Tech conferences have been accused of chasing the next big thing—flashy tools, speculative breakthroughs, buzzwords over substance.

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Confluence 2025 took a different path. Switchboard gathered more than 100 refugee service providers, technologists, government partners, and researchers at Civic Hall in New York for two days of hands-on conversations about what’s already working and the wise and ethical use of AI. The focus? Real-world tools making a difference for newcomers—especially those far from traditional services.

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This year I facilitated the Tech Playground and a Multilingual Immersive Video Workshop to show attendees that discovery thrives through
interaction. From VR storytelling to AI interpretation tools, hands-on demos via workshops sparked imagination, surfacing new possibilities and practical insights through play. Because to design a better resettlement future, we don’t just need ideas— we need to try, test, and experience technology in context.