Be Bold. Prepare for Futures: A guide to exploring tomorrow, today.
Keynote presentation.
By James Clampett, 0900 Friday 24 March 2023, Local Government Association of South Australia Communications Conference, Adelaide, South Australia. Slides supporting presentation available at end of page.
Feedback from attendees.
“James’ session provided not only many thought-provoking topics relevant to now and in the future and further learning opportunities on his website that I could share with the team.”
“James was great, we need to learn more in this area.”
“Clampett brought blue-sky thinking to the event, a more strategic approach than just down in the details. Comms and marketing people can certainly learn from this.”
Presentation transcript.
Hi, my name is James and today I am going to take you on a journey into futures.
As humans we all dream, plan, hope and fear futures. From when we are kids we all spend time creating a view of what our futures will be like. We start with questions: Will I be happy? Will I be rich? Will I have a successful career? Will I fall in love? Having formed a view of our preferred futures our life actions begin to help manifest what appears before us. Sometimes our plans are achieved, sometimes exceeded and sometimes the reality of life falls well short of where we wanted to be. As much as we aim for control of our lives there is a natural uncertainty and randomness to the way life unfolds.
Mostly our life planning is bounded by what has happened to people like us before, what our parents and teachers tell us is possible, and the knowledge we gain from experiences and learning.
In business, the same process occurs but on a much larger scale. Companies form plans, set goals and select strategies to create their preferred futures. Again this is largely bounded by what has happened before and through the experience of how society, technology, economy, environment or politics have shifted over time.
Economists use the concept of bounded rationality to explain how we make decisions. In essence, that we tend to act within parameters that are defined by our cognitive abilities and the available information. As a result, we tend to limit our decision-making options to what we know to be true and what best suits our needs at the time we make the decision.
In a stable world, this type of decision-making works more often than not, but when the world around us is unstable decision-making becomes much harder - I call this:
“working in the place of not knowing.”
A fast-changing, uncertain world is here to stay.
In December 2019 COVID-19 emerged and changed our world, suddenly and dramatically. People of all kinds had to make decisions in the place of not knowing. Companies, governments and individuals had to operate without having a clear understanding of how this virus would evolve and what it would mean for them. We locked down whole societies, we reinvented how we live and work and for many of us, life changed in ways that we could never have predicted.
In the face of such instability, governments, organisations and individuals that had been working in a bounded reality suddenly had to start exploring how to make decisions in a fast-changing, uncertain world - a place full of unknowns.
In 2023 the world is far less stable and uncertain than it was in 2019. We have war, we have inflation, we have climate change and still the COVID-19 pandemic. The world is constantly changing and there is no way of predicting what each day will bring.
How do you prepare for futures in this uncertain environment?
How do you move from making decisions based on what you think you know, to exploring the unknown?
What if you could explore futures with more confidence and greater reliability?
What if, instead of limiting yourself to decisions restricted by what has happened in the past, or by what you think you know, you could use new data to explore and prepare for a range of futures?
Today I am going to introduce you to a new way of planning and making decisions using foresight, also called futures thinking. Foresight is the ability to think about and prepare for a range of possible futures. By using foresight we can move from making decisions in a bounded reality to exploring the unknown with more confidence and greater reliability.
“Foresight shifts ad-hoc thinking about futures to thinking more systematically.”
First, let’s take a look at what foresight is. Foresight is essentially a form of longer-term thinking which takes into account emerging change and trend data appearing today and then extrapolates this forward to model a range of potential futures. This allows organisations and individuals to make better-informed decisions in the present by forming a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, what potential futures might emerge.
The process of building foresight involves gathering data from a variety of sources such as current trends, emerging technologies and social behaviours etc. This data is then evaluated and modelled to help identify potential futures. By understanding the drivers of change behind these trends and modelling potential futures, organisations can begin to prepare for these new realities.
Organisations that use foresight are better placed to anticipate and prepare for a range of possible futures. This helps them make more informed decisions in the present, build resilience into their planning and ensure they remain competitive in uncertain times.
Foresight is increasingly being used by organisations across all sectors as they look to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that their longer-term plans can adapt across a range of possible, probable and preferred, and even wildcard, future scenarios. Using foresight also actively engages us in influencing what futures might emerge as our decisions and actions today play a role in what might appear tomorrow.
At its heart, foresight is about helping organisations and individuals make decisions in a fast-changing and uncertain world, so they can prepare for a range of futures. By gathering data, modelling potential futures and understanding what today's decisions could look like in tomorrow's world, foresight helps us build plans and make decisions with more confidence and greater reliability.
