A Glimpse into the Future is a podcast series by The World Economic Forum that gives you access to insights from some of the world’s top experts. Every week, a distinguished member of the Global Future Councils explores how breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas could help us shape our future.
Cities and Urbanization
What are the most significant trends we are seeing as city administrations prepare for the fourth industrial revolution and what can we expect in the coming years? Is all the technology innovation we see in consumer markets really necessary for all cities around the world, or maybe just some? What are the most innovative business models and technologies that have had a transformative effect on global cities? What are the key traits of a city that is open to innovation? In this week's episode of "A Glimpse into the Future," we talk to Abha Joshi-Ghani, Senior Advisor on Infrastructure, Public-Private Partnerships and Guarantees at The World Bank and Carlo Ratti, Director of the SENSEable City Laboratory at MIT. Abha and Carlo are also the co-chairs of the World Economic Forum Council on Cities and Urbanization.
6/29/2018 • 12 minutes, 47 seconds
Financial and Monetary Systems
How would you describe the value the financial system provides to society? How do financial systems get decentralized? Looking to the next 10-15 years, what is the most realistic scenario we can imagine and what do we need to do to get there? Alternatively, what is the most negative scenario and what actions, or inactions, would get us there? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Cecilia Skingsley, Deputy Governor of the Swedish Central Bank and Axel P. Lehmann, President of UBS Switzerland. Cecilia and Axel are also the co-chairs of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of Financial and Monetary Systems.
6/29/2018 • 8 minutes, 26 seconds
Global Economy
After a number of years of economic crisis, can we now be optimistic about the progress of the global economy? What are the implications of the backlash against globalization? With the coming of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, what new opportunities or tools can help keep the global economy together? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Hélène Rey, Lord Bagri Professor of Economics at the London Business School, and member of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of Financial and Monetary Systems.
6/29/2018 • 14 minutes, 58 seconds
Advanced Materials
“A Glimpse into the Future” is a new podcast series that gives you access to insights from some of the world’s top experts. Every week, a distinguished member of the Global Future Councils explores how breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas could help us actively shape our future. In this week’s episode, we talk with Dr Bernard Meyerson, Chief Innovation Officer of IBM and a co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Advanced Materials. How can developments in the field of materials science help us deal with issues from water access to energy security and environmental sustainability? What is blocking their way and what we can do to unlock their potential? Tune in and find out!
6/1/2018 • 18 minutes, 51 seconds
AI and Decision-making
“A Glimpse into the Future” is a series that gives you access to insights from some of the world’s top experts. Every week, a distinguished member of the Global Future Councils explores how breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas could help us actively shape our future. In this week’s episode, we talk with Bob Goodson, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quid. Bob is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. How far away are we in the journey to develop true artificial intelligence? How will artificial intelligence enter our everyday lives in the upcoming decade? What are some of the disruptions it will bring with it? Tune in and find out!
6/1/2018 • 26 minutes, 7 seconds
Computing
“A Glimpse into the Future” is a podcast series that gives you access to the ideas and insights of some of the world’s greatest experts. In this week’s interview, we talk with Professor Justine Cassell, Associate Dean for Technology Strategy & Impact in Carnegie Mellon University and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Computing. How will new developments in computing devices and the way we interact with them affect our education, health and mobility systems? Will it completely change the way we live? Tune in and find out!
6/1/2018 • 13 minutes, 39 seconds
Technology and Governments
A Glimpse into the Future” is a podcast series that gives you access to ideas and insights of some of the world’s greatest experts. In this week’s interview, we talk with Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Blockchain. How does a successful transition to a digital government look like? Why haven't countries around the world adapted to the Third Industrial Revolution yet? What are some of the new technologies that will both challenge governments and give them tools to become more efficient and safe? Tune in and find out!
6/1/2018 • 20 minutes, 9 seconds
Cybersecurity
"A Glimpse into the Future” gives you access to insights from some of the world’s leading experts, who explore how breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas can help us actively shape our future. In this week’s interview, we talk to Alan Cohn, Adjunct Professor of Georgetown University Law Center and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Cybersecurity. What is the real danger of cyber threats? How can individuals, businesses and governments prepare themselves appropriately in our increasingly digitalized world? Which new technologies show promise in helping us protect ourselves against cyber threats? Tune in and find out!
6/1/2018 • 13 minutes, 21 seconds
Autonomous Systems
How close are we in having completely autonomous systems? How will autonomous vehicles and drones integrate in our lives? Will we accept "killer robots" to be developed? In this week’s interview, we talk to Mary "Missy" Cummings, Director of the Humans and Autonomy Lab at Duke University. Missy is also co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. "A Glimpse into the Future” gives you access to insights from some of the world’s leading experts, who explore how breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas can help us actively shape our future.
