What's Emerging end of May 2025
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our newsletter for the end of May 2025.
In the next few weeks Paul will continue to work on the strategy implementation consultation process with RSL Victoria, and work with a sport association on their planning. He will also be assisting Blue Light Victoria on their strategy and working with the Shrine of Remembrance on reviewing their strategic plan and presenting on the future of Agriculture to the Commonwealth Bank. He will also continue in his role of Chair with venture philanthropy organisation Social Venture Partners Melbourne. This includes launching a new low bono consulting model for the not-for-profit sector which will provide low cost/high value consulting services with all the money generated going to Social Venture Partners Melbourne to continue their pro bono and grant work in the sector. You can see the details HERE although it is not publicly launched yet. Please get in touch if you think we can help you or point us to tenders you think might be in our wheelhouse.
If you are interested in talking to us about any of our strategy approaches, foresight approaches, workshops, or conference presentations, please Contact Us.
The Emergent Futures Team
In case you missed it. The most popular link from the last edition was :
Can you cut your neighbour's overhanging trees? Here are the rules
Here are the rules for Australia……….Read More
What are we Writing About?
Paul has written a piece in the Our Community newsletter: How not-for-profits can plan for the future in uncertain times…..Read More
What’s Emerging
DeepMind unveils ‘spectacular’ general-purpose science AI
The system, called AlphaEvolve, combines the creativity of a large language model (LLM) with algorithms that can scrutinize the model’s suggestions to filter and improve solutions. It was described in a white paper released by the company on 14 May........…..Read More
This face tattoo can read your mind and could make you a better worker
Researchers have developed an e-tattoo to measure brainwaves and monitor a person's mental fatigue. They say the e-tattoo could help people in high-risk jobs, like air traffic controllers and truck drivers, avoid mental strain when working..….….Read more
UK’s Royal Mail acquires its 7,000th EV, with further expansion planned
Royal Mail only purchased its first electric vans in 2017, highlighting just how rapidly the postal service has adopted EVs, and once again proves the capabilities of electric vans in what is a heavy-demand and critical application for keeping the country’s postal service moving....…..Read More
CERN gears up to ship antimatter across Europe
Unfortunately, the hardware used to capture antiprotons also produces interference that limits the precision with which measurements can be made. So CERN decided that it might be good to determine how to move the antimatter away from where it's produced. Since it was tackling that problem anyway, CERN decided to make a shipping container for antimatter, allowing it to be put on a truck and potentially taken to labs throughout Europe. Paul: Sounds like the start of a Bond movie...............…..Read More
Baby Is Healed With World’s First Personalized Gene-Editing Treatment
The technique used on a 9½-month-old boy with a rare condition has the potential to help people with thousands of other uncommon genetic diseases.......……. Read More
WeightWatchers scraps business model to team up with anti-obesity drugs provider
All CheqUp members will be able to access a WeightWatchers app, which has been specifically designed for people on weight-loss injections, with guidance from experts on food recommendations to minimise the side effects of the medication, such as nausea, while supporting healthy weight loss......…..Read more
Increase in value of agricultural land exceeds all other property types, report finds
An Australian Property Institute report reveals farmland in western Victoria has increased in value by 800 per cent over the last 20 years. Agricultural property values increased by 256 per cent over the last 20 years, compared to 154 per cent for housing, the report found...……. Read More
The re-emergence of polio in Papua New Guinea shows global eradication remains elusive
The highly infectious virus was found in two healthy, polio-vaccinated children who were screened following detection of the virus during routine wastewater sampling in Lae, PNG’s second largest city. Wastewater samples are also positive in the capital Port Moresby, indicating the potential of spread around the country.
The strain has been identified as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, similar genetically to a strain circulating in Indonesia.......…..Read more
Klarna changes its AI tune and again recruits humans for customer service
Over a year after claiming that its AI chatbot could do the work of 700 representatives, Klarna is turning back to people to help with customer service work......…..Read more
UK’s first AC V2G chargers installed in fleet depots in huge step for grid stability
This bidirectional flow can significantly reduce costs for fleet operators, improve grid stability, and support the UK’s push towards net zero. By charging during off-peak hours when prices are low and feeding energy back during peak demand, fleets can potentially save thousands of pounds each year.....…..Read more
Visa and Mastercard unveil AI-powered shopping
AI agents will be able to shop and make purchases on behalf of consumers, based on preselected preferences. Paul: what could possibly go wrong?.....…..Read more
Beyond the backlash: What evidence shows about the economic impact of DEI
In the corporate world, DEI initiatives are intended to promote diversity, and research consistently shows that diversity is good for business. Companies with more diverse teams tend to perform better across several key metrics, including revenue, profitability and worker satisfaction.....…..Read more
Business and Other Tips
A Ministroke Can Have Major Consequences
So-called transient ischemic attacks can eventually lead to cognitive declines as steep as those following a full-on stroke, new research finds. Paul: Read this and do not shrug off minor signs in the future if you have them…….Read More
Exploding Topics
Another useful newsletter you can sign up to look at trends. Paul: Think about them critically though, trends themselves are not much use. Ask yourself what are the second and third order consequences, what if the trend breaks, how do I combine trends into scenarios I can think about?……….Read More
Compression tights and tops: do they actually benefit you during (or after) exercise?
You’ve seen them in every gym: tight black leggings, neon sleeves and even knee-length socks. Compression gear is everywhere, worn by weekend joggers, elite athletes and influencers striking poses mid-squat. But do compression garments actually improve your performance or is the benefit mostly in your head?..………..Read More