is a renowned fiber artist and activist. But he was once the youngest person on death row in the U.S., a man unjustly incarcerated at just age 17. He talks with World Economic Forum video producer Kateryna Gordiychuk about how his experience in prison introduced him to the medium and shapes his creative expression. While incarcerated, during the AIDs epidemic, Gary worked as a volunteer in one of the first prison hospice programs in the country. The need to fund the program led Gary to learn quilting to help raise money that could aid both the dying men and their families who wouldn't be able to travel to see their loved ones otherwise. The experience drove home for Gary the need for mercy and advocacy in systems where people cannot advocate for themselves. Today, his art explores themes of freedom and individuality and he speaks frequently on the contributions any individual can make, regardless of their circumstance. This interview was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 2025. About this episode: About Gary's Art: Library Street Collective: lscgallery.com Episode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gary-tyler-artist-activist Related Podcasts: Meet The Leader - Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader's most 'vital' role https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNwmJJMRt4o&t=1s Meet The Leader -  'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIUGFUza2ec&t=117s Meet the Leader - Adam Grant: Future leaders won't succeed without this key trait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buVVIpttzUA

In her role as President, Arts, Culture & Heritage at CHANEL, Yana Peel thinks deeply about the value of the arts across society and what's needed to amplify a range of voices. She talks to Gayle Markovitz, the Head of Written and Audio Content at the World Economic Forum, about how technological shifts could boost the value of human creativity and why collaboration with artists has never been more essential to a host of sectors. She also takes us through her unconventional background, one that includes study at the London School of Economics and a turn on the Goldman Sachs trading floor before co-founding the Outset Contemporary Art Fund or serving as CEO for London's Serpentine Galleries. In this special conversation, she shares what she has learned from both artists and business leaders about the critical role arts and culture play in attracting capital, driving social change and fueling innovation. This episode was recorded at the 2025 Annual Meeting at Davos, Switzerland. Yana Peel was invited as as a Cultural Leader as part of the arts & culture programme.  About this episode: Chanel Culture Fund: https://www.chanel.com/us/chanel-culture-fund/ Chanel Connects https://www.chanel.com/us/chanel-connects/season-5/ Episode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/yana-peel-chanel-art-ai-future/ Related Podcasts: Meet The Leader - Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader's most 'vital' role Read here:  https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/misty-copeland-ballet-leadership-skills/ Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SDZWco6fE6cJlziDid8iu?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=824d7fc8a1944800 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNwmJJMRt4o&t=1s 'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of usRead here: https://tinyurl.com/2s4372wc Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/3r9xrpftfdfc40499c Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yr44h49y  

Space has become a junkyard, a mess of millions of pieces of debris that pose big risks to spacecrafts, complicating astronaut safety, research and even our own connectivity back home. Daniel Faber is the CEO of Orbit Fab, a company whose technology will allow for satellites to refuel once in orbit. He'll explain why this solution can be critical to tackling space debris while also helping to save lives, boost research and even supercharge the space economy. About this episode:  Orbit Fab: https://www.orbitfab.com/ Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/daniel-faber-orbit-fab-space-economy Related report: Report: Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth: https://www.weforum.org/publications/space-the-1-8-trillion-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth/ Related Podcasts  Meet the startup building the first commercial space station: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/tejpaul-bhatia-space-economy-axiom/ An energy company is building the world's largest airplane. Here's why: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/mark-lundstrom-radia-climate-change/ This former astronaut shares what's key to building strong, effective teams:: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BvAcXlFqExORF2eZNjcLQ?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=269a6c9f8a3a4b02  

