Prepare for a ‘technology supercycle,’ with futurist Amy Webb
Dec 12, 2024
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In this discussion, Amy Webb, founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute, sheds light on the coming technology supercycle that will reshape industries. She emphasizes the crucial role of strategic foresight in business decision-making. Webb explores how converging technologies like AI and biotech will drive productivity and sustainability. She also highlights the intersection of technology and personal performance through sensor tech's impact on fitness. Lastly, she addresses the challenges of communicating complex ideas to leaders resistant to change.
Amy Webb highlights the need for businesses to embrace strategic foresight in technology to effectively navigate future uncertainties and disruptions.
She advocates for innovative governance frameworks over traditional regulation, encouraging collaboration to adapt solutions from various industries for ethical technological growth.
Deep dives
The Path to Becoming a Futurist
Amy Webb's journey to becoming a futurist began with her early fascination with technology during her time in Japan, where she recognized the potential of advanced mobile devices. Initially aspiring to be the Solicitor General, she shifted focus due to a panic attack experienced during the LSAT, leading her to explore alternative avenues to shape the future. Webb's academic background in game theory and economics, combined with her reporting experiences, led her to establish the Future Today Institute, an organization dedicated to strategic foresight. Her unique perspective allows her to guide businesses in making informed long-term decisions that consider technological advancements.
Convergence of Technologies
Webb emphasizes the significance of three general-purpose technologies: artificial intelligence, advanced sensor technology, and biotechnology. These technologies, while impactful on their own, create a flywheel effect when their advancements converge, influencing various sectors and economic outcomes. For example, innovations in AI can enhance the capabilities of sensors, leading to more precise data collection and behavioral predictions. This interconnectedness demonstrates that understanding these convergences is crucial for industries to anticipate disruptions and opportunities effectively.
Strategic Foresight in Business
To navigate the complexities of the future, organizations must develop capabilities in strategic foresight, which involves tracking signals and trends while preparing for uncertainties. Webb stresses the importance of differentiating between trends and what is merely trendy, advising companies to open themselves up to uncertainty to map out potential scenarios. The goal is not just to survive but to thrive by anticipating changes rather than reacting to them after the fact. Moreover, making decisions based on data-backed insights rather than intuition can significantly enhance organizational confidence and direction.
The Role of Regulation and Innovation
Webb presents a nuanced view on regulation, arguing that traditional regulatory approaches may not effectively address the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. Instead of relying heavily on regulation, she advocates for frameworks that encourage innovation and collaboration, allowing companies to make better choices without stifling progress. Webb suggests looking outside conventional industries for inspiration, as many solutions already exist that can be adapted to new contexts. This perspective encourages a proactive approach that prioritizes alternative governance methods to facilitate technological growth while ensuring ethical practices.
As the founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute, Amy Webb helps global companies and governments see what comes next. She’s an expert in strategic forecasting, NYU business school professor, and popular author and speaker on tech and trends. She sat down with host Jeff Berman to share her insights on how every business can better prepare for the future.
Check out Amy Webb's latest tech trends report to go deeper on the topics discussed in this episode.