Building foresight capability in governments.
Governments and bureaucracies are increasingly aware of the importance of thinking longer-term beyond politics and election cycles. They are looking to build foresight capabilities to better understand and plan for emerging changes.
Foresight helps governments anticipate change, identify potential opportunities and threats, and start planning for a range of futures. Governments also use foresight to better understand the implications of their policy decisions and anticipate how potential changes will interact with future social, economic, technological and environmental realities.
Foresight capability building is a process that requires time, resources and an understanding of the methodologies involved. By understanding how the world is changing and building plans that can adapt across a range of possible futures, governments can make more informed decisions in the present to better prepare for what might happen next.
Foresight in the Singapore government.
Singapore is often highlighted as the world leader in building foresight capability in its public service.
The Singapore Government started to think more about its futures in the late 1980s, starting as an experiment with the Ministry of Defence. In 1995, a Scenario Planning Office (SPO) was established within Prime Minister's Office so that whole-of-government scenarios could be developed and examined.
The Centre for Strategic Futures (CSF) was created within the SPO in 2009, serving as a think tank focused on addressing potential future issues and driving long-term research. The CSF is tasked with uncovering tomorrow's opportunities today for the Singapore government and invigorating strategic planning, coordination and development across the Singapore public service as well as cultivating new capabilities.
The CSF's vision is:
"to build a strategically agile public service ready to manage a complex and fast-changing environment."
Other standout users of foresight in the public sector are the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Finland and UAE.
Foresight capability in Australian governments.
In Australia, foresight capability exists in various federal government departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Department of Defence.
Australian State government examples include in NSW the Shaping Futures strategic intelligence and foresight branch, based in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, that supports NSW Government. In South Australia, there is the Foresight Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In the Victorian Government, Sustainability Victoria recently held a Futures Forum - an inaugural event for their new Future and Foresight Network. Other States have more decentralised foresight activities across digital, natural resource management, energy and innovation functions.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has a division called CSIRO Futures that analyses emerging trends, scenarios, and model plans to generate insights and inform future strategy and policy decisions.
Foresight as anticipatory governance.
Foresight in government is often referred to as anticipatory governance. The OECD defines anticipatory governance as the:
“systematic embedding and application of strategic foresight throughout the entire governance architecture, including policy analysis, engagement, and decision-making.”
Anticipatory governance provides governments with an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive in a rapidly changing world.
By taking a proactive approach, governments are better placed to prepare for potential changes in their environment. This involves developing policies, plans and strategies that anticipate futures and manage risk more effectively. Anticipatory governance also opens up opportunities for innovation and collaboration as well as increased engagement with citizens on issues of long-term importance.
It is no longer enough for public policy to be adaptive posthoc; building foresight capability in the public sector provides the opportunity to build an anticipatory and agile government. This allows governments to not only respond to change but proactively shape their futures.
Ultimately, foresight capability should help public servants better anticipate and respond to the needs of citizens today, while also helping create an adaptive system that can prepare for and manage disruptive change across a range of potential futures.
How do we think about futures?
If we agree that foresight has merits and that futures thinking is a useful tool for use in disruptive, uncertain and fast-changing times.
How do we do it?
There is no single approach to foresight, but the following steps provide a useful framework for considering potential futures:
Understand the current context – Take stock of what’s happening now and how your organisation relates to the world around it.
Identify emerging changes and trends - Pay attention to changes and trends in society, technology, the economy, the environment and politics.
Build key drivers - Use those emerging changes and trends to create a set of drivers that could shape future outcomes.
Create scenarios - Generate plausible futures based on the key drivers.
Analyse implications - Assess the implications for your organisation, stakeholders or policy areas of interest.
Develop responses – Create strategies or plans to respond to different potential futures.
The Futures Platform and foresight radars.
Today, we are going to focus on identifying emerging change and trend data using the Futures Platform, visualising these data points on a foresight radar and then thinking about some scenarios.
The Futures Platform is a world-leading database of emerging change and trends curated by academically trained futurists supported by industry-leading technology. It enables organisations to access and visualise emerging change and trends in one place. The database covers over 1000 data points, including technology, science, social trends, the environment, culture, the economy and politics.
The Futures Platform also allows for the creation of foresight radars – which are visualisations that display a selection of emerging change and trend phenomena in one chart. The radars can be tailored to an organisation’s context, needs and objectives and provide a powerful way of showing emerging change and trends. Collaboration tools allow for the radar content to be shared, rated, ranked and discussed among internal teams or with external stakeholders.
