Looking to the Future

Kerry Parke

Editor In Chief - IE Insights at IE University

Published Nov 22, 2023

With IE University now entering its next 50 years, we at IE Insights have created Ideas to Shape the Future, a collection of 50 articles that explore the possibilities and challenges that the future might bring. These articles, which are available online here and in a small printing of books, span a wide range of subjects, from language, art, creativity, and communication to leadership, workplace dynamics, governance, cybersecurity, decarbonization, cities and society, democracy and geopolitics.

Despite the variety of subject matter, these articles are interconnected by common themes, such as the role technology plays in shaping our future. These days, innovation comes at us fast and hard, and it is evident that technology, in various forms, will become integral to nearly every aspect of our lives – whether it's biotech transforming healthcare or artificial intelligence revolutionizing the way we learn and the way we work. What is also clear is that as we embrace these new tools, we must remain mindful and vigilant of their impact on society.

Another recurring theme is the importance of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. For instance, Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing writes about how banks can promote sustainable development through a holistic approach to risk management. Wildlife veterinarian Deborah McCauley highlights the significance of protecting biodiversity and conserving natural resources for the well-being of future generations, both human and animal.

But perhaps the most pervasive thread in this collection is a fundamental inquiry: What does it mean to be human? Philosophers and scholars have pondered this very question throughout history. As humans, we cannot help but to ask it any more than we can help but to imagine the future. The message that arises from Ideas to Shape the Future is that, as we peer into the future, we must recognize that we are the ones who have the power to shape it. As the Hay Festival 's Caroline Michel notes, we possess a wealth of human creativity to explain, examine, and debate. This is our essence, and like the future itself, our potential is limitless.

Each article in Ideas to Shape the Future offers a unique perspective, drawing on the expertise of leading thinkers and practitioners in their respective fields. Please take a look through them. I hope that they inspire you to think more deeply about the future and the role that you can play in shaping it.

Thanks belong to Alex Cope , Javier Cumella Jordán , Cristina Manzano , and to Erretres – The Strategic Design Company and Willing Press.