Predicting the future is difficult. But there are individuals who are named futurists who claim to be able to determine trends, predictions and themes of the future. What is most exciting to us at Quantum Zeitgeist are the technology predictions, especially Quantum Computing and Quantum related predictions. For some background we have also included other themes such as AI (Artifical Intellgence) and more general technology, abundance, economy and future of work.
What is a futurist?
A futurist is a person who studies and explores possible, probable, and preferable future scenarios. They analyze current trends, technologies, and social and economic factors to make predictions and anticipate potential outcomes. Futurists often use a variety of methods and tools, such as scenario planning, foresight, and systems thinking, to help organizations and individuals make better decisions and prepare for the future. Their work spans across various fields, including technology, economics, politics, and societal issues. It is important to note that futurists do not claim to predict the future accurately; instead, they aim to help people understand the implications of current trends and make informed decisions based on potential future scenarios.
The Futurist List
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
- Futurist Manifesto (1909)
Marinetti coined the term “Futurism” and aimed to discard the art of the past, celebrating change, originality, and innovation in culture and society. His manifesto glorified the new technology of the automobile and the beauty of its speed, power, and movement.
Vernor Vinge
- The Coming Technological Singularity (1993)
Vinge, a computer scientist and science fiction author, developed the idea of the technological singularity. He argued that the singularity would result from the rapid acceleration of technological progress, eventually leading to artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence.
Alvin Toffler
- Future Shock (1970)
Toffler’s 1970 book “Future Shock” popularized the idea that the increasingly fast pace of technological progress, especially the rise of computers, can be a disruptive force in society. Many people would struggle to keep up with changes they find bewildering and disorienting.
Richard Slaughter
- Six Pillars of Futures Thinking
Slaughter developed the Six Pillars of Futures Thinking, a theory linked to methods and tools for future studies. The pillars are mapping, anticipation, timing, deepening, creating alternatives, and transforming. The futures triangle maps today’s views of the future through three dimensions.
Jane McGonigal
- Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World (2011)
McGonigal is a recognized futurist and game designer. In her book “Reality is Broken,” she discusses how games can solve real-world problems and foster collaboration and innovation. McGonigal has been named one of the Top 100 Creative People in Business and one of the Top 10 Innovators to Watch.
Amy Webb
- The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity (2019)
Webb is a quantitative futurist, professor of strategic foresight, and founder of the Future Today Institute. Her book “The Big Nine” explores the influence of tech giants on artificial intelligence and its potential consequences for humanity. Forbes has named her one of the “Women Changing the World”.
Ray Kurzweil
- The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology (2005)
Kurzweil is an inventor, computer scientist, and futurist who has written extensively on artificial intelligence, human longevity, and technological singularity. In his book “The Singularity is Near,” Kurzweil predicts a future where humans will merge with technology, transforming biology and fundamentally changing the human experience.
Peter Diamandis
- Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think (2012)
Diamandis is an entrepreneur, futurist, and co-founder of Singularity University. In his book “Abundance,” co-authored with Steven Kotler, Diamandis discusses how exponential technologies and innovative thinking can lead to a world of abundance, where resources are available to all and global challenges are addressed.
Michio Kaku
- The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind (2014)
Kaku is a theoretical physicist, futurist, and popular science communicator. In his book “The Future of the Mind,” Kaku explores the frontiers of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the potential for advanced technologies to enhance and expand human cognitive abilities.
Heidi Toffler
- The Third Wave (1980)
Heidi Toffler and her husband Alvin Toffler co-authored “The Third Wave,” a book that examines the transition from the industrial age to the information age. The book discusses how this transition will impact society, politics, and economics and how individuals and organizations can adapt to these changes.
Gerd Leonhard
- Technology vs Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine (2016)
Leonhard is a futurist, keynote speaker, and author who focuses on the intersection of technology, humanity, and ethics. In his book “Technology vs Humanity,” Leonhard examines the potential consequences of unchecked technological development and argues for a balance between innovation and human values.
