WGS 2023: Dubai Future Foundation unveils 50 new future opportunities

The 50 most promising opportunities for governments, societies and individuals in the future were unveiled today with the publishing of a new report at the World Government Summit 2023.

The Future Opportunities Report: The Global 50, launched by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), highlights opportunities across various sectors, as well as 10 global megatrends. Among the opportunities are solutions to overcoming some of the world’s greatest challenges, such as tools and technologies that support scientific advancement, economic growth, government work and social development.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Chairman of the World Government Summit, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, said; "The UAE believes in the ability of societies to design the future and harness its opportunities. We are working under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build the future we aspire to by continuing to prepare for challenges and opportunities as well as understanding the major trends that will shape our future”

“The world is witnessing a continuous race against changes that are measured in hours and days, and we have to deal with rapid developments as countries, cities and societies. The primary task of governments today is to anticipate the occurrence of major transformations, to anticipate the opportunities they bring, and to reduce the risks associated with them. In order to live the future that we want to see, we must be prepared to tackle its challenges and start shaping it today,” he continued.

Gergawi added: "This report highlights 50 promising opportunities that provide an accessible framework to encourage thoughtful reflection about the future: a navigation tool in an era of quantum shifts. We hope that such efforts will enhance the ability of societies to identify future scenarios and continue to explore new opportunities. These include changes in education systems, increased reliance on robotics, innovative agriculture, the provision of unlimited energy, new materials and energy storage in space.”

Al Gergawi concluded: "History has proven that human creativity makes us capable of addressing challenges and creating better futures. We occasionally need to re-evaluate what we have achieved and adjust our course when we identify a better potential future by learning from the past and seizing new opportunities.”

The report is part of DFF’s work to enable decision-makers, entrepreneurs, experts and legislators to stay abreast of global trends to help them keep pace. The Global 50 report was created alongside 30 international experts and several of DFF's partners from the government entities, private and academic sectors. The report offers inspirations and insights across 5 categories, including:

Health reimagined

The Health Reimagined section of the report explores using gene therapies and advanced nutritional approaches to boost health. It also delves into topics such as the possibility of regenerating critical tissues throughout life and bioengineering in developing treatments for diseases, providing prevention and treatment for diseases. It also explores materials to reduce stress and improve sleep, advancements in neuroscience to erase past trauma, and the establishment of digitally disconnected zones where people can recharge, protected by powerful shields to block electromagnetic radiation and interference.

Enhanced collaboration

The report addresses many future opportunities in the field of human and technological collaboration, such as the ability of artificial intelligence to innovate and generate new business ideas. It also explores how human creativity can challenge machines and counterbalance embedded artificial intelligence, the future of a collaborative economy, advances in brain mapping techniques, and the importance of generational diversity on boards. This section also explores developing space legislation.

Nature restored

Nature and sustainability are key themes. The report examines phasing out excessive land use to restore biodiversity, adapting wheels and tires to reduce pollution, and the possibility of developing a responsive centennial plan for the planet. Nature Restored also explores global efforts to advance nanotechnologies to build a self-repairing atmosphere, preserving ice coverage on the planet, strengthening global cooperation to achieve climate neutrality, purifying air from particulate matter, and reducing agriculture's water use.

Societies empowered

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