{{short description|American think tank founded in 2010}} {{use American English|date=June 2024}} {{use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox organization | name = Berggruen Institute | image = Berggruen Institute logo (2026).png | image_size = 250px | location = Los Angeles, California | founders = {{unbulleted list|Nicolas Berggruen|Nathan Gardels}} | formation = {{start date and age|2010}} | key_people = | revenue = $16,635,720<ref name="Ratings">{{cite web | url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/465602320 | title=Nonprofit Explorer: Berggruen Institute | date=May 9, 2013 | publisher=ProPublica | access-date=16 June 2024 }}</ref> | revenue_year = 2022 | expenses = $18,889,571<ref name="Ratings" /> | expenses_year = 2022 | tax_id = 46-5602320 | registration_id = C3671781 | website = {{URL|berggruen.org}} | endowment = $1 billion<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.welt.de/iconmagazine/icons/article253660350/Karstadt-Das-Karstadt-Abenteuer-Es-war-dumm-von-mir-ein-persoenlicher-Fehler.html|title=Karstadt: "Das Karstadt-Abenteuer. Es war dumm von mir, ein persönlicher Fehler" - WELT|website=DIE WELT}}</ref> | endowment_year = 2024 | num_staff = 30<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinberger |first=Michael |date=6 April 2022 |title=How the 'Homeless Billionaire' Became a Philosopher King |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/magazine/nicolas-berggruen-philosophy.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> | num_staff_year = 2022 }} The '''Berggruen Institute''' is a think tank based in Los Angeles, with centers in Beijing and Venice.
== History == Berggruen Institute was founded in 2010 by investor-philanthropist Nicolas Berggruen and journalist Nathan Gardels to research and publish on topics related to governance, economics, geopolitics, and technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-nicolas-berggruen-think-tank-20160429-snap-story.html|title=On his Santa Monica mountaintop, a billionaire envisions lofty thoughts on politics and culture|date=April 30, 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinberger |first=Michael |date=2022-04-06 |title=How the 'Homeless Billionaire' Became a Philosopher King |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/magazine/nicolas-berggruen-philosophy.html |access-date=2024-02-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2014, the Institute established ''The WorldPost'', an online publication in a joint initiative with ''HuffPost'' and later ''The Washington Post''.<ref name="malta">{{Cite news |date=2021-07-31 |title=Noema a new magazine: ideas and culture for a transforming world |url=https://www.pressreader.com/malta/malta-independent/20210731/281689732852741 |access-date=2021-02-01 |work=Malta Independent}}</ref>
The Institute established its Philosophy and Culture Center in 2015, creating the annual Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture and launching a fellowship program in collaboration with universities including USC, Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Peking University.
Berggruen has recruited numerous supporters and advisers of the Institute including Eric Schmidt, Reid Hoffman, Arianna Huffington, Evan Spiegel, Stephan Schwarzman, Ernesto Zedillo, Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and Patrick Soon-Shiong.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-04-16 |title=The Billionaire Who’s Building a Davos of His Own (Published 2016) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/business/the-billionaire-whos-building-a-davos-of-his-own.html |access-date=2025-11-12 |language=en}}</ref>
Since its founding, the Institute has expanded globally, establishing centers in Beijing and Venice and developing initiatives in Europe, China, and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicolas Berggruen, the modern-day Medici |url=https://www.ft.com/content/44e6da0c-2a51-4198-add5-7aafbc415555 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> In 2018, the Institute established a research center at Peking University with $25.5 million in funding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Candid |title=Berggruen Institute Invests $25.5 Million for Beijing Research Center |url=https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/berggruen-institute-invests-25.5-million-for-beijing-research-center |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Philanthropy News Digest (PND) |language=en}}</ref> Between 2022 and 2023, the Institute acquired three historic properties in Venice to serve as its European headquarters and cultural centers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novi |first=Ana |date=2024-07-17 |title=From Venice to the World with Nicolas Berggruen |url=https://whitewall.art/art/cultural-renaissance-and-global-dialogues-from-venice-to-the-world-with-nicolas-berggruen/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Whitewall |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Councils and Committees ==
=== 21st Century Council === Founded in 2011, the 21st Century Council was composed of former heads of state, global business leaders, and intellectuals who convene to discuss challenges in global governance. Past members have included former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, and former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. The Council has organized conferences with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior officials to discuss trade, technology, and international cooperation.