Jamais Cascio
- Hacking the Earth: Understanding the Consequences of Geoengineering (2009)
Cascio is a futurist, writer, and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. In his book “Hacking the Earth,” Cascio explores the potential risks and benefits of geoengineering, a set of large-scale interventions in Earth’s natural systems to mitigate climate change.
Cindy Frewen
- Design Futures Council Senior Fellow
Frewen is an architect, urban planner, and futurist. As a Senior Fellow at the Design Futures Council, she focuses on the future of cities, exploring how urban environments will change and evolve in response to new technologies, environmental challenges, and shifting societal values.
Nilofer Merchant
- The Power of Onlyness: Make Your Wild Ideas Mighty Enough to Dent the World (2017)
Merchant is a futurist, business strategist, and author. In her book “The Power of Onlyness,” she discusses how individuals can harness their unique ideas and perspectives to create meaningful change and contribute to the future of work, innovation, and society.
Amy Webb
- The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity (2019)
Webb is a quantitative futurist, professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and founder of the Future Today Institute. In her book “The Big Nine,” Webb discusses the influence of nine major technology companies and their AI systems on the future of humanity, examining the potential consequences and risks for society.
James Canton
- The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World for the Next 5, 10, and 20 Years (2006)
Canton is a futurist, business advisor, and founder of the Institute for Global Futures. In “The Extreme Future,” Canton identifies key trends that will reshape various aspects of society, including the economy, technology, healthcare, and the environment, and offers strategies for individuals and organizations to adapt to these changes.
David Brin
- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Privacy and Freedom? (1998)
Brin is a science fiction author, futurist, and scientist. In his non-fiction book “The Transparent Society,” he explores the tension between privacy and freedom in an increasingly connected and technologically advanced world. Brin suggests that embracing transparency might be the key to maintaining a balance between privacy and security.
Jane McGonigal
- Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World (2011)
McGonigal is a game designer, futurist, and author. In “Reality is Broken,” she argues that games can provide solutions to real-world problems and improve human happiness and well-being. By applying game design principles to various aspects of life, McGonigal believes that we can create more engaging, meaningful experiences and positively impact society [8].
Yuval Noah Harari
- Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2015)
Harari is a historian, philosopher, and futurist. In his book “Homo Deus,” he explores the future of humanity in a world where artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other advanced technologies will have profound impacts on society, politics, and the nature of human existence.
Thomas Frey
- Communicating with the Future: How Re-engineering Intentions Will Alter the Master Code of Our Future (2011)
Frey is a futurist, speaker, and Executive Director of the DaVinci Institute. In his book “Communicating with the Future,” Frey discusses how our intentions shape the future and presents a framework for re-engineering these intentions to create more desirable outcomes.
Ramez Naam
- The Infinite Resource: The Power of Ideas on a Finite Planet (2013)
Naam is a computer scientist, futurist, and author. In “The Infinite Resource,” he explores the potential for human ingenuity and innovation to solve pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and inequality, arguing that the power of ideas can help us overcome the limitations of a finite planet.
Sohail Inayatullah
- Questioning the Future: Methods and Tools for Organizational and Societal Transformation (2005)
Inayatullah is a political scientist, futurist, and professor at Tamkang University. In his book “Questioning the Future,” he presents various methods and tools for futures thinking and scenario planning, helping organizations and societies better anticipate and adapt to emerging trends and challenges.
Paul Saffo
- The Road from Trinity: Thoughts on the Future of Nuclear Weapons (1987)
Saffo is a technology forecaster and professor at Stanford University. In “The Road from Trinity,” he discusses the future of nuclear weapons, examining the potential implications of technological advancements and international politics on global security and arms control.
Michio Kaku
- The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind (2014)
Kaku is a theoretical physicist, futurist, and author. In “The Future of the Mind,” he explores the latest advancements in neuroscience and artificial intelligence, examining the potential for breakthroughs such as telepathy, telekinesis, and brain-computer interfaces, as well as the ethical and societal implications of these technologies.