As cyber threats and geopolitical risks intensify, how can organizations be nimble and outsmart the next cyber attack? In this episode, seasoned data protection and cyber law expert Vinod Bange breaks down the threats that are still overlooked – including a new understanding of influence in social engineering – and the questions that leaders should ask themselves to ensure their teams are truly nimble and cyber ready. This Baker McKenzie partner also shares the unique methods that business and government are employing to work together to share best practices and strategies, all while breaking down why this sort of collaboration has traditionally been slow to happen. About this episode:  Baker McKenzie: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/ Global Disputes Forecast: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/insight/publications/2025/01/global-disputes-forecast-2025 Related report:  Cybercrime Atlas: Impact Report 2025: https://initiatives.weforum.org/cybercrime-atlas/home Related podcasts:  Radio Davos: New era, new mood, new challenges Read: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/adam-tooze-cnbc-china-us-history/ Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4byCozwrPwSDRGexzSpOIv?go=1&sp_cid=01e8f5e22b1a6834bc34234353341751&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=21eda2cf5c3c4932 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOlOPL3woKA Meet the Leader: AI will reshape knowledge work. What leaders should ask, do and learn now:  Read: https://tinyurl.com/ydfed937 Listen: https://tinyurl.com/ycxh9zer Watch: https://youtu.be/GCo7czq2yXI

Software development and software engineering could be the first major economically valuable capability that closes the gap between humans and AI, says Eiso Kant, the CTO of frontier AI company poolside. He shares what these changes mean for technology and the sector, and for knowledge work generally. Eiso stays cautious about tech forecasts and predictions, but breaks down how worry and fear can be a motivator to drive true learning and understanding in a fast-moving era, sharing and questions we should ask and mindsets we should apply to understand how we can uniquely contribute to societies and economies in the years ahead as technologies reshape human roles. This interview was recorded in  January 2025 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. About this episode: https://poolside.ai/ Related report: Future of Jobs 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ Related episodes: Radio Davos: Do you need an AI mentor? This tech entrepreneur thinks so Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I0CNHlS7f4 Read here: https://tinyurl.com/28z7cmtt Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/y7yshdad Meet The Leader: This company launched with $600 a decade ago. How it's using data and AI to boost yields for millions of small-scale farmers Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkOu9As6J60 Read here: https://tinyurl.com/bdz69j65Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/bcmj6572

Sustainability goals take more than will -- they take culture change and block and tackle approaches. Microsoft announced a host of big commitments in 2020 for the decade ahead, including a goal to be carbon negative and another to reduce emissions by 55%. Procurement and supply chains played a key role in these goals and former supply chain exec Donna Warton shares the moves that have helped secure leader buy-in, drive proactive thinking and help make sustainability a business imperative and not just a "one-off" project. She'll also explain the role an internal carbon tax has played in driving incentives, the challenge AI brings in staying on track for emissions goals, and what's been effective to force the right conversations in product design and at the supplier level to reduce waste and tackle emissions. About this episode: Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/microsoft-donna-warton-procurement Related Report: Green Procurement Playbook: The CPO's Guide to Delivering for People and Planet: https://www.weforum.org/publications/green-procurement-playbook-the-cpo-s-guide-to-delivering-value-for-business-and-planet/ Related episodes: 3 shifts all effective collaborators make https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/3-shifts-all-effective-collaborators-make/ Bridging AI's 'woeful' data gap can save lives and tackle climate change: Gecko Robotics: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/jake-loosarian-gecko-robotics-data-gap-ai/  

This pioneering researcher-turned-climate activist who died this week reshaped how we see the natural world and how humans understand their place on this earth. We revisit our 2021 interview with Jane and the unique way she approached climate communications to find common ground, broach difficult topics and inspire millions. We also talk to Gill Einhorn, head of the World Economic Forum's 1t.org, who explains how Jane worked with that restoration and conservation initiative, sharing how Jane collaborated and forged connections behind the scenes, what leaders can learn, and how we can take her legacy forward.   Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

