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Future Now

Future Now

Future Now - Institute for the Future

Brought to you by the visionary minds at Institute for the Future, this captivating series delves deep into the ever-evolving landscapes of science, technology, and culture. In each episode, IFTF's distinguished researchers engage in riveting conversations with the world's most innovative scientists, engineers, trailblazers, and thought leaders, who are redefining the course of our collective future - here and now. In this season, "Future Now" shines a spotlight on the bold endeavors to revolutionize enterprise and business practices. Our gripping discussions explore the pursuit of more humane, inclusive, and equitable outcomes, providing you with an exclusive front-row seat to the breakthroughs that will define tomorrow.
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Top 10 Future Now Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Future Now episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Future Now for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Future Now episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

IFTF Emerging Media Lab director Toshi Hoo speaks with Jules Terpak, a Gen Z content creator known for her work unpacking technology and culture trends on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The conversation centers around the implications of recent breakthroughs in generative AI, particularly in how these advances may shape the future of work and creativity. Key Points: - Jules has been active on social media for over a decade, starting with YouTube at age 10. She's seen how platforms rise and fall, and how algorithms shape content. - Generative AI like DALL-E is opening new creative possibilities, but still has limitations around generating longer form video. - Social media algorithms already curate our feeds, and now generative AI will start generating personalized content at scale. - The NPC trend (https://theconversation.com/people-are-pretending-to-be-npcs-on-tiktok-and-its-not-just-weird-its-also-lucrative-210795) on TikTok shows people mimicking repetitive AI-like behavior for views and money. An interesting signal as AI advances. - Loneliness as a market opportunity - rise of virtual companion bots like Replika and emotional labor replacements. - Gen Z is questioning traditional work as they've grown up exposed to influencer careers. But sustainability is a challenge. Need to find your niche fans. - As AI advances, optimizing human-AI collaboration will be key. - Jules is cautiously optimistic about human-AI futures with proper governance and conscious use. Focus on human needs like security. Resources: Jules' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JulesTerpak Jules' Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak/ Growing Digital TikTok series: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak Replika virtual companion bot: https://replika.com
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Institute for the Future researchers Mark Frauenfelder and David Pescovitz talk with inventor and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient
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IFTF Executive Director Marina Gorbis and acclaimed science fiction author David Brin discuss the future implications of artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation centers on how to regulate and direct AI in positive directions for humanity's benefit. Topics include opportunities and risks inherent in AI. the need for regulated competition, ensuring equitable access to AI, funding "public good" AIs, and fostering agility and innovation in steering our AI future. Mentioned in this episode: * "True Names" and "Rainbow’s End" by Vernor Vinge - Cited as examples of science fiction that understands accountability online. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/v/vernor-vinge/ * "Give Every AI a Soul—or Else," by David Brin, Wired, 2023 - "To solve the 'crisis' in artificial intelligence, AI beings must say, 'I am me.'" https://www.wired.com/story/give-every-ai-a-soul-or-else/ * Ecologically oriented novels of Nancy Kress. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future * "Yuval Noah Harari argues that AI has hacked the operating system of human civilization," The Economist, 2023. https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2023/04/28/yuval-noah-harari-argues-that-ai-has-hacked-the-operating-system-of-human-civilisation * "The Ministry for the Future" by Kim Stanley Robinson - Influential novel from 2020 that covers similar territory as David Brin's "Earth" novel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ministry_for_the_Future * "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace" poem by Richard Brautigan - Mentioned as an optimistic piece of literature amid the bleak 1960s. https://allpoetry.com/All-Watched-Over-By-Machines-Of-Loving-Grace * Isaac Asimov's "Robot" series - Discussing the limitations of Asimov's three laws of robotics for embedding ethics in AI. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/RBS/the-robot-series * "The Blob" (1958 movie) - Cited as a historical parallel for the fear that AI will spread uncontrollably. https://archive.org/details/turner_video_247 * "Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny," by Robert Wright - Recommended book from 2000 on positive-sum games and regulated competition. * "Vivid Tomorrows: On Science Fiction and Hollywood" by David Brin - His nonfiction book from 2021 discussing the impacts of science fiction on the real world. * "Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI," by Reid Hoffman. https://medium.com/muthoni-wanyoike/book-review-impromptu-amplifying-our-humanity-through-ai-by-reid-hoffman-and-gpt-4-d3f121d08044 * "Polemical Judo," David Brin’s book from 2019 of “memes for our political knife-fight.” https://www.davidbrin.com/polemicaljudo.html
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IFTF Research Director Bradley Kreit discusses IFTF's research into the technologies and societal forces that will transform when, where, how, and why we communicate in a world of ambient media.
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In this episode, Alissa Quart discusses her latest book, "Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream." Quart and host Marina Gorbis take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of the "bootstrapping" myth, revealing the hypocrisies and hidden dependencies that underlie this pervasive narrative. From historical figures like Emerson and Thoreau to modern-day Silicon Valley icons, Quart exposes the cracks in the self-made success story. The conversation also delves into the precarious state of the middle class, the potential of mutualism as an alternative ethos, and the importance of fostering solidarity across diverse occupations in the face of increasing economic insecurity. Join us as we explore the liberating power of debunking toxic myths and envisioning a more interdependent American dream. IFTF: https://iftf.org/podcast Alissa Quart: https://www.alissaquart.com/ Bootstrapped: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/bootstrapped-alissa-quart
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Our guest is Professor Neil Kraus from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the author of "The Fantasy Economy: Neoliberalism, Inequality, and the Education Reform Movement" In this episode, Marina Gorbis and Neil discuss the long-standing economic myths, diminishing returns on educational investments, the surplus of degree holders in low-wage job markets, and the misleading narrative of labor shortages. The Fantasy Economy: https://tupress.temple.edu/books/the-fantasy-economy Institute for the Future: https://iftf.org
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Future Now - Recreational Genetics
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03/31/17 • 24 min