Peter Schwartz
- The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World (1991)
Schwartz is a futurist, scenario planner, and co-founder of the Global Business Network. In “The Art of the Long View,” he presents a comprehensive guide to scenario planning, providing tools and techniques for organizations and individuals to anticipate future uncertainties better and make more informed decisions.
Heather E. McGowan
- The Adaptation Advantage: Let Go, Learn Fast, and Thrive in the Future of Work (2020)
McGowan is a future work strategist and author. In “The Adaptation Advantage,” she explores the rapidly changing nature of work and the need for individuals and organizations to embrace adaptability, continuous learning, and resilience in order to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
Gerd Leonhard
- Technology vs. Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine (2016)
Leonhard is a futurist, keynote speaker, and author. In his book “Technology vs. Humanity,” he discusses the potential conflicts between humans and machines in a world where artificial intelligence, automation, and other technological advancements challenge our traditional notions of work, ethics, and society.
Ray Hammond
- The World in 2030: How Science Will Affect Computers, Medicine, Jobs, Our Lifestyles and the Wealth of our Nations (2007)
Hammond is a futurist, author, and founder of the Future Studies Centre. In “The World in 2030,” he explores the potential impacts of scientific and technological advancements on various aspects of society, including computing, medicine, employment, lifestyles, and national wealth.
Maurice Conti
- The Augmented Age: A Time of Living Machines (2019)
Conti is a futurist, designer, and Chief Innovation Officer at Telefonica Alpha. In “The Augmented Age,” he examines the future of technology and its potential to augment human capabilities, exploring the implications of robotics, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies on our daily lives and work.
Jamais Cascio
- Hacking the Earth: Understanding the Consequences of Geoengineering (2009)
Cascio is a futurist, author, and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. In “Hacking the Earth,” he delves into the potential consequences of geoengineering as a response to climate change, discussing the risks and ethical considerations of large-scale interventions in the Earth’s natural systems.
Sohail Inayatullah
- Six Pillars: Futures Thinking for Transforming (2015)
Inayatullah is a futurist, professor, and author focusing on transformative futures studies. In “Six Pillars,” he introduces the six pillars of futures thinking: mapping, anticipation, timing, deepening, creating alternatives, and transforming. The book offers insights into various methods and tools for futures thinking, helping individuals and organizations better understand and shape the future.
Nancy K. Napier
- The Creative Discipline: Mastering the Art and Science of Innovation (2008)
Napier is a futurist, professor, and author who specializes in creativity and innovation management. In “The Creative Discipline,” she explores the art and science of innovation, offering practical advice and strategies for fostering creativity, cultivating innovative ideas, and implementing them in organizations.
Patrick Tucker
- The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move? (2014)
Tucker is a futurist, editor of The Futurist magazine, and author. In “The Naked Future,” he discusses the implications of big data, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence on privacy, surveillance, and personal autonomy, raising important questions about the future of society in a world where technology anticipates our every move.
Cecily Sommers
- Think Like a Futurist: Know What Changes, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next (2012)
Sommers is a futurist, speaker, and author who focuses on helping organizations and individuals embrace change and create strategic futures. In “Think Like a Futurist,” she offers a practical guide to “futures” thinking, sharing five core principles: forget about predictions, focus on signals, look back to see forward, uncover patterns, and create a community.
Richard Yonck
- Heart of the Machine: Our Future in a World of Artificial Emotional Intelligence (2017)
Yonck is a futurist, author, and founder of Intelligent Future Consulting. In “Heart of the Machine,” he explores the development of artificial emotional intelligence and its potential implications on human-machine interactions, ethical considerations, and the future of society.
Rohit Talwar
- The Future of Business: Critical Insights into a Rapidly Changing World from 60 Future Thinkers (2015)
Talwar is a futurist, CEO of Fast Future Publishing, and author. In “The Future of Business,” he brings together insights from 60 future thinkers to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of business in a rapidly changing world.
