Author: Frank Diana

Speaking To Those Who Have Passed

Frank Diana Digital Twins , , , , ,

In early 2020 I wrote a Post about reuniting with a lost loved one. Since that time, the capacity to do so has expanded.

Rememory, the act of talking to the dead, is an idea as old as man himself. For pagans, it was a means of venerating ancestors who had passed. In Christianity, it remains the belief in afterlife through purgatory, heaven, or hell. What used to be science fiction for some and customary beliefs for others has now become a reality, by using the artificial intelligence technology created by DeepBrain AI.

Nana Coupeau – Rememory, The AI that Helps Us Talk to the Dead
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Technology Trends To Watch In 2023

Frank Diana Trends and Predictions , , , ,

The infographic below draws from a recent CB Insights report on eleven Tech Trends To Watch Closely in 2023. As described in the visual, CB Insights used a technology intelligence platform to analyze signals like investment activity, executive chatter in earnings transcripts, media mentions, patents, and more to identify these top eleven trends. A very interesting list with additional detail provided in the report. The invasion of super Apps is an interesting one, as WeChat has long delivered that in the east, but the west has lagged behind. It will be interesting to see if the various obstacles that have prevented its emergence in the west can be overcome. Immortality as a service is not new, but with recent advances and the growing focus of billionaires, it’s easy to see why it made the list.

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Your Future In The New Reality Of The Next Thirty Years

Frank Diana Books , , , , ,

You will have the opportunity and the duty to create a decidedly better world. You will need to develop the wisdom to use this expansive power in advance of receiving it. Your success will decide if the future is a new age of enlightenment or darkness. Experience and maturity alone cannot provide the required wisdom fast enough. You will need to maximize your innate potential to accelerate wisdom.

Ben Lytle – The Potentialist I: Your Future in the New Reality of the Next Thirty Years

That quote is from a book I finished reading. Author Ben Lytle envisions the world of the next thirty years through the lens of human potential and opportunity, versus anxiety and fear. One of the most frequently asked questions I receive involves the human role in an increasingly automated future. The book describes what that world may look like in thirty years. With that vision in place, Mr. Lytle explores our human potential with an eye towards, skills, mindset, health, wealth, and success. The book accomplishes two very important things: it frames the forces that shape a very different future, and it describes a roadmap for us to thrive in that future. A very good read that I have added to my library.

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Digital Twins Are Set For Rapid Adoption In 2023

Frank Diana Digital Twins, innovation accelerators ,

Interest in Digital Twins is ramping, as evidenced by the number of media outlets showing interest in the topic. I have added a number of recent articles to my media library. A very good CNBC article was launched a couple of days ago. It provides a broad view of digital twins and the growing possibility space.

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What Experts See Coming In 2023

Frank Diana Trends and Predictions , , , , , , ,

A recent article provides an overview of how experts think the markets will move, how trends will develop, and which risks and opportunities to watch over the coming 12 months. As usual, Visual Capitalist provides an easy to digest view of 2023 predictions based on analyzing over 500 sources. The article provides details for several of the major squares on the visual – and I recommend the quick read. Thanks to Joanna Lepore for bringing it to my attention. An example of one key take away:

Many of the expert opinions in this year’s database are pointing to inflation easing off as the year progresses. On the downside, few predict that inflation will drop back down to the 2% range that Fed policymakers favor.

Nick Routley – Prediction Consensus: What the Experts See Coming in 2023
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Is There A Future That Does Not Include Us?

Frank Diana Books , , , , , , , , ,

I finished reading another book titled the Revolt Against Humanity. It explores two strands of thinking – each of which alters the human species. Anthropocene antihumanism considers the end of our species due to climate destruction, while Transhumanism believes that we will birth a new species that is superior to humans. In either scenario, it represents the end of life as we know it. A short read that shines a light on a revolt against humanity that the author claims has already spread beyond the fringes. The Amazon abstract is included below. I have added it to my library.

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Global Foresight 2033

Frank Diana Foresight, Our Emerging Future , , , , , , ,

Alexandra Whittington is a fellow Futurist that recently participated in the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security survey of the future. The survey asked leading global strategists and foresight practitioners around the world to answer burning questions about the biggest drivers of change over the next ten years. Over 160 experts participated in a survey that covered the following:

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Big Things In Store For Digital Twins In 2023

Frank Diana Digital Twins, innovation accelerators , , ,

I had the pleasure of talking to Paul Barker in an interview with IT World Canada. The resulting article just launched. We discussed the possibilities for digital twins in 2023. I really enjoyed our discussion, which he captured via a series of quotes in the article. In the context of foresight – a question that comes up a lot these days – he asked me what it is like to be a futurist:

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NYC Marathon Interview

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, My Media Activity , , , , , , ,

I had the pleasure of discussing the future of running during the NYC Marathon broadcast. I viewed the question of where that future is heading across three broad categories. First, the running experience – both for the athlete and the spectator. Second, performance, injury avoidance and recovery. Third, the synergies with health and wellness. Scientific and technological advances that help us improve the second category above – like a digital twin of our heart that helps us better understand the impact of running on that organ – will ultimately drive advances in the broader topic of health and wellness. My thanks to New York Road Runners for both the interview opportunity and the permission to post the video below.

