14th annual Tesla Spirit Conference
On that occasion, he emphasized that the scientific legacy and personal ethics of Nikola Tesla represent a lasting civilizational compass, especially in the modern era of accelerated development of artificial intelligence.
He highlighted that this year’s conference is of special significance, as it is being held in a year marking 170 years since the birth of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest minds in the history of humanity, as well as 250 years since the founding of the United States of America—the country that was Tesla’s home for most of his life and where he achieved his most important scientific and technological contributions.
Speaking about Tesla’s life journey, he noted that Tesla did not come to America as a refugee, but as an already established engineer and scientist, and that it was precisely in New York that he achieved his greatest accomplishments—from victory in the “War of Currents” to visionary ideas about wireless communication and energy transmission, which continue to shape the modern world today.
He stressed that Tesla was not only a brilliant scientist, but also a moral exemplar—a model of work ethic, humility, dedication to the common good, and deep rootedness in Serbian cultural tradition, whose values should continue to serve as guidance in a time of rapid technological development and increasingly complex ethical challenges.
In this context, he stated that the initiative to erect a monument to Nikola Tesla in New York is continuing, as a joint project of the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian-American community, and partner Tesla organizations. The monument is planned as a gift to the City of New York and a permanent reminder of Tesla’s immeasurable contribution to world science and civilization, with the goal of its unveiling on July 10, 2026, marking 170 years since his birth.
He also emphasized that Nikola Tesla has represented a symbol of inspiration, strength, and dignity for generations of Serbs in the United States and around the world—a “guiding star” demonstrating that it is possible to combine loyalty to a new homeland with the preservation of one’s own identity and spiritual values.
The conference brought together distinguished scientists and academics, representatives of scientific and educational institutions, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and other guests dedicated to preserving and promoting the scientific and cultural legacy of Nikola Tesla.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York is one of the conference’s co-organizers and this year provided its most significant institutional support to date.