In combination with the team at the Futures Platform, insight & foresight built a radar example that can apply to local governments in South Australia. It is a general radar created to engage attendees in foresight, create discussion and showcase the radar functionality. The content relates to local government in general and has not been tailored to any specific entity or context.
A foresight radar built using the Futures Platform
A foresight radar is an effective way to assess the implications and opportunities of emerging trends for organisations and can be used to drive strategy and planning. It also provides a jumping-off point for deeper exploration, enabling your organisation to zoom into specific trend topics or data points.
By using the Futures Platform and foresight radars, organisations can prepare for possible futures, build resilience and enhance strategic decision-making. This is particularly valuable in today’s complex, uncertain world where new knowledge is constantly emerging and traditional planning approaches no longer provide sufficient insights into what might happen next.
Emerging change and trends to watch.
Right now, change is occurring across politics and policies, public governance, population, energy, climate change, technology, and urbanisation, which could have a significant impact on how councils will operate, communicate, and engage with citizens.
What changes could have the most impact?
Let's look at 5 key drivers of potential change. To create these I have used various combinations of the emerging change and trends phenomena from the Futures Platform foresight radar, and elements of design fiction. Key drivers are the observable phenomenon that could shape future outcomes, and ones you should keep an eye on.
Key driver 1: New People.
(Trends: Ageing Population, Migration to Midsize Cities, Climate Refugees, Smart Countryside, Social Mobility)
In ten years, the people of South Australia will most likely be different to the people today due to several population trends occurring now including an ageing population, migration to midsize cities, climate refugees, smart countryside and social mobility trends. This could lead to a new population mix with different characteristics which will require local councils to consider how they engage with people and provide services effectively.
Medical advancements, higher living standards and lower fertility rates are causing a dramatic shift in the age structure globally. Generations born now and in the future will live longer than their predecessors ever did - plus with a decreasing birth rate, there is an increasing proportion of older people within populations around the world. This shift has implications for pension funds, care and health services, retirement provisions and housing.
The magnetism of mid-sized cities, towns, and suburbs has been on a steady rise since the start of this century. However, with more employers offering remote work and online education options due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend was propelled even further across the globe. The pandemic saw many people relocate to cities of medium size in search of a better quality of life and more reasonably priced homes when they no longer were required physical presence at work or school. If this trend continues, local councils will need to consider how they can effectively adapt services and infrastructure in cities with a growing proportion of remote workers.
Climate refugees, or climate migrants, are individuals who must leave their homes either temporarily or altogether because of the changes in their environment. When it comes to mass migration, whether internal or external, a significant number of logistical, social and political difficulties arise. Acclimating to gradual population shifts is typically manageable; however, governments might find themselves challenged when preparing for the consequences of large-scale environmental disasters. During any migration crisis, providing food and accommodation becomes an urgent need. However, longer-term challenges such as creating employment opportunities for refugees and helping them mix into local society could also arise. This potential sudden large movement of people puts strain on a country's economic stability and social sustainability, and municipalities should be prepared with adequate resources to address the challenge.
Digitising rural areas will revolutionise the traditional industries that used to dominate these regions, such as agriculture and forestry. A "smart" digitally enabled countryside can give businesses access to new sources of revenue by unlocking untouched markets. Plus, if this brings in a wave of teleworking opportunities, it could decentralise business innovation hubs and open up industry access to new talent pools. The current trends of urban growth, greater respect for nature, and the potential to enhance remote working and telepresence technologies may motivate the population to move from cities to rural areas. These changes will only be successful if advanced technology allows different lifestyles with a wide range of amenities while still providing high-quality living conditions no matter where one resides. As traditional education and full-time employment become less essential in modern society, people will have more freedom when it comes to deciding their place of residence.
Social mobility has been in decline since the 1990s - particularly during the Great Recession in 2007 - as economic expansion halted and labour markets contracted. It is predicted that social mobility will keep diminishing, particularly in developed countries. The economic position of one's parents is a leading indicator of their financial standing as an adult. Technology is rapidly disrupting the mid-skill job market, creating an ever larger wage gap between low and high-skill workers. This lack of social mobility has serious implications for individuals, societies and economies; reducing economic growth as well as cohesion and innovation in our society. Apart from the adverse impact on mental and physical health, widening gaps between social groups could lead to a lack of faith in governing institutions, stir up political divisions, and open doors for extremist ideologies.