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Disorder: Hard Times In The 21st Century

Frank Diana Books , , , , , , , ,

As geopolitical instability contributes to the uncertainty of the environment, it is critical to understand how we got here. Instability does not just emerge; it evolves over time. Our current climate finds its origins in the 1970s, with 2005 representing a critical tipping point. It still amazes me to think about the prescience of a book titled the Fourth Turning – where 2005 was identified as the beginning of a crisis period. A more recent book explored the question of how we got here. Author Helen Thompson tells a story viewed through the lens of energy, democracy, and aristocracy. The historical journey presented by Disorder underscores the complexity of geopolitical convergence.

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The Future-Facing CFO

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, Our Emerging Future , ,

I recently participated in a CFO and Board retreat hosted by the Criticaleye peer-to-peer Board Community. I opened the session with a keynote and a Q&A session. Dialog from the session was captured in an article that was recently launched. The key points include:

  • One of the critical skillsets of a future-facing CFO is an ability to unlearn
  • Foresight means nothing if it can’t inform strategies
  • The job of leaders is to envision possible futures
  • It’s never been more important to take the future seriously in terms of the speed at which its coming towards us

It is encouraging the see the emphasis placed on understanding possible futures. That appreciation was ramping pre-pandemic and has accelerated since.

The Next Decade In Technology

Frank Diana Future Scenarios , , , ,

I was recently made aware of a report via OMG Futures on the next decade in technology. Recommended reading for anyone looking to scan the horizon. Thanks to Phil Rowley for making me aware of it. Phil described it this way:

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The Impact Of Virtual Worlds On Travel

Frank Diana Blurred Reality, Future Scenarios, innovation accelerators, Virtual Reality , , , ,

The tourism sector stands to benefit tremendously from the use of Metaverse technology. The greater availability of new and better sources of inspiration for travelers is one of the perks that stands out the most

Jai Hamid – Survey shows Metaverse will have an impact on how people travel
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The Most Innovative Countries

Frank Diana Innovation , , , , ,

In 1960, the U.S. made up nearly 70% of global R&D spending, and by 2020 this had fallen to 30%. From job creation and public health to national security and industrial competitiveness, R&D plays a vital role in a country’s economic growth and innovation, impacting nearly every corner of society—either directly or indirectly.

Dorothy Neufeld – Mapped: The Most Innovative Countries in the World in 2022
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Virtual Society

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, Metaverse, Virtual Society , , , , ,

Throughout history, the world has experienced tipping points – or a fundamental change in the nature of being human. How many have occurred throughout human history is subject to debate. From my perspective, we have experienced two and could be heading towards a third. Several forces are converging to create the possibility of a third tipping point. When we consider the advances of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, human-machine convergence, advances in brain science, and new computing paradigms – it’s not a stretch. Add to that list the evolution of virtual societies.

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Will ChatGPT Change The World?

Frank Diana Artificial Intelligence, Future Scenarios , , , ,

Updated 12-14-2022: Given all the buzz associated with ChatGPT and the overwhelming traffic to their website, I have updated this post with several more articles on the topic.

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Strategic Foresight

Frank Diana Foresight, Our Emerging Future , , , ,

I believe an appreciation for a future that is arriving faster than most people think is settling in. One clear signal is the growing discussion around foresight. As a very different future emerges, this growing focus is good news – as there is a critical need to envision possible futures. Foresight executives like Joanna Lepore are leading the way. Joanna joined an episode of Future Hacker to discuss strategic foresight. I highly recommend this episode. Here is the episode abstract.

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Rehearsing 2023

Frank Diana Digital Twins, innovation accelerators, Trends and Predictions , ,

As a new year approaches, it is natural to want to predict what’s next. But, a caveat: I prefer not to speak in terms of “predictions.” I speak about “rehearsing possibilities” – understanding possible futures and envisioning outcomes.

Frank Diana – Digital Twins Reach a Tipping Point & Save Lives

That quote above was included in a recent article about digital twins. That article focused on the role that digital twins are likely to play in 2023.

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The Cashless Revolution

Frank Diana Books , , , , , , , , , ,

I just finished a book titled The Cashless Revolution authored by Martin Chorzempa. The book was selected by the Financial Times as one of the best of 2022. Interestingly, one of the other recent books I read is also on their list – Slouching Towards Utopia. This latest read explored the world of FinTech and the cashless revolution happening in China – and the possible futures that may drive.

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Self-Driving Truck Handles Tire Blowout

Frank Diana Autonomous Vehicles, Future Scenarios , , , , ,

Can a self-driving truck handle a tire blowout better than most humans? Watch below and see this article for details.