===Council on the Future of Europe=== The Council on the Future of Europe is a committee focused on policy and public debate concerning European integration.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://institutdelors.eu/publications/europe-is-the-solution-not-the-problem/?lang=en | title="Europe is the solution, not the problem" | date=9 September 2011 | website=Jacques Delors Institute | access-date=31 July 2018 }}</ref> In May 2013, the council held a "town hall" meeting endorsed by the French President Francois Hollande, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and Italian labor minister. The council, along with Germany’s labor minister, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed an investment, training, and jobs program for Europe. The program eventually became a part of European policy in January 2015 when European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proposed the 315 billion euro Investment Plan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/news/juncker-plan-exceeds-original-eu315-billion-investment-target-2018-jul-18-0_en | title=Juncker Plan exceeds original €315 billion investment target | date=18 July 2018 | website=European Commission | access-date=31 July 2018 }}</ref>
===The Think Long Committee for California=== The Think Long Committee for California is a bipartisan group that develops methods for improving governance in California. In November 2011, the Committee published its report, ''A Blueprint to Renew California''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-gardels/a-blueprint-to-renew-cali_b_1104021.html | title=A Blueprint to Renew California | last1=Gardels | first1=Nathan | last2=Berggruen | first2=Nicolas | date=20 January 2012 | website=The Huffington Post | access-date=31 July 2018 }}</ref> In 2014, the committee supported SB 1253, "The Ballot Initiative Transparency Act", which was approved on September 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18735 | title=Governor Brown Signs Ballot Reform Measure | date=27 September 2014 | website=State of California | access-date=31 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219060828/https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18735 | archive-date=19 December 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The committee also supported Proposition 2 in 2014, which established a "Rainy Day Fund" to allocate a percentage of annual revenue toward state debt and to safeguard against economic downturns.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-california-rainy-day-fund-20141103-story.html | title=Californians OK Proposition 2, on rainy day fund | last=Megerian | first=Chris | date=4 November 2014 | website=Los Angeles Times | access-date=31 July 2018 }}</ref>
== Notable Programs == ===Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture=== The Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture is an annual award established in 2016 by the Berggruen Institute. It awards US$1 million to thinkers whose ideas have shaped human self-understanding and advancement. An independent jury selects the laureates each year.<ref>{{cite web | title=Canadian Philosopher Wins $1 Million Prize (Published 2016) | website=The New York Times | date=October 4, 2016 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/books/canadian-philosopher-wins-1-million-prize.html }}</ref>
Recipients include philosopher Charles Taylor for modern identity;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=2016-10-04|title=Canadian Philosopher Wins $1 Million Prize|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/books/canadian-philosopher-wins-1-million-prize.html|access-date=2020-06-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Onora O'Neill for ethics and international justice;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=2017-10-03|title=Onora O'Neill Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/arts/onora-oneill-berggruen-prize.html|access-date=2020-06-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Martha C. Nussbaum for emotion in moral and political philosophy;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=2018-10-30|title=Martha Nussbaum Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/arts/martha-nussbaum-berggruen-prize.html|access-date=2020-06-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Ruth Bader Ginsburg for gender equality in law;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schuessler|first=Jennifer|date=2019-10-23|title=Ruth Bader Ginsburg Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/arts/ruth-bader-ginsburg-berggruen-prize.html|access-date=2020-06-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Paul Farmer for public health and