Key driver 2: Robot Friends.
(Trends: AI in Participatory Democracy, Software Robots as Journalists, Social Robots, 6G Network)
The role of robots and artificial intelligence in our lives is increasing dramatically.
As technology continues to be ever more deeply integrated into our day-to-day lives, the pervasive use of artificial intelligence could potentially revolutionise how we engage in democracy. Futures Platform futurist analysis shows that, amongst the numerous potential scenarios, there is a high likelihood of acceptance of non-sentient AI platforms and avatars with an appropriate legal framework in direct democracies by 2040. Using algorithmic avatars - that possibly know us better than we understand ourselves - could change democratic participation. AI and avatar systems could serve as virtual assistants making automated decisions on our behalf while representing us politically.
Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised the process of modern journalism, and for news outlets that have employed robot journalists in their workforce, it has decreased the need for human resources. The journalism industry has experienced a sea change with the advent of AI technology, providing small media outlets with an unprecedented advantage to compete in larger markets and shine a light on stories that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. AI is currently unable to grasp the ethical principles of journalism and consequently, cannot be completely trusted with content creation. Furthermore, data analysed by AI may contain biases and assumptions made by humans who coded the algorithm, as a result, human journalists need to work in tandem with AI for the foreseeable future.
As robots advance socially many service sector jobs which have relied on human interaction will gradually be replaced. Robots could soon provide tours of museums or act as hotel receptionists and in the future, social robots may even take on caretaking roles such as day-care centres and nursing homes. By honing their abilities to interpret people's needs and respond accordingly, these automated machines can more easily carry out tasks usually reserved for humans. Consequently, we should expect to see an increased presence of social robots taking over traditional customer service positions in the next 10-15 years.
The upcoming 6G network is predicted to be available by the year 2030, though its development is still in its infancy. At this point, many are expecting a much larger capacity from 6G; some estimates even suggest it may reach one terabit per second speed — that's 8,000 times faster than 5G. 6G could be a massive game-changer for AI and machine learning, as well as further develop advanced touch screens and hologram interfaces. Not only that, but the far-future potential of this technology may even enable us to connect our brains to computers. This could effectively create a cyberspace environment to support human thinking and action which will allow virtual communication more fluidly than ever before while bringing new kinds of experiences into our lives.
Key driver 3: Farming Futures.
(Trends: Invincible weeds, IoT-Based irrigation, Water Management Technology, Cleantech, Zero Emission Cities)
The future of farming in South Australia is an exciting one. In the next decade, we can expect to see several technological advances that could revolutionise the way farmers work and manage their land. From invincible weeds to IOT-based irrigation and water management technology, cleantech, and zero-emission cities, South Australia is poised to become a leader in sustainable agriculture.
As the number of resistant weed species continues to rise at a concerning rate, food security is being placed in danger. Moreover, warmer temperatures generated by climate change are only accelerating this growth. To battle these ever-evolving weeds, farmers are employing countermeasures such as crop rotation, yet more innovative solutions must be developed if food production is to remain viable in the future. Fortunately, with continued investment into AI-enabled weed control and biotechnology, farmers will soon have access to better tools for optimising crop yields. Futures Platform futurist research suggests that in the next 10 to 15 years, smart farming practices will become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated. Farming robots with highly sensitive sensors could be deployed to eradicate harmful plants quickly and accurately. Moreover, swarms of robot farming drones may work together as a team to action many standard farming practices. This would revolutionise traditional agricultural processes - reducing dependency on chemical products while simultaneously transforming the role of farmers into factory administrators who oversee robot operations.
IoT-enabled irrigation systems can optimise water flow efficiently and accurately, based on the condition of the soil. Sensors placed on the crops, or even drones flying overhead with wireless distributed sensors attached to them will supply data that allows for adjustments in watering timing. Collected information from these devices can monitor exactly how much H2O needs to be dispersed across each crop field and identify where the most critical need is located. South Australian irrigators should be able to conserve water and maximize crop yields more efficiently reducing the political and social pressure to shift away from irrigation crops.
As climate change and population growth continue to place a strain on water resources, new technologies are being developed that promote efficient use of the available water. These emerging methods have an integral role in ensuring future access to clean drinking water while simultaneously protecting agricultural production. As society continues to prioritize sustainability and the preservation of food production, utility providers and businesses will have no choice but to invest in innovative water management strategies such as wastewater management, infrastructure circulation/distribution systems, desalination technologies and purification processes. With climate change resulting in an increased likelihood of severe droughts occurring in dry regions, these technological advancements can help increase their resilience against further environmental damage. By the early 2030s seawater desalination will have progressed significantly and continues to provide sustainable solutions for municipal water supply.
