Informing Choices Mini-Pod

In this new series of the podcast, I want to look farther into the future with my guests; to 2050 and beyond. So I will be exploring what our world might look like in the second half of this century; consider the roles that innovative technologies might play in a re-invented future; and what major changes we could see that would have a profound impact across life, society, and business. The first episode of this new series drops on Wednesday 6th September. You can catch this and all episodes of the Informing Choices Mini Pod podcast here:  Spotify’s Anchor platform https://anchor.fm/steve-wells-futurist YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIxf6tAhDzmP9QuhPwja1UH4ivsx-YTh9 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7IuO9njK4Yzfn4fUO6QLM9 Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/informing-choices-mini-pod/id1536985114 Google https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zY2FhZDQzMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Amazon https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4eaf4815-267d-4b4d-a6d4-fb3558a2e306/informing-choices-minipod (sign in required) Podcast Addict https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/3240030 Radio Public https://radiopublic.com/informing-choices-pod-6pkwXL Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1536985114/informing-choices-pod (account required) Pocket Casts https://pca.st/bhv6n89l (account required) Credits Images: https://pixabay.com/photos/doors-choices-choose-decision-1690423 https://pixabay.com/photos/wormhole-time-travel-portal-vortex-2514312 https://pixabay.com/photos/road-asphalt-people-be-amazed-2644130 https://pixabay.com/photos/future-digitization-automation-4127468 https://pixabay.com/photos/robot-cyborg-futuristic-android-3310190   Pixabay (Music) License Certificate This document confirms the download of an audio file pursuant to the Content License as defined in the Pixabay Terms of Service available at https://pixabay.com/service/terms/ Licensor's Username: https://pixabay.com/users/zen_man-4257870/ Licensee: Steve-Wells Audio File Title: Background Loop Chill Techno #05 Audio File URL: https://pixabay.com/music/electronic-background-loop-chill-techno-05-3511/ Audio File ID: 3511 Date of download: 2023-07-13 13:17:07 UTC Pixabay GmbH c/o Lacore Rechtsanwälte LLP Berliner Freiheit 2, 10785 Berlin, Germany Pixabay is a user-contributed stock content website. The above-named Licensor is responsible for this audio file. Pixabay monitors uploaded audio files only to a reasonable extent. Pixabay cannot be held responsible for the acts or omissions of its users and does not represent or warrant that any required third-party consents or licenses have been obtained. For any queries related to this document please contact Pixabay via [email protected].

Jacinda Ardern’s decision to step down as New Zealand’s Prime Minister came as a surprise to many. She became the world’s youngest female head of government when she was elected prime minister in 2017 at 37. She has led New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of disasters including the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, and the White Island volcanic eruption. Asked how she would like New Zealanders to remember her leadership, Ardern said “as someone who always tried to be kind”. “I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused. And that you can be your own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go,” Ardern said. The prime minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to Ardern, saying she “has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength … She has demonstrated that empathy and insight are powerful leadership qualities.” Relational Systems Architect, Leadership Development & Impact Coach, and creator of Mycelium Collab Alessandra Marazzi posed the question, “What would the world look if we all wanted to be remembered, as someone who always tried to be kind?” Which in turn begs the question, “Is kindness the leadership competence of the future?” To consider this question, I am delighted to welcome Alessandra back to the podcast. You can learn more about Alessandra and her work by contacting and connecting with her as follows: Email [email protected] LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/alessandra-marazzi Web https://alessandramarazzi.com Credits: Image https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-together-community-touch-5216585 Music: Anchor

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: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joana-lenkova Twitter https://twitter.com/_FuturesForward Website www.futures-forward.com Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-information-technology-digital-3374462 Music: Anchor     

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 Blog https://siliconhumanism.home.blog Email [email protected] Twitter @SGallusser Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/virtual-reality-metaverse-7440751 Music: Anchor

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] LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaclifford Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/G1naClifford Additional Information Mushroom and other Fungi Trends: https://artfulliving.com/mushroom-trend-2022 Bio-inspired communities: https://bestlab.mlsoc.vt.edu/sites/bestlab/files/upload/publications/The%20Mycorrho-grid%20-%20A%20Blockchain-based%20Mycorrhizal%20Model%20for%20Smart%20Solar%20Microgrids.pdf Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/mushrooms-fungi-edible-389421 Music: Anchor

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 Website https://www.futureshiftconsulting.com Twitter https://twitter.com/robcaldera Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/head-heads-man-woman-avert-197347 Music: Anchor

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 Twitter https://twitter.com/dw2 London Futurists https://londonfuturists.com Future Surge: https://futuresurge.org London Futurists Podcast: https://londonfuturists.buzzsprout.com Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/futuristic-ai-background-pattern-7635520 Music: Anchor

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] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-whittington-futurist Twitter https://twitter.com/alexandra4casts Blog https://partnersinforesight.blogspot.com Credits Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/drone-logistics-drone-package-drone-2816244 Music: Anchor

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] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wells-futurist-speaker Twitter: https://twitter.com/informingchoice Articles and Media: http://informingchoices.blogspot.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/InformingChoices Website: http://www.stevewells.uk Credits: Image https://pixabay.com/photos/fantasy-portrait-clock-time-2790666

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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wells-futurist-speaker Twitter: https://twitter.com/informingchoice Gina Clifford LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ginaclifford Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/G1naClifford Sylvia Galluser LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvialeroux Blog: https://siliconhumanism.home.blog/ Joana Lenkova LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joana-lenkova/ Twitter https://twitter.com/_FuturesForward Rob Caldera LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcaldera Twitter https://twitter.com/robcaldera Alex Whittington LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-whittington-futurist Twitter https://twitter.com/alexandra4casts Rohit Talwar LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rohit-talwar-futurist-keynote-speaker Twitter: https://twitter.com/fastfuture To listen to the full episodes posted last Christmas, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPGQsWgu3k8&list=PLIxf6tAhDzmN7kJrCpcACceVY85fT_3kE Credits: Image https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-blue-black-2933008 Music JuliusH on Pixabay.com https://pixabay.com/music/traditional-jazz-jingle-bells-jazzy-style-christmas-swing-music-1284