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Bhutan hosted the inaugural Asia Visionary Summit from 6 to 8 November 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, cultural figures and policymakers to discuss technology, investment, sustainability and human well‑being. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay opened the event at Dungkar Dzong in Paro, and the summit concluded with a public “Raven Concert” at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on 8 November. The summit, themed “Enlightened Prosperity,” featured more than 30 speakers and several hundred participants from Bhutan and abroad. Discussions were organized into three chapters—The Inner Frontier, The Age of Intelligence and The Living Earth—covering topics such as human flourishing, artificial intelligence, environmental conservation, clean energy and regenerative agriculture. These were linked to five broader areas identified by the summit: ecology and conservation, AI, clean energy and climate, medicine and human longevity, and conscious leadership. Key speakers included actor and philanthropist Jet Li, former ON executive Martin Hoffmann, investment leader Hiro Mizuno and BEENEXT founder Teruhide Sato. Sessions addressed long‑term investment, institutional development, education in the age of AI and how technology can be used without eroding human creativity or cultural identity. The summit also highlighted Bhutan’s efforts to diversify its economy and create opportunities for young people, with the prime minister encouraging international participants to collaborate with Bhutanese entrepreneurs. A central technology discussion focused on AI sovereignty, defined as a country’s ability to influence the development, governance and use of AI systems rather than relying solely on foreign technology. Participants debated how AI used in Bhutan could better reflect local languages, culture and social priorities, and whether AI should support human thinking rather than replace creativity. One proposal suggested using part of Bhutan’s energy capacity to provide citizens with AI services through “intelligence tokens,” though this remains an idea rather than an approved government programme. The summit also highlighted the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region in southern Bhutan intended to attract international businesses and test new approaches to urban development, finance, technology, health and environmental planning. While the summit provided opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs to learn about Bhutan, no comprehensive list of investment commitments or business agreements had been released by 10 November. A concrete outcome of the summit was a five‑year partnership between the Asia Visionary Summit and Nova Sky Stories, a company that specializes in coordinated drone light displays. The collaboration is expected to bring further drone performances and creative technology projects to Bhutan. The partnership was announced alongside the Raven Concert, which combined international performers Tony Yike Yang and Leven Kali with Bhutanese artists including Baeyul, Pelden Wangchuk, Karma Drupchu and the Sangay Lhaden Band. The concert also featured a musical collaboration by Fran Bak and Karma Yonten, incorporating the gong and dramnyen, a long‑necked lute used in Bhutanese and Himalayan traditions. During the drone show at the Raven Concert, illuminated drones formed images of Lord Buddha and Bhutanese cultural symbols above Changlimithang Stadium, commemorating the 18th anniversary of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s coronation on 1 November 2008. The display linked modern aerial technology with religious, cultural and national imagery, reflecting the summit’s broader discussion about integrating innovation while maintaining Bhutanese values and identity. The long‑term value of the summit will depend on whether the relationships formed in Paro lead to investment, whether Bhutanese founders receive sustained support, and whether ideas raised during the discussions translate into practical projects suited to Bhutan’s needs. Article source: Daily Bhutan | Image credit: Daily Bhutan
Bhutan hosted the inaugural Asia Visionary Summit from 6 to 8 November 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, cultural figures and policymakers to discuss technology, investment, sustainability and human well‑being. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay opened the event at Dungkar Dzong in Paro, and the summit concluded with a public “Raven Concert” at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on 8 November. The summit, themed “Enlightened Prosperity,” featured more than 30 speakers and several hundred participants from Bhutan and abroad. Discussions were organized into three chapters—The Inner Frontier, The Age of Intelligence and The Living Earth—covering topics such as human flourishing, artificial intelligence, environmental conservation, clean energy and regenerative agriculture. These were linked to five broader areas identified by the summit: ecology and conservation, AI, clean energy and climate, medicine and human longevity, and conscious leadership. Key speakers included actor and philanthropist Jet Li, former ON executive Martin Hoffmann, investment leader Hiro Mizuno and BEENEXT founder Teruhide Sato. Sessions addressed long‑term investment, institutional development, education in the age of AI and how technology can be used without eroding human creativity or cultural identity. The summit also highlighted Bhutan’s efforts to diversify its economy and create opportunities for young people, with the prime minister encouraging international participants to collaborate with Bhutanese entrepreneurs. A central technology discussion focused on AI sovereignty, defined as a country’s ability to influence the development, governance and use of AI systems rather than relying solely on foreign technology. Participants debated how AI used in Bhutan could better reflect local languages, culture and social priorities, and whether AI should support human thinking rather than replace creativity. One proposal suggested using part of Bhutan’s energy capacity to provide citizens with AI services through “intelligence tokens,” though this remains an idea rather than an approved government programme. The summit also highlighted the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a special administrative region in southern Bhutan intended to attract international businesses and test new approaches to urban development, finance, technology, health and environmental planning. While the summit provided opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs to learn about Bhutan, no comprehensive list of investment commitments or business agreements had been released by 10 November. A concrete outcome of the summit was a five‑year partnership between the Asia Visionary Summit and Nova Sky Stories, a company that specializes in coordinated drone light displays. The collaboration is expected to bring further drone performances and creative technology projects to Bhutan. The partnership was announced alongside the Raven Concert, which combined international performers Tony Yike Yang and Leven Kali with Bhutanese artists including Baeyul, Pelden Wangchuk, Karma Drupchu and the Sangay Lhaden Band. The concert also featured a musical collaboration by Fran Bak and Karma Yonten, incorporating the gong and dramnyen, a long‑necked lute used in Bhutanese and Himalayan traditions. During the drone show at the Raven Concert, illuminated drones formed images of Lord Buddha and Bhutanese cultural symbols above Changlimithang Stadium, commemorating the 18th anniversary of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s coronation on 1 November 2008. The display linked modern aerial technology with religious, cultural and national imagery, reflecting the summit’s broader discussion about integrating innovation while maintaining Bhutanese values and identity. The long‑term value of the summit will depend on whether the relationships formed in Paro lead to investment, whether Bhutanese founders receive sustained support, and whether ideas raised during the discussions translate into practical projects suited to Bhutan’s needs.
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