Cleantech is a field of innovative, sustainable solutions that are friendly to the environment and designed to increase efficiency and productivity. These cutting-edge technologies have one aim: reducing pollution levels by eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality through improved water filtration systems, as well as increasing energy usage and resource conservation. Companies that can offer advanced material and energy-efficient solutions to meet emission regulations will unlock tremendous business opportunities. This rapid growth of these businesses means the positive economic expansion and a surge in job openings.
Implementing new technologies and services may require substantial upfront investments on the part of governments, organisations, and individuals. However, these same entities can benefit from considerable resource and cost savings in the long run. To drive green technology adoption even further, governments could introduce legislative measures as well as provide economic incentives to promote sustainability initiatives.
With global climate warming and its effects more evident around the world, discussions of climate change are becoming increasingly prevalent in both domestic policy debates as well as international conversations. Whilst current net-zero conversations are focused at global and national levels, opportunities will emerge for local government. At the municipal level, if zero-emission initiatives become successful, cities have a unique opportunity to develop innovative policies and strategies for reducing the impacts of climate change. This can make them frontrunners in responding to this growing global crisis. Cities are uniquely positioned to tailor their net-zero goals to meet local and regional needs, resulting in systemic improvements like efficient building construction, clean electrification, decarbonisation and smart energy infrastructure. These measures have the potential not only for achieving a carbon-neutral future but also to enhance the quality of life for citizens.
Key driver 4: Crisis Communications.
(Trends: Smart City Attack, Dependency on Grids, Activism Terrorism, Cyberwarfare)
The future of crisis communications may look vastly different in 10 years, as local governments grapple with several emerging trends. From smart city attacks and dependency on grids to activism terrorism and cyber warfare, local governments should be prepared for a world filled with new threats and challenges. To protect citizens and maintain trust in government institutions, governments should create comprehensive strategies for handling crises.
The ever-growing connection between the cyber and physical realms amplifies risks to physical city operations when cybersecurity is compromised. By incorporating technologies such as transportation, health services, energy use, water management, waste collection, smart buildings and security into their system - cities are now more open to cyber attacks than ever before. Futures can be envisioned where city services are as advanced and digitised as possible, with virtual spaces being used regularly by citizens as much as physical spaces. What's more, the distinction between physical and digital realms is nonexistent due to near-perfect integration. As such, people gain access to efficient and convenient services that make life simpler yet when these technologies stop working due to poor service or hijacking they cause pandemonium among the citizens who rely on them daily. Local governments will hold far greater amounts of citizen data, placing them in a vulnerable position due to the potential for data breaches. The way local governments handle crisis communications will have to evolve as these threats become more commonplace and severe. Governments should be equipped with comprehensive strategies that allow them to respond effectively while ensuring citizens remain informed at all times.
Today and increasingly so in our futures, modern lifestyles and economies are heavily dependent on electricity and data networks. If these were to experience a prolonged disruption, it would likely result in major human misery and economic damage. From natural disasters to cyber-attacks, the power grids of today face a myriad of risks. Cities should develop strategies for keeping their citizens safe and informed during blackouts and other large-scale power outages. Local governments should take into account the unique challenges posed by distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal and storage facilities to create robust response plans. These proactive measures could include educating citizens on emergency preparedness and developing networks with other cities to share resilient energy resources.
In the face of these potential threats, local governments should also prepare for activism terrorism, where physical acts of destruction are committed as a political statement. As concerns over the climate, protecting nature and addressing discrimination grow increasingly urgent, activists may resort to radical measures to bring about immediate change. These extreme activities could include sabotaging production plants, storming government buildings or committing data breaches--not only posing a danger to society but also potentially leading to the widespread destruction of property. Governments must be prepared to handle these situations with empathy and respect, while also maintaining security and upholding public safety.
The futures of crisis communications and management in our cities are uncertain, but governments must be prepared to face these emerging trends. By creating comprehensive strategies for handling crises, local governments can protect their citizens and maintain trust in government institutions. In the age of smart cities and virtual spaces, local governments need to be vigilant and proactive about crisis communications.
Key driver 5: New Government.
(Trends: Governments Pressuring Companies, Social Ranking Systems, Blockchain, Smart Cities, Transparent Society)
As emerging changes and trends build momentum the landscape of how governments interact with their citizens and businesses could be drastically altered.