human rights;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carmel |first1=Julie |title=Paul Farmer Is Awarded the $1 Million Berggruen Prize |work=The New York Times |date=16 December 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/arts/paul-farmer-berggruen-prize.html |access-date=2020-12-16|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Peter Singer for effective altruism;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gharib |first1=Malaka |title=Why Peter Singer — The 'Drowning Child' Ethicist — Is Giving Away His $1 Million Prize |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/09/29/1039417879/why-peter-singer-the-drowning-child-ethicist-is-giving-away-his-1-million-prize |website=NPR |date=September 29, 2021 |access-date=2021-09-29}}</ref> Kojin Karatani for interdisciplinary scholarship,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bilefsky |first1=Dan |title=Kojin Karatani Wins $1 Million Berggruen Prize |work=The New York Times |date=8 December 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/arts/kojin-karatani-berggruen-prize.html |access-date=2022-12-08|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Patricia Hill Collins for intersectionality and social justice.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ross |first1=Janell |title=The Winner of a $1 Million Philosophy Prize Sees a Silver Lining to Ideas Getting Attacked |url=https://time.com/6328162/patricia-hills-collins-interview-berggruen-philosophy-prize/ |website=Time Magazine |date=25 October 2023 |access-date=2023-10-25}}</ref>
===Berggruen Prize Essay Competition=== In 2024, the Berggruen Institute established the Berggruen Prize Essay Competition as an annual contest to complement its Philosophy & Culture Prize.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.noemamag.com/announcing-the-berggruen-prize-essay-competition|title=Announcing The Berggruen Prize Essay Competition|first=Nathan|last=Gardels|date=February 23, 2024|via=www.noemamag.com}}</ref> The contest accepts essays in both English and Chinese, with a prize of US$25,000 awarded to the winner in each language category.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailynous.com/2024/03/06/berggruen-launches-new-philosophy-essay-competition/,%20https://dailynous.com/2024/03/06/berggruen-launches-new-philosophy-essay-competition/|title=Berggruen Launches New Philosophy Essay Competition - Daily Nous|first=Justin|last=Weinberg|date=March 6, 2024|website=dailynous.com}}</ref>
===Studio B=== Studio B, is the production division of the Berggruen Institute. It is directed by Alex Gardels and Nathalia Ramos An, along with Nick Goddard who serves as producer and head of development.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Daniel Kwan and VR Pioneer Jaron Lanier to Discuss Storytelling Versus Algorithm at Studio B Salon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/nicolas-berggruen-institute-studio-b-daniel-kwan-jaron-lanier-1236312579/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The Studio produces content focused on the intersection of technology, philosophy, and culture. Its projects include a salon series featuring conversations between Eric Schmidt and Ashton Kutcher, and Yuval Noah Harari and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.<ref name="auto" />
Studio B also works with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on programming related to changes in cinema and produces the Berggruen Institute's podcast, ''Futurology''.<ref name="auto" />
In June 2024, the studio hosted a private discussion on artificial intelligence in filmmaking with Ashton Kutcher and Eric Schmidt.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Ashton Kutcher Says Soon 'You'll Be Able to Render a Whole Movie' Using AI: 'The Bar Is Going to Have to Go Way Up' in Hollywood |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ashton-kutcher-ai-movies-sora-hollywood-1236027196/}}</ref> The event drew backlash after Kutcher praised OpenAI's video-generation tool, Sora, suggesting it could replace traditional film crews and stunt performers.<ref name="auto4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Chloe |title=Ashton Kutcher sides with the enemy over actor and writer colleagues in AI debate: 'I can just generate and then watch my own movie' |url=https://fortune.com/2024/06/10/ashton-kutcher-ai-hollywood-sora-generative-ai/ |website=Fortune}}</ref> Critics condemned the remarks as undermining creative labor, which sparked a wider controversy regarding the promotion of AI in Hollywood.<ref name="auto4" />
