? Future Normal: Fast Forward #95

A giant global robot brain; affordable cow-free dairy; AI-created psychedelics and more.

This week, I’m bringing you an eclectic collection of innovations and news stories to help provoke new perspectives on where we are headed.?

The future feels wild today. Yet it’s hard to believe that these will soon be anything but profoundly normal. Of course we’ll welcome a global brain that makes robots safer and better, faster. Sustainable new materials – sign us up! Your kids will look back incredulously that we used to manually charge our devices? Every single day?! How quaint!???

As always, your challenge is to take these and ask – what expectations will these new developments create? Is our organisation ready for them? And, most importantly – what opportunities could they unlock for us???

How will we rid our world of plastic? I spent much of 2022 helping launch PlasticFree.com, and the platform continues to inspire. Its 6 thought-provoking trends for 2024 include Living Matter (living, breathing materials), Pulp Fiction (wearable paper?!), Degenerative Design (products designed with a beneficial end-of-life in mind) and more.?

Which would you choose if animal-free products cost the same as animal-based ones? Any plant-based plant-based alternative that costs more will never scale, no matter how much eco- and ethical guilt it relieves – which is why Imagindairy’s announcement that its new 100,000-litre fermentation facility will enable it to reach price parity with conventional dairy is such a breakthrough.

What if every new robot could learn from a single, giant, global database of training data? This might trigger some dystopian fears for some (many?!), but 34 robot labs have signed up to RT-X, a global database sharing data from a million trials across 22 types of robots. One (million) more reasons why I’m expecting to write a lot more about robots in 2024…??

How will you bridge the gap between AI expectations and AI reality? My feed is filled with stories of how AI will save us and yet also how terrible it is. AI can now solve geometry problems at the level of the best humans; DPD’s customer service chatbot swears and calls company 'worst delivery firm'. Closing the gap between these seemingly contradictory yet simultaneous truths is the biggest opportunity of the next few years.

What if power wasn’t a limiting factor? What problems could always-on devices solve for people? Blink Energy’s wearable patch sits on a user's eyelid and can wirelessly send power to a contact lens, enabling smart ocular devices that are less risky, last longer and cost less. I’m fascinated by the potential for a future normal where devices never need charging – from headphones and smartphones, to even drones and cars.??

When will we fully embrace the indivisibility between ‘our’ work and that of AI tools? Japan’s literary laureate caused a splash when she admitted that ChatGPT had written 5% of her award-winning novel. The Future Normal explores 30+ big ideas that while novel today, will become commonplace tomorrow; these controversies will soon become nonsensical as it becomes almost unthinkable not to use AI tools in the creative process (indeed outputs that are ‘100% human’ will soon become more newsworthy).??

What if AI could help discover new psychedelic drugs? We explored the potential of Psychedelic Wellness in The Future Normal. Now, researchers are examining whether Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold program could help find new psychedelics with similar antidepressant benefits, but without the hallucinations that make administering these drugs difficult (and expensive).?

Side note: I’m also delighted to share that I’m busy working with Natalia Talkowska on the next iteration of VisuAIse Futures: Healthcare, highlighting 5 people-first AI strategies that will transform the patient and clinician experience. Sign up to get the full report when it launches next month.

Or if you’re working in healthcare and would like a sneak preview of what we’re working on, then DM me – we love feedback ??

What’s the future normal for YOUR organisation in 2024?

I have delivered 150+ actionable keynotes and workshops for clients in 30+ countries, with consistently exceptional feedback and repeat bookings.

As well as public conferences, I bring leadership teams at the world’s biggest companies – such as J&J, Calvin Klein, HP, Mastercard, and the Tata Group – fresh and relevant perspectives on what’s next.

But don’t take my word for it, here’s what clients say:

“My go-to speaker for future-gazing grounded in reality is always Henry … free from the BS and hype that's often prevalent in this space!” Founder, MAD/Fest

“Thank you for bringing out-of-the-ordinary ideas to this team of smart, motivated people.” VP, Executive Leadership Development, HP

”Constantly provoking, Henry helps us push the boundaries of our innovation thinking” SVP Digital Services, Mastercard

To discuss your next meeting or event then please DM me or check out my speaking site.??

Thanks for reading,

Henry