George Johnston: From the Age of Data to the Age of Wisdom

George Johnston, Founder and CEO of Tech City Ventures, joins us on The Century of Cities to unpack how exponential technologies are rewriting the urban playbook. From the early days of personal computing to the fast-approaching era of AI, quantum, and sovereign data ecosystems, George says we're shifting from an age of information to an age of wisdom. He introduces the concept of "exponential cities", places powered not just by tech buzzwords but by integrated systems like autonomous vehicles, genomics, and resilient digital infrastructure that drive inclusive and sustainable growth. George also spotlights Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona as cities already stepping into this future, and makes a compelling case for why talent, culture, and brand will matter more than infrastructure in determining who leads the way.