What's Emerging end of January 2025
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our first newsletter for 2025. We hope that you all had a happy and safe holiday season.
In the next few weeks Paul will continue to work on the strategy implementation consultation process with RSL Victoria and present on the future of AI to a CEO roundtable. He will also continue working on his new startup which now has partial funding. He will also continue in his role of Chair with venture philanthropy organisation Social Venture Partners.
If you are interested in talking to us about any of our strategy approaches, foresight approaches, workshops, or conference presentations for next year, please Contact Us.
The Emergent Futures Team
In case you missed it. The most popular link from the last edition was:
Brain Dump Meaning: How This Simple Technique Can Boost Your Productivity
In today's fast-paced world, the overwhelming flood of tasks, thoughts, and responsibilities can easily lead to stress and mental overload. When your mind is juggling a hundred things at once, it becomes nearly impossible to focus effectively or find the clarity needed to make sound decisions. This is where the concept of a "brain dump" comes in—a powerful technique to declutter your mind and make way for productivity and peace of mind.……….Read More
What are we Writing About?
Paul did a radio interview shortly after the US Presidential election on the future implications of the result. Unfortunately, the interview has not been separated from whole program and there is a bit of a problem with the sound level. So go to 1 hour 3 minutes and 28 seconds in and turn up the volume………. Listen here
What’s Emerging
Analysis: Record surge of clean energy in 2024 halts China’s CO2 rise
However, the new analysis for Carbon Brief, based on official figures and commercial data, shows the tail end of China’s rebound from zero-Covid in January and February, combined with abnormally high growth in energy demand, stopped CO2 emissions falling in 2024 overall...........…..Read More
Fermented clothing? Here’s how the biofilm on kombucha can be turned into green textiles
If you’ve ever made kombucha, you will be familiar with the term SCOBY – a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. It’s impossible to miss – it’s the floating biofilm on top of your delicious drink. While a SCOBY looks gross, it is remarkably versatile. If you feed it on sugar and tea or coffee in large vats, it grows rapidly.....….….Read more
Male mosquitoes to be genetically engineered to poison females with semen in Australian research
Toxic male mosquitoes will poison females with their semen in a new population control method developed by Australian researchers. The method involves genetically engineering males to produce spider and sea anemone venom proteins, which they inject into females during mating, reducing their lifespan......…..Read More
Baidu’s supercheap robotaxis should scare the hell out of the US
The RT6 is the sixth generation of Apollo Go’s driverless vehicle, which made its official debut in May 2024. It’s a purpose-built, Level 4 autonomous vehicle, meaning it’s built without the need for a human driver. And here’s the thing that should make US competitors nervous: adopting a battery-swapping solution, the price for one individual RT6 is “under $30,000,”............…..Read More
AI weather models can now beat the best traditional forecasts
A new machine-learning weather prediction model called GenCast can outperform the best traditional forecasting systems in at least some situations, according to a paper by Google DeepMind researchers published in Nature. Using a diffusion model approach similar to artificial intelligence (AI) image generators, the system generates multiple forecasts to capture the complex behaviour of the atmosphere. It does so with a fraction of the time and computing resources required for traditional approaches.......……. Read More
World-first stem-cell treatment restores vision in people
The treatment, given to four people with damaged corneas, seems safe but needs to be tested in larger trials. Three people with severely impaired vision who received stem-cell transplants have experienced substantial improvements in their sight that have persisted for more than a year.....……. Read More
Human brain organoid-based AI processors get closer to becoming reality
The company FinalSpark is now offering researchers access to their experimental human brain organoid processors for $500 per month.....…..Read more
Netflix’s UK Audience Reach Overtook BBC1 For The First Time Last Year
The unseating of Britain’s most popular channel may not have been permanent, but it represents a possible inflection point in the battle between traditional broadcasters and U.S. streaming giants......…..Read more
Pork from gene-edited disease resistant pigs should be on grocery shelves in 2025
US regulatory authorities are expected to approve a new pig that has been gene-edited to make it more resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). This idea of gene-edited super livestock isn’t a new one, either. In fact, we’ve seen quite a few attempts at it in the past.....…..Read more
Chinese scientists simulate ‘hunting’ Starlink satellites in orbit
Taking inspiration from whales, Chinese researchers have created their own method for targeting satellite constellations.Results from the computer simulation showed that China could effectively approach nearly 1,400 Starlink satellites within 12 hours using just 99 Chinese satellites. These could be equipped with lasers, microwaves and other devices to conduct reconnaissance, tracking or other operations....…..Read more
Robotic sea turtle could soon be swimming in an ocean near you
Because the RoboTurtle swims by quietly flapping its multi-jointed bionic legs, its designers claim that it should be less disruptive to wildlife than unnatural-looking robots with whining propellers. It additionally features a buoyancy control system that lets it rise and fall within the water column, and to float at the surface......…..Read more
Decarbonization:
2021, The Complex, Reagents
The Nat Bullard annual presentation on decarbonisation.......…..Read more
Business and Other Tips
321 real-world gen AI use cases from the world's leading organizations
Google updated these in December. Paul:useful but we advise caution.……….Read More
Strategic Foresight Toolkit for Resilient Public Policy
The Strategic Foresight Toolkit for Resilient Public Policy helps anticipate challenges and opportunities that could reshape the policy landscape between 2030 and 2050. These disruptions are not predictions, but hypothetical future developments identified through extensive research, expert consultations, and workshops .……….Read More
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