“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” – Niels Bohr

Each time we open an app and start interacting with it, we’re bombarded with suggestions: articles to read, items to buy, people to connect with, etc… The ability to predict and recommend what will make us click and convert online is remarkable, consequently so is its influence on our perceptions.

In my last blog post, I touched on how AI is reshaping our world by democratizing and automating predictions.

With a global health pandemic on our hands, the tone of the media has amplified our fear factor. Coupling this with an even more acute machine powered capability to recommend readings, our perceptions are naturally biased. For a few weeks, I too was skeptical of what laid ahead.

I wanted to share my take on some movements that I trust will only be accelerated and anchored in without the emotional nuances related to this tragedy.

Crises are an important catalyst to profound changes. What was already in transition is often only accelerated by them.

Covid-19 is no different.

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But I guess it took a pandemic to realize that:

• Everyday at an office is unnecessary, perhaps even counter productive. But everyday on Zoom is also not sustainable. The physical workplace will continue to morph into a more hybrid mode.

• Megacities are not the only option. Along with the workplace transformation, new energy efficient and autonomous transportation will make anywhere become somewhere.

• Blindly believing media filtered experts is risky. Blindly trusting politicians can be even worse. As mainstream media continues to present biased datasets, online communities of influencers are emerging as voices of reason. Their voice will only become louder as communities become more trusted. We need to be careful of the echo chambers opinions, amplified by AI, who are likely to tighten our positions. The future of media isn’t new companies but a billion unique voices. 

• Our education system is outdated and forced to adapt. From what is taught to how it is being taught and by whom. Creating a “microschool,” is a concept that emerged from the lock downs and that sits between two of the most polarizing points on the education spectrum: private school and homeschooling. In any case, the new learning model will need to be on par with the pace of innovation. The future generation of leaders depends on it.

• Telemedicine needs to become the default. To better protect our healthcare workers but also to better constrain future pandemic.  Shutting down the economy to protect a population at risk is not a viable option. Investments in identifying and containing viruses should not be subverted by the investments made in finding its cure. Both need to be celebrated.

• We live in a global system where decisions have a global impact. A virus that started in China shut down the entire world. International Organizations have been challenged by how they responded to the crisis but their presence will be necessary in supporting how we want to shape our global economy of the future. There won’t be a vaccine for a global energy crisis. 

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One common denominator: Leadership Matters.

Great leaders who understand global movements and who are challenging status quo are emerging. Across diverse functions and communities, they are rising and striving to create certainty and cooperative goals for the greater good.

As Churchill said during the great crisis of World War II, there’s a way to reassure people that they are progressing, while still keeping them focused and aligned for the tough times ahead that remains.

So what’s next is uncertain and what we are facing is extraordinary. But I refuse to let negativity infest us with discouragements and get in the way of the greater changes that have started emerging.

You can’t control the future but you can control how you will inspire and lead through this transition. 

As always, thoughts and feedback welcome!

Marie