What's needed to deliver the carbon removal needed to meet key emissions targets in the years ahead? Charm Industrial CEO Peter Reinhardt helps explain what carbon removal and sequestration are and what's needed to scale these further – including the incentive gaps that must be bridged for progress. He'll also share how he and his three roommates from MIT became startup founders together – and how they've stayed friends and partners since, and how they leveraged each person's unique skillsets. He also explains how key moments have helped him sharpen his focus and priorities, and how a CEO coach has helped him develop as a leader.  About this episode:  Charm Industrial: https://charmindustrial.com/ Epsiode transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/peter-reinhardt-charm-industrial-cabon-capture Related report:  Defossilizing Industry: Considerations for Scaling-up Carbon Capture and Utilization Pathways: https://www.weforum.org/publications/defossilizing-industry-considerations-for-scaling-up-carbon-capture-and-utilization-pathways/ Related episodes:  'Do it nearly right, but now' - How effective leaders navigate change and disrupt sectors: Disruption Report:  Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/simon-freakley-alixpartners-disruption-index/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/443s16GQ3cBzgI3akxzzIq?go=1&sp_cid=974f0d02895cc3e5dc6ee274371893a7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=a279d80799654118 A CEO coach shares new leaders' biggest blindspots (and how to overcome them):Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/ceo-coach-shares-new-leader-blindspots/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YG6HujYmc4IrD3JSGnyOh?go=1&sp_cid=974f0d02895cc3e5dc6ee274371893a7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=d0d22380bec54bb7  

Getting the right information at the right time is critical for any sector but especially small-scale farming. Losing a yield could mean a farmer has no income for a year while weakening food security and local economies. To bridge these gaps, company Farmerline has created AI-powered tools, including one that acts like a "911 for farmers," bringing critical information on weather, crop diseases and more on demand to people who need it, all in 34 languages. The company has also developed ways alternative data can be used to develop credit scores for farmers, helping prove the investing opportunity to lenders while connecting them to much-needed financing. With small scale farmers locked out of some of the biggest innovations in the last century thanks to access and affordability, founder Alloysius Attah shares what's needed to ensure agriculture is future ready – including the power of a database that can create a national pulse on food security for NGOs, governments and the private sector. Attah also shares his company's founding journey, what he's learned in the past 10 years - and how global crises like COVID have helped him rethink how he prioritizes as a leader. This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Updated statistics can be found in the corresponding transcript.    About this episode: https://farmerline.co/   Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/alloysius-attah-farmerline-ai-data-finance   Related episodes: We're 'losing the war' on modern slavery: Tech's surprising role and what leaders can do - HPE's John Schultz Read here: https://tinyurl.com/486fhvy9 Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/yewem3s4 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXggC3o08I 'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of us Read here: https://tinyurl.com/2s4372wc Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/3r9xrpftfdfc40499c Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yr44h49y  

Most of the world's information is stored digitally in a way that's vulnerable to disappearing without warning thanks to everything from link rot and server changes, to someone not paying their web hosting bill. Some information might even disappear because bad actors have removed or changed it. Civil liberties lawyer and Filecoin Foundation president Marta Belcher explains why the modern standard for how we store information is so vulnerable and why protecting data is a human rights issue. She breaks down a fundamentally new approach (leveraging crypto and decentralized databases to protect information and create new incentives to store it) and how it serves as a sneak peek at how Web3 technologies could bake in new approaches to privacy and civil liberties protections. She'll share how it's already being used to protect digital artifacts such as Ukraine war crime evidence and Alexander Graham Bell's earliest sound recordings, and how it could even be used to improve space communications. Marta, a crypto law pioneer, also shares unique ways she's driven open-source solutions throughout her life and career and how these lessons can help any leader better collaborate. This interview was recorded in May 2025 at the World Economic Forum Office in New York. About this episode: Filecoin Foundation: https://fil.org/ Not Your Parent's Web Study, Filecoin Foundation, 2024: https://fil.org/blog/the-web-isn-t-forever-new-research-findings-from-not-your-parents-web-project When online content disappears, Pew Research, 2024: https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2024/05/17/when-online-content-disappears/ Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/marta-belcher-filecoin-foundation Related episodes:We're 'losing the war' on modern slavery: Tech's surprising role and what leaders can do - HPE's John Schultz Read here: https://tinyurl.com/486fhvy9 Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/yewem3s4 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXggC3o08I 'I'll show you a real leader' - Platon, the photographer of power, on finding humanity in all of us Read here: https://tinyurl.com/2s4372wc Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/3r9xrpftfdfc40499c Watch here: https://tinyurl.com/yr44h49y