6/1/2018 • 18 minutes, 21 seconds
Brain Sciences
How much do we understand about how our brain works? Which technologies leverage this new understanding? What will be their impact on our day-to-day lives? How can we ensure that the benefits of brain technologies don’t create an even bigger divide between the rich and the poor? In this week's episode, we talk to Dr Murali Doraiswamy, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Duke Institue for Brain Sciences (DIBS). Dr Doraiswamy is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum's Council on the Future of Neurotechnologies and Brain Science.
6/1/2018 • 16 minutes, 17 seconds
The Blockchain
What is the technology behind the Bitcoin and how does it work? What applications will it have in our day to day lives? What sectors and industries will it disrupt? Are we prepared for the Blockchain Revolution? In this weeks episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Jamie Smith, Global Chief Communications Officer of BitFury Group, former White House Communicator and co-chair of the World Economic Forum's Council on the Future of Blockchain.
6/1/2018 • 18 minutes, 37 seconds
Personalized and Precision Medicine
What are the biggest challenges in healthcare currently? How does a human-centric health system look like? How will digital technologies, big data and precision medicine change the way we are diagnosed and treated in the future? In this weeks episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to the internationally renowned clinician and researcher, Dr Andre Goy, Chairman and Executive Director of the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr Goy is also the co-chair of the World Economic Forum's Council on the Future of Health and Healthcare.
6/1/2018 • 21 minutes, 37 seconds
Robots, Society and Employment
How far are we in developing intelligent robots that can live and operate safely among us? Will robots in the future take our jobs, or help us do our jobs better? How do we design robots that can follow our ethical and moral codes? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Illah Nourbakhsh, Professor of Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University and member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
5/31/2018 • 17 minutes, 35 seconds
Neurotechnology
How does direct brain-computer interaction work? Will we control computers and machines with our thoughts soon? How will the advances in the field of neurotechnologies impact our health and educational systems - but also society as a whole - in the near future? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Tan Le, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emotiv, a pioneer in brain wearable technology. Tan Le is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Neurotechnologies and Brain Science.
5/31/2018 • 18 minutes, 17 seconds
Quantum Computing, Energy and Health
What is quantum computing and how does it work? How will it affect the digital world in the near future? What type of problems will it help us solve? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Professor Jeremy O' Brien, Director of the Centre for Quantum Photonics in the University of Bristol. Professor O'Brien is also a co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Computing.
5/31/2018 • 17 minutes, 42 seconds
Widespread Artificial Intelligence
What is Artificial General Intelligence and what will it mean if we ever get to develop it? What are the biggest risks of widespread Artificial Intelligence for our society? Can we shape the way it is introduced in our everyday life? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Russell is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
5/31/2018 • 24 minutes, 12 seconds
Environment and Natural Resources
Which emerging technologies could help us in our efforts to preserve the environment? How can they maximize the efficiency of our use of natural resources? What are the risks that these new technologies could bring about for our environment, and what can we do to contain them? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Jim Leape, Co-Director of the Center for Oceans Solutions at Stanford University; and Celine Herweijer, Partner at PwC. Both are also members of the World Economic Forum's Council on the Future of Environment and Natural Resource Security.
5/31/2018 • 32 minutes, 30 seconds
Specialized Robots Development and Integration
Where should we expect specialized robots that can interact safely with their environment to be in the near future? What is the entrepreneurial system around these today, and how will the emerging investment trends shape their development? Which sectors would be most impacted by the integration of these robots and how prepared are our regulatory frameworks for them? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Alex Wyatt, Founder and CEO of August Robotics, a company aiming to bring people-friendly robotics solutions into day-to-day life. Alex is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
5/31/2018 • 19 minutes, 34 seconds
Technology, Values and Policy
What are the ethical dilemmas that new technologies will pose to our societies? What values should be driving technology development and application? How can we create policies that ensure our most critical values are safeguarded by unintentional effects of new technology? In this week’s episode of "A Glimpse into the Future", we talk to Wendell Wallach, Scholar at the Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics at Yale University and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Technology, Values and Policy
5/31/2018 • 18 minutes, 46 seconds
Migration
What are the current challenges facing the phenomenon of global migration? How has the debate around migration changed in the last ten years and how will it continue to develop over the next ten years? What can and must governments do to strive toward optimistic scenarios surrounding migration? What are the new technologies impacting immigrants and refugees? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Khalid Koser, Executive Director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund; Ratna Omidvar, Senator of Canada; and Yasmina Filali, Founder and President of the Fondation Orient Occident. All three are also members of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Migration.
5/31/2018 • 24 minutes, 22 seconds
Neuroeconomics and New Neurotechnologies
What will some of the biggest developments be in neuroscience in the next 10-15 years? Will we still have total control over our own decisions or will we lose this control? What are some of the most important or inspiring developments at the intersection of neuroscience and engineering? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Michael Platt, Professor of Neuroscience at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Nitish Thakor, Director of the Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology, National University of Singapore; and Neal Kassell, Chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation. All three are also members of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Neurotechnologies and Brain Science.