Ayesha Khanna
- Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2012)
Khanna is a futurist, CEO of ADDO AI, and author. In “Hybrid Reality,” she examines the evolving relationship between humans and technology, discussing the potential impacts of emerging technologies on society, culture, and the global economy.
Frank Spencer
- Designing Resilience: Preparing for the Unexpected (2010)
Spencer is a futurist, founder of Kedge, and author specialising in strategic foresight and design thinking. In “Designing Resilience,” he offers strategies for organizations and individuals to prepare for unexpected challenges and disruptions, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience in an uncertain world.
Quantum Predictions
Quantum computing, which leverages quantum mechanics principles to process information and solve complex problems, has seen rapid advancements since its conception by physicist Richard Feynman in the early 1980s. Utilizing quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in a superposition of states, researchers have developed quantum gates, circuits, and groundbreaking algorithms, such as Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms, demonstrating the potential for quantum computers to outperform classical counterparts. What do futurists say about the quantum space, quantum computing and quantum technology?
Michio Kaku
In his book “The Future of the Mind,” Michio Kaku discusses the potential of quantum computing in the context of simulating human consciousness:
“Quantum computers may one day offer a radically new way to simulate the human mind, since they can process an almost infinite amount of information simultaneously. Some physicists speculate that quantum computers, which exploit the strange properties of atoms, may even offer a way to surpass the Turing test and create a true artificial intelligence”.
David Deutsch
In his book “The Fabric of Reality,” David Deutsch discusses the power of quantum computing and its potential impact on artificial intelligence:
“Quantum computers can efficiently solve certain problems, such as factorization, which are intractable on classical computers. This opens up new possibilities for the development of artificial intelligence, since a quantum computer could potentially simulate any physical process”
These quotes provide insights from two well-known futurists on the potential of quantum computing in the context of artificial intelligence and simulating the human mind.
Seth Lloyd
In his book “Programming the Universe,” Seth Lloyd discusses the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize how we understand and interact with the universe:
“Quantum computing allows us to perform calculations and simulations that would be impossible using classical computers. This could lead to new insights into the fundamental nature of the universe and help us better understand complex phenomena such as the behavior of atoms and molecules, the formation of galaxies, and the origins of life”.
Max Tegmark
In his book “Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Max Tegmark explores the potential impact of quantum computing on the future of AI and human society:
“Quantum computing promises to enable new forms of artificial intelligence that can solve problems classical computers cannot. As we move towards a future where AI plays an increasingly important role in our lives, the development of quantum computers could lead to breakthroughs in fields like medicine, energy, and communication”.
These quotes offer additional perspectives from futurists on the potential applications and implications of quantum computing in various aspects of our lives and understanding of the universe.
Neil Gershenfeld
In his book “When Things Start to Think,” Neil Gershenfeld discusses the potential of quantum computing to transform the way we solve complex problems:
“Quantum computing promises a radical shift in our ability to solve problems that are currently intractable. By exploiting the principles of quantum mechanics, we may be able to tackle challenges in cryptography, optimization, and even artificial intelligence with new approaches and unprecedented efficiency”.
Frank Wilczek
Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek, in his book “A Beautiful Question: Finding Nature’s Deep Design,” discusses the potential impact of quantum computing on our understanding of the universe and the principles that govern it:
“Quantum computing, when realized, will offer new ways to explore nature’s deep design and unveil the hidden structures of the universe. It has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of complex physical systems and unlock secrets that have eluded us for centuries”.
Roger Penrose
In “The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe,” renowned mathematical physicist and philosopher Roger Penrose discusses the potential for quantum computing to help us better understand the nature of reality:
“Quantum computers, if successfully developed, could offer us a window into the deeper structure of the universe, providing insights into the fundamental nature of space, time, and reality itself. These machines might enable us to solve problems that are currently intractable, illuminating new pathways to scientific discovery and technological innovation”.
