Informing Choices Mini-Pod

The Rise of the Machines has a bit of Terminator feel to it, but as increasing automation plays a bigger role across life, society, and business, it’s hard to ignore the potential of AI and other automation technologies taking control.

But as well as the trepidation about dystopian potential, these same technologies offer incredible opportunity to enhance humanity. The question is, what could it mean to be more human in an ever more technology enabled world? And how might we as humans need to adapt and what will remain purely human?

To explore these questions and why 2023 was a tipping point we might look back on from 2033, I am joined by Strategist and Futurist Joana Lenkova.

You can learn more about Joana and her work by connecting with her as follows:

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Like a number of what we have come to consider as transformative technologies, the metaverse offers incredible potential to change how we access experiences, conduct business, respond to marketing messages, and fight gigantic battles to save the earth! It relies on the effective combination of multiple technologies to enable truly immersive experiences almost anywhere, blurring the boundaries between science and technology and magic.

To explore the opportunities presented by the metaverse, I am joined by Global Futurist & Metaverse Strategist at Accenture, Sylvia Gallusser.

You can learn more about Sylvia and her work by connecting with her as follows:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/ in/sylviagallusser

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Right now, mushrooms are in the spotlight as a meat substitute, medicine, bioremediation of oil and toxic chemicals, leather alternative, plastic alternative for some packaging, and mycelium networks in forests for carbon sequestration. They might be one of the most potent organisms to help us combat climate change.

To explore the opportunities presented by mushrooms and mycelium to help resolve some of humanity’s biggest challenges, I am joined by strategic communicator and futurist Gina Clifford.

You can learn more about Gina and her work by contacting and connecting with her as follows:

Email: [email protected]

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The confluence of trends such as demographic shifts, automation technologies such as AI and Machine Learning, together with developments in reducing age-related cognitive impairments are likely to have a dramatic effect on future workplaces.

To explore these factors I am joined by Strategic Foresight Advisor and Organizational Change Management and Communications consultant Rob Caldera.

You can learn more about Rob and his work by connecting with him as follows:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcaldera

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One of the most persistent ideas about artificial intelligence, is that there’s a clear distinction between what many commentators refer to as narrow AI and the goal of more general artificial intelligence, otherwise often referred to as artificial general intelligence (AGI). But there is evidence to suggest that a new perspective would be helpful in fostering balanced discussion on the technology’s evolution now. The progress in the development of AI with wider application begs the question; “Is 2023 about to become a turning point in the public conversation about the incredible potential of AI?”

To consider this question, I am delighted to welcome back futurist speaker, analyst, commentator, and author David Wood to the podcast.

You can learn more about David and his work as follows:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dw2cco

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To start the New Year, I am speaking to 6 futurist friends of the podcast - Alex Whittington, David Wood, Gina Clifford, Joana Lenkova, Rob Caldera, and Sylvia Gallusser to explore their thoughts on the new technologies, ideas, and developments that may emerge in 2023 that will have proven to be significant when we look back from 2033 – in 10 years’ time.

The convergence of digital technology and habits formed through the pandemic have changed how we shop. Click and collect, scan and pay, and pay-and-go – the Amazon style concept – have added choice to the options of online shopping and the brick-and-mortar store.

According to Modor Intelligence, the North American Retail Automation Market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 10.2% (2021-2026). The retail automation market in the United States is anticipated to be driven by the growing adoption of automation technologies by the major players, such as Amazon and Walmart; to cut down costs and drive efficiency and enhance the customer experience.

McKinsey say that the United Kingdom has gone further in adopting online shopping than any of its Western peers with 20% of UK consumers shop entirely or mostly online.

So what are the implications as these tech enabled options are implemented widely?

In this first episode of the New Year 2023 Mini-Series, I am joined by leading futurist Alexandra Whittington to consider this question.

You can learn more about Alex and her work by connecting with her as follows:

Email [email protected]

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We often see news items concerning the development of new technologies such as AI, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, and the metaverse and their potential future deployment. The implications across enterprise and our private lives are often uncertain and depending on one’s point of view represent a possible journey to dystopia or utopia. The journey can be framed as a conflict as humanity versus technology, or an opportunity to achieve super abundance.

But which technologies, ideas, and developments that may emerge in 2023 will have proven to be significant when we look back from 2033 – in 10 years’ time?

This new mini-series will explore some of the ideas of six futurist friends of the podcast, in the following six episodes.

You can learn more about me and my work by connecting with me as follows:

Email: [email protected]

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Here’s a question: How has the way you plan to spend Christmas this year, changed from 10 or 20 years ago, and how might it change in the future?

Last year, together with six futurists, we explored how Christmas and the holiday season more broadly might change in the future, and we are going to tap into their ideas again for this festive episode of the Informing Choices Mini-Pod.

The combination of social, technological, and environmental trends in particular are driving change in everyday life, society, and business. The way we celebrate traditional cultural, spiritual, and family events continues to evolve. Technology offers new ways to celebrate and reminisce about Christmases long in the past and create new traditions. And the environment and sustainability agenda more broadly shape how we use resources to help us celebrate.

Contributors:

Steve Wells

Gina Clifford

Sylvia Galluser

Joana Lenkova

Rob Caldera

Alex Whittington

Rohit Talwar

To listen to the full episodes posted last Christmas, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPGQsWgu3k8&list=PLIxf6tAhDzmN7kJrCpcACceVY85fT_3kE

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* Editorial problem with this episode resolved - 12th December. Apologies for any inconvenience. *

The idea of the metaverse is of an iteration of the Internet as a single, universal, and immersive virtual world that is facilitated by the use of virtual reality and augmented reality devices. Right now, it might be more accurate to describe it as a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection. There are plenty of ideas about what the metaverse might be in the future; how it might evolve from gaming, a virtual workplace, a concert venue, lecture hall, or fashion store.

Today, we will focus on the metaverse and the future of play, and I am delighted to welcome back friend of the podcast, leading futurist and member of Tata Consulting Services Future of Business team, Alexandra Whittington.

You can learn more about Alex and her work by connecting with her as follows:

Email [email protected]

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With the football World Cup in Qatar upon us, I was reflecting on how new technologies and other drivers of change might impact on how the game is refereed and how tournaments - such as the World Cup - are managed and the criteria for host bids considered. And could there be competition to, what has become known, as “the beautiful game”?

So to consider the 2038 World Cup, I have created a brief scenario to explore some of the changes we might see.

You can learn more about me and my work by connecting with me as follows:

Email [email protected]

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/football-shoe-fire-fantasy-flame-3024154