London Talks | Monday 5 October 2026
Three of the most influential voices on technology, power and democracy are coming together for one night in Islington. 5×15 presents Yuval Noah Harari and Maria Ressa in conversation at Union Chapel on Monday 5 October, chaired by Carole Cadwalladr.
Here are five reasons to go.
1. The author of Sapiens, live
Historian Yuval Noah Harari is one of the world’s best-selling non-fiction authors. He has spent his career tracing the long arc of human history, from Sapiens to his latest book, Nexus, which follows information networks from the Stone Age to artificial intelligence. Hearing him think out loud about where we’re heading is a rare treat.
2. A Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist
Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work defending freedom of expression. As CEO and co-founder of the news site Rappler, she has spent a decade fighting disinformation and authoritarian power in the Philippines, and she has a new book out, The Fight Back. She has confronted many of the forces Harari writes about first-hand.
3. Chaired by Carole Cadwalladr
The conversation is chaired by Carole Cadwalladr, the Pulitzer-nominated investigative journalist who broke the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook scandal. She now co-runs the new media start-up the Nerve and writes the popular newsletter How to Survive the Broligarchy. With her in the chair, expect sharp, probing questions.
4. The biggest questions of our time
Together they’ll examine a world being remade by artificial intelligence, geopolitical upheaval and democracies under strain. They’ll consider how power is shifting, what kind of world is taking shape, and how much control we still have over what comes next. You’ll leave with plenty to talk about.
5. A stunning venue
Union Chapel is one of London’s most beautiful venues, a working Victorian Gothic church that also hosts gigs and talks. It’s an atmospheric setting for an evening of big ideas, and 5×15 has more events coming up at Conway Hall in Holborn on 13, 14 and 19 October.
Tickets and info
5×15 presents Yuval Noah Harari and Maria Ressa
Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, Islington, London N1 2UN
Monday 5 October 2026
Nearest station: Highbury & Islington