Institute for the Future researchers Mark Frauenfelder and David Pescovitz talk with Murray Robinson, founder of Molquant, about new tools designed to make sense of the big data within the human genome.
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In 2016 , the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released The Panama Papers — a massive cache of 11.5 million records leaked from the law firm Mossack Fonseca — revealing that several heads of state have been sheltering their personal wealth in offshore accounts to evade taxes. This wasn’t surprising, after all dictators are known for draining public coffers and hoarding the ill-gotten funds in secret accounts. What’s more disturbing is learning that well-known global corporations and civic leaders have been doing the same thing for decades, and getting away with it. Mossack Fonseca specializes in setting up untraceable shell companies. There’s nothing overtly illegal about them, but they’re often used by political and financial elites to hide assets, dodge taxes, and launder money. Creating shell companies is a big business, and Mossack Fonseca is just one of many firms that do it. The Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition says shell companies house up to $21 trillion globally. (By way of comparison, the US gross domestic product for 2015 was $18 trillion.) The firms employing the services of Mossack Fonseca include a rogues’ gallery of brand name corporations with a track record of breaking financial regulations with virtual impunity. Remember back in 2013 when HSBC was slapped with a $1.9 billion fine by the U.S. Justice Department for laundering drug cartel money? Its fine amounted to less than one tenth of its annual profits. And remember when UBS was caught in 2012 spreading false information to manipulate banking exchange rates? It was fined $1.5 billion, which sounds like a lot, until you learn that UBS’ revenues are almost $40 billion a year. Both banks are clients of Mossack Fonseca. The reason banks and financial institutions are ignoring regulations comes down to simple economics. The organized criminal economy is over $2 trillion a year, and someone has to launder it, says journalist Drew Sullivan, co-founder and editor of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and a 2014 Institute for the Future (IFTF) Fellow. “You can either be a bank that takes that money or a bank that doesn’t take that money. Because nobody is penalizing you seriously for this, and nobody holds it against you, you don’t get a reputation of being a bad bank, and you can keep doing this.” These slap-on-the-wrist fines are simply the cost of doing business, says Sullivan, who compares the bank’s criminal behavior to the Koch Brothers’modus operandi: violate sanctions and fight the fines in court for as long as possible. “It’s a risk minimization plan, rather than honorable business,” he says. I interviewed Sullivan in 2016 shortly after the release of the Panama Papers.
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Future Now - Bob Johansen on the New Leadership Literacies
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09/06/17 • 28 min

Over the next decade, today's connected world will be explosively more connected. Anything that can be distributed will be distributed: workforces, organizations, supply webs, and more. The tired practices of centralized organizations will become brittle in a future where authority is radically decentralized. Rigid hierarchies will give way to liquid structures. Most leaders—and most organizations—aren't ready for this future. Are you? It's too late to catch up, but it's a great time to leapfrog. Noted IFTF futurist Bob Johansen goes beyond skills and competencies to propose five new leadership literacies—combinations of disciplines, practices, and worldviews—that will be needed to thrive in a VUCA world of increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. This book shows how to (1) forecast likely futures so you can “look back” and make sure you're prepared now for the changes to come, (2) use low-risk gaming spaces to work through your concerns about the future and hone your leadership skills, (3) lead shape-shifting organizations where you can't just tell people what to do, (4) be a dynamic presence even when you're not there in person, and (5) keep your personal energy high and transmit that energy throughout your organization. We spoke to Bob about his visionary book, which provides a vivid description of the ideal talent profile for future leaders. It is written for current, rising star, and aspiring leaders; talent scouts searching for leaders; and executive coaches seeking a fresh view of how leaders will need to prepare. To get ready for this future, we will all need new leadership literacies.
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Future Now - Cosmetic Computing
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03/31/17 • 23 min

Institute for the Future researchers Mark Frauenfelder and David Pescovitz talk with UC Berkeley computer scientist and artist Eric Paulos< about wild ideas for wearable technologies, from sensor-laden temporary tattoos to fingernail display screens.
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FAQ

How many episodes does Future Now have?

Future Now currently has 40 episodes available.

What topics does Future Now cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Future Now?

The episode title 'Future Now 011 — Jules Terpak how AI will shape work and creativity' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Future Now?

The average episode length on Future Now is 39 minutes.

How often are episodes of Future Now released?

Episodes of Future Now are typically released every 21 days, 22 hours.

When was the first episode of Future Now?

The first episode of Future Now was released on Oct 30, 2014.

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