S2E5: Gerd Leonhard: Futurist, Humanist & CEO, The Futures Agency

DON'T MISS the latest episode of the 1% Better Podcast featuring visionary Futurist Gerd Leonhard!- Explore the fine line between harnessing technology for a better tomorrow and preserving our humanity. 🌍✨ 🎧 This conversation sheds light the potential and pitfalls of rapid technological progress but also calls for a thoughtful approach to integrating technology into society, ensuring that it serves to enrich human life rather than diminish it. Let’s envision and build a balanced future together! Check out Gerd’s book Technology vs HumanityLearn more about The Futures AgencyConnect with Gerd Leonhard on LinkedInFollow Gerd Leonhard on TwitterSubscribe to Gerd Leonhard’s YouTube ChannelConnect with Craig Thielen on LinkedIn Key takeaways The Role of a Futurist and Humanist: Gerd Leonhard describes his work as focusing on intuition and imagination rather than prediction, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future by exploring potential developments in technology and society. He advocates for a balanced view of technology, ensuring it serves humanity without overwhelming our human values. Technology vs. Humanity: The dialogue delves into Leonhard’s book, “Technology vs. Humanity,” highlighting the critical examination of the relationship between rapid technological advancements and human values. The discussion reflects on how technologies, especially AI, can significantly benefit society if used wisely but also pose risks of dehumanization and loss of control if not ethically managed. Human Protection Mechanism: Leonhard calls for a “technocratic oath,” suggesting that companies and developers commit to using technology for the common good, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in technological development to prevent dehumanization and ensure technology enhances rather than replaces human qualities. The Future of AI and Humanity: The conversation explores the potential of AI and other emerging technologies to solve complex global issues like climate change and health crises. However, Leonhard stresses the need for a global consensus on the ethical use of such technologies to avoid exacerbating existing social inequalities and ensuring they contribute positively to society. The Good Future Project: Leonhard discusses his initiative aimed at rebranding the future positively, encouraging a more optimistic outlook towards the potential of technology and humanity working together to address global challenges. The project seeks to inspire hope and action towards building a future where technology enhances human life without compromising our core values and connections.