The Vergecast Amy Webb is a quantitative futurist
Mar 31, 2020
Amy Webb, founder of The Future Today Institute and NYU professor, dives into how the pandemic reshapes tech trends. She unveils insights from her book 'The Big Nine' and the 2020 Tech Trend Report. Webb discusses the role of quantitative futurism and the importance of data in anticipating future scenarios. The conversation touches on the ethics of data ownership, the implications of surveillance, and the competitive landscape influenced by AI. Listeners get a unique perspective on preparing for a tech-driven future amidst uncertainty.
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Episode notes
Quantitative Futurism
- A quantitative futurist uses data to identify emerging signals and track their velocity.
- This helps develop plausible scenarios to reduce uncertainty, not predict the future.
Slippery Road Analogy
- Amy Webb likens current anxieties about the pandemic and economy to the feeling of driving on a slippery road and slamming on the brakes.
- This creates a false sense of control, setting us up for disappointment and bad decisions.
Analyzing Future Scenarios
- Instead of speculating, ask "what would it take for X to be Y?" to analyze potential future scenarios.
- Consider broader perspectives and supporting data, like the impact of remote work on cloud robotics and AI.