==Publications== === Noema Magazine === ''Noema Magazine'' was originally founded as ''The WorldPost'' in 2014 as a joint initiative with ''HuffPost''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=A new journal establishes its identity |url=https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/noema-a-new-journal-establishes-its-identity-review-paul-seabright/ |access-date=2022-02-01 |website=TLS |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="malta" /> In 2017, ''The Washington Post'' began publishing The WorldPost's content, featuring global perspectives through op-eds, features, and videos.<ref name="malta" />
In 2020, ''The WorldPost'' was renamed ''Noema Magazine'' and launched a print edition in addition to its digital content.<ref name=":0" /> ''Noema'' covers a range of subjects, including philosophy, governance, geopolitics, economics, technology, and culture.<ref name="malta" /> {{as of|2025|post=,}} Nathan Gardels serves as its editor-in-chief.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=Noema aims to help academics, policy makers think differently |url=https://wtop.com/podcast/its-all-journalism/noema-aims-to-help-academics-policy-makers-think-differently/ |website=WTOP News}}</ref>
== Campuses == === China Center === The Berggruen China Center is an interdisciplinary academic research institute at Peking University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/44e6da0c-2a51-4198-add5-7aafbc415555|title=Nicolas Berggruen, the modern-day Medici|website=www.ft.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2309-7_1|title=Intelligence and Wisdom: Artificial Intelligence Meets Chinese Philosophers|first=Bing|last=Song|editor-first=Bing|editor-last=Song|date=July 21, 2021|publisher=Springer Nature|pages=1–14|via=Springer Link|doi=10.1007/978-981-16-2309-7_1}}</ref> Berggruen China Center was founded on December 19, 2018, as the Berggruen Research Center, following a joint initiative between the Berggruen Institute and Peking University, in which the Berggruen Institute provided $25.5 million in funding in June 2018.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://m.bjnews.com.cn/detail/159186740015745.html|title=中国哲学如何看待人工智能？儒释道立场有别丨专访宋冰|website=m.bjnews.com.cn}}</ref> It runs a fellowship program and hosts symposia and conferences.<ref name="auto2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/berggruen-institute-invests-25.5-million-for-beijing-research-center|title=Berggruen Institute Invests $25.5 Million for Beijing Research Center|last=Candid|website=Philanthropy News Digest (PND)|language=en|access-date=2019-04-24}}</ref>
=== Casa dei Tre Oci === Casa dei Tre Oci is a neo-gothic building constructed in 1913 on the island of Giudecca in Venice, acquired by the Berggruen Institute in 2021 to serve as its European headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Gareth |date=2021-03-03 |title=Billionaire collector Nicolas Berggruen takes steps to buy historic Venetian palace and turn it into a cultural thinktank |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/03/03/billionaire-collector-nicolas-berggruen-takes-steps-to-buy-historic-venetian-palace-and-turn-it-into-a-cultural-thinktank |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events |language=en}}</ref>
=== Scholars' Campus === Scholars' Campus, also known as Monteverdi, is a planned 447-acre headquarters and residential research center for the Berggruen Institute, located west of the I-405 freeway and northeast of the Getty Center in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Gabriel |date=2017-12-21 |title=This Billionaire Is Building a "21st Century Monastery" for His Own Think Tank |url=https://lamag.com/news/billionaire-think-tank |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-berggruen-design-herzog-de-meuron-20170823-story.html|title=Herzog & de Meuron reveal plans for Berggruen Institute site north of the Getty Center|first=Eero|last=Saarinen|date=August 23, 2017|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Berggruen acquired the land in 2014 for $45 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-06 |title=How the 'Homeless Billionaire' Became a Philosopher King (Published 2022) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/magazine/nicolas-berggruen-philosophy.html |access-date=2025-07-31 |language=en}}</ref>
It is designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, with Gensler serving as executive architect.<ref name="auto6" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} * {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|465602320}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Berggruen Institute}} Category:Think tanks based in the United States Category:Think tanks established in 2010 Category:2010 establishments in California Category:Non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles