Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is ranked as the world's best futurists and is known globally for his trademark “Optimistic Dystopian” viewpoint. Recognized by Salesforce as a top voice shaping the future of AI, he’s a sought-after speaker on the relationship between innovation and humanity. He delivered the world’s first TEDx Talk in VR (2020) and introduced a digital twin that speaks 29 languages (2024). Mark holds a PhD in Management from the University of Technology Sydney, where he studied how organizations can use big data, blockchain, and AI. He’s also a six-time author and dedicated endurance athlete.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Why Dr. Mark van Rijmenam believes we need a paradigm shift to prepare society for the long-term consequences of AI and quantum computing
The critical difference between building technology for shareholders versus stakeholders and how that shapes our future
What the “spiral dynamics” framework reveals about humanity’s current worldview and its path toward a more interconnected mindset
How banning technology for kids under 16 could protect future generations and reshape digital education
The risks of anthropomorphizing AI and the need to preserve human agency in a world increasingly shaped by machines
What inspired Dr. Mark’s sixth book Now What? and how he uses fiction, philosophy, and global cultures to help readers ride the tsunami of change

Resources:

Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work Newsletter
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
AI fun fact article
On Extending Life With AI
Explore more from Dr. Mark van Rijmenam:

644. Alianzas entre diseñadores (España). Una charla con Myriam Cea