Companies that want to enter local markets are increasingly being made to comply with local regulations. In the case of technology companies, for instance, there could be rules about what kind of data may be shared or held within their digital platform and who is allowed access to the company's device. Governments are playing a much larger role in defining how a company can operate in its jurisdiction.
Some governments, (eg: China), are attempting to construct a system that utilizes extensive data from sources such as financial and legal records plus social media posts to generate algorithm-based trustworthiness scores for their citizens. These social ranking systems could potentially give governments the ability to monitor people’s behaviour and have an upper hand in controlling their population. In Rotterdam, a machine learning algorithm produces a risk rating for each of the city's approximately 30,000 welfare recipients that are utilised by municipal officials in determining whom to investigate for welfare fraud.
Blockchain is likely to revolutionise not only the financial sector but also several other industries such as healthcare, retail, energy management, cyber security, insurance, supply chains and voting. Using blockchain for voting, for instance, could significantly increase the security of data and the speed with which election results are known. In a blockchain-enabled election, rather than waiting hours, days, or even months for results to come in, the voting process is rapid and reliable - delivering accurate outcomes within minutes.
As time passes, smart cities may become even more independent and need less human interference. High-income countries with many small smart cities will possibly depend on AI that runs autonomously on sensors to manage everyday tasks without any input from humans. Collecting more data empowers cities to make tailored decisions that are appropriate for their individual needs. Smart city infrastructure can be used to track and manage available space, detect hazards in public areas as well as monitor crowd density and cleanliness of shared spaces - issuing warnings when abnormal conditions occur. All these advantages enhance safety and well-being. Local governments managing smart cities could be able to help citizens access services and information that are timely and relevant to their needs.
Many governments and organisations in Western/democratic countries are looking to set up a digital ecosystem where citizen data can be exchanged in an open, transparent and secure way. We could expect to see a movement towards increased openness, inclusivity, and engaging decision-making models throughout the global West. This change is linked to similar changes in civil society such as shifts in leadership, information, policy-making and labour to a more collaborative and networked way of working. In addition, new methods for influencing the public are being discussed such as 'collaborative e-democracy', 'super democracy' or even open source governance; all made possible by advanced technology management tools. These initiatives could defy existing structures and systems, as they empower the crowd to collect data and make decisions on a scale never seen before. With this newfound ability comes an immense potential for progress within our society.
Be Bold.
Our journey into futures started when we were born. When we were first able to think beyond our immediate needs and dream about what might happen next. The world is changing fast and we don't know what is around the next corner. Using foresight we can explore the possibilities and develop strategies for creating better futures. We can be active participants in influencing the outcomes and not just passive observers. We can be bold and brave enough to take risks, challenge existing norms and create positive outcomes. It may seem daunting at first but with a little courage, we can make a real difference in our futures.
Be Bold. Be Brave. Embrace change and be prepared to take risks. Dare to challenge conventions, think beyond our current boundaries and innovate in all aspects of life. Explore new ways of doing things, experiment with ideas, and create solutions that work in this ever-changing world.
Don't predict, prepare. The future is unpredictable and it's impossible to know exactly what will happen. However, we can prepare ourselves by being open-minded, curious and innovative. We must continue to learn new skills, stay informed of the latest trends and technologies, and use foresight tools that help us develop our plans for a range of potential futures. By having an open mindset, we can remain agile and flexible enough to adapt to whatever changes futures may bring.
The biggest challenge for our species is to have the courage and insight to embrace what lies ahead in a manner that creates a positive impact. The time has come for us to be bold, as individuals and as a collective, to make a lasting impact on our futures. We must reject fear of the unknown, seek out knowledge and strive towards progress that is inclusive and equitable. It is now up to us to rise to the occasion and take our destiny into our own hands. Let us be bold in exploring new opportunities, taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We can only achieve brighter futures if we dare to break through existing barriers and find ways of working together towards a shared vision. Let us be bold in our choices, as they will shape new pathways into the unknown. Our futures await and we must seize them with courage and optimism.
Be bold!
Let's shape our futures together!
References.
Reference sources are provided as hyperlinks where required.
insight & foresight subscribes to the Futures Platform database. The emerging change and trend data displayed on the foresight radar and used in the scenarios have been sourced from the Futures Platform database.
insight & foresight has taken all care in the preparation of the information contained in this presentation. It is of a general nature, and you are responsible for how you use the information.