5/31/2018 • 33 minutes, 45 seconds
Humanitarian System
What is the current state of play and the strategic lines of thinking in the humanitarian system? What are the technologies that will play a role in the humanitarian system in the next 10-15 years – what is an optimistic scenario for their use and what might be some of the unintended consequences? Is there an incentive for the private sector to get involved and are there any ethical considerations to beware of? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of the Humanitarian System.
5/31/2018 • 24 minutes, 5 seconds
Digital economy
What are key trends in the global innovation and entrepreneurship landscape that we should be excited about? What trends/challenges should we be concerned about? How can we proactively manage the risk of widening inequalities due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of NESTA, and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
5/31/2018 • 29 minutes, 35 seconds
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
What are key trends in the global innovation and entrepreneurship landscape that we should be excited about? What trends/challenges should we be concerned about? How can we proactively manage the risk of widening inequalities due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of NESTA, and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
5/31/2018 • 14 minutes, 36 seconds
Global Digital Evolution
Where do we stand globally in terms of digital integration and where can we expect to be in the next 5-10 years? What will be the biggest impact of the digitalization of our economy? What are the biggest opportunities that the digital transformation will bring, and what are the risks to tackle? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Bhaskar Chakravorti, Senior Associate Dean at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University, and member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
5/31/2018 • 23 minutes, 25 seconds
Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Supply Chains
What does digital transformation in manufacturing supply chains look like? How will digital disruption affect the manufacturing ecosystem? What are the major concerns we need to look out for as this digital transformation takes place, for example, in governance, cybersecurity, and skills development? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Jag Srai, Head, Centre for International Manufacturing, Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, and member of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Production.
5/31/2018 • 11 minutes, 33 seconds
Sustainable Development
How optimistic can we be about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals? What positive or negative trends are we seeing that serve as deciders in achieving the SDGs? What are some of the new fourth industrial revolution technologies that might give us an extra boost in achieving the SDGs? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Chair of the Development Assistance Committee at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Charlotte is also the Chair of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of International Governance, Public-Private Cooperation and Sustainable Development.
5/31/2018 • 13 minutes, 45 seconds
Behavioural Sciences
How are Behavioural Sciences applied in our economy and society currently? What opportunities will they open up in the next 10-15 years? Which sectors can profit most? What are the risks with these tools being used for the wrong reasons? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Iris Bohnet and Robert J. Shiller from the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Behavioural Sciences. Dr Bohnet is the director of the Women and Public Policy program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Professor Shiller is a Nobel Laureate and a Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University.
5/31/2018 • 18 minutes, 35 seconds
Human Rights
After the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, what are the main areas of progress we have seen? Which emerging technologies could be a game changer for human rights protection and enforcement in the future and how? Which ones are posing new challenges to human rights and how can we address those early on? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to the co-chairs of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Human Rights: Erica Kochi, co-founder of UNICEF Innovation, and Mike Posner, Jerome Kohlberg Professor of Ethics and Finance of the Stern School of Business at New York University and Director of their Center for Business and Human Rights.
5/31/2018 • 14 minutes, 16 seconds
Energy
How do we transition from fossil fuels—and can we do it smoothly? How can we ensure access to modern energy and electricity for all in the transition? What types of policies will it take to get there and how can they become reality? What do we not know or have a good sense of in this future of energy? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to the co-chairs of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Energy: Jeroen van der Veer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, ING Group, and Katherine Hamilton, Director of the Project for Clean Energy and Innovation.
5/31/2018 • 19 minutes, 43 seconds
Consumption
What are the major demographic trends shaping the future of consumption? What will the major groupings of consumer archetypes be in the future? What role will our evolving values play in this shift in consumer trends? How can we ensure that we have a responsible consumption and economic growth at the same time? How do you think the future of work will shape the consumers’ spending power? What are some of the most exciting technologies that might help shape the future of consumption in the next 10 to 15 years? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Elaine Coventry, Head of Commercial Leadership for The Coca-Cola Company in Western Europe, and Chair of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of Consumption.
5/28/2018 • 13 minutes, 23 seconds
Space
We don't think about space technologies that much, but why are they important and how do they touch our everyday lives? What are the main challenges and trends in the space realm? In terms of rules and regulations in regards to space, what do we need to think about? Who is the ecosystem of players that need to come together to regulate space? Are there any lessons to be learned from how we have dealt with other global commons that can be applied to space? Are we close to having people on Mars? In this week’s episode of “A Glimpse into the Future”, we talk to Ellen Stofan, Honorary Professor at the Hazard Research Centre at University College London and Chair of the World Economic Forum Council on the Future of Space Technologies.