Anticipating techno-social trends is a crucial task for policymakers aiming to promote innovation in a responsible, sustainable, inclusive, and fair way. However, very few of the currently available methodologies for horizon scanning and foresight enable a systematic anticipation of ethical issues linked to emerging technologies. The UK’s Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Ada Lovelace Institute and University of Oxford’s Ethox Centre are working in partnership to develop practical ways of embedding ethical foresight into the policy development process. The ambition is to place ethics at the centre of decisions regarding biomedicine, health and AI governance, so we all benefit. This workshop invites participants to join an experiment to assess one of the methods the co-hosts have developed. Participants will be randomly allocated to groups, taken through the exercises, and be provided with project context. The results of the workshop will subsequently be shared with workshop participants after the Forum, and the hope is for future opportunities to collaborate further.

Navigating the future of global energy requires a balance between qualitative insights and quantitative precision. Many organizations lean heavily on numerical projections, often leading to a misplaced confidence in their strategies. However, foresight experts understand that numbers alone can't capture the full picture. Instead, quantitative models should validate whether future scenarios are grounded in reality or based on unrealistic expectations. This approach is vital as the world undertakes essential transitions in energy and natural resources to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Often, the scenarios we see are either normative—outlining what must happen—or technocratic—focused on specific changes, but these can result in contradictory or overly optimistic projections. This session uses contextual trends to create scenarios that reflect internally consistent, realistic pathways. By focusing on the next 10-15 years of policy and investment cycles, the co-hosts will offer a practical guide for addressing the "wicked problems" of global energy transitions, ensuring decisions are both informed and actionable.

In an era where leaders are increasingly strained by unprecedented change and uncertainty, foresight is more critical than ever. Yet not every leader needs to become a foresight expert. Instead, they need practical tools to integrate foresight into their roles and everyday decision-making. This interactive session, Leaders for Humanity, is designed for foresight professionals eager to help leaders navigate this era of complex, constant change and reimagine the future of leadership. Through an engaging card game, the co-hosts will explore how to equip leaders with the ability to anticipate and respond to future challenges. Participants will also have the opportunity to shape the Dubai Future Forum 2024 expansion pack of Leaders for Humanity, using their foresight expertise to craft plausible scenarios and leadership strategies that will better equip leaders to navigate an increasingly complex future.

In an era where technology and foresight intersect, understanding the impact of Generative AI (Gen AI) on strategic foresight is crucial for shaping the future. This workshop explores the transformative power of AI technologies, with a focus on Gen AI’s disruptive potential and the ethical considerations that arise as we move toward Artificial General Intelligence. Participants will explore how to integrate Gen AI into their foresight practices, enhancing everything from content generation to strategic decision-making. This session will highlight examples of using Gen AI tools in the different phases of foresight research and examine real-world applications, such as Egypt’s Horizon Scanner, an innovative platform designed to advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Designed for foresight professionals, this session provides essential insights into leveraging Generative AI for more effective and insightful futures analysis.

Editing Futures Journals is more than curating content; it’s about shaping the narratives that influence tomorrow’s world. This session brings together editors who have not only navigated the path to leading Futures Journals but have also witnessed and driven change within this dynamic field. Unlike traditional disciplines, editing in Futures Studies requires a unique approach, one that balances emerging trends such as AI in writing and peer review, with a commitment to inclusivity and the integration of diverse perspectives.

As the field evolves, so too does the role of the editor—adapting to new challenges, embracing technological advancements, and facilitating the rise of peer-to-peer journals like Medium. Our panelists will reflect on standout papers that have marked their editorial journey, providing insight into the themes that resonate most strongly in shaping our collective future. This session offers a rare opportunity to hear from those who are at the forefront of editorial innovation, sharing practical advice and tips for those eager to contribute to the ongoing dialogue within Futures Studies.