What we’re about
This group is for people who are interested in the future and maybe want to help shape it.
The acceleration of technology means that the near future may bring radical changes to all of us. Major developments in technologies like anti-aging, nanotech, genetics, computing, robotics, and geo-engineering are going to make the next few years very exciting - and possibly also very dangerous. We could gain god-like powers - but we might also lose sight of our humanity, and destroy everything that we used to hold dear.
What's your view? Are things improving? Too slowly or too quickly? Are we are entering a new golden age? Or is the potential "Technological Singularity" something to fear? What does it mean to talk about "Human 2.0" and "Humanity+"? Or perhaps you view such talk as techno-hype? Maybe you just like the practical side of technology and want to find out more about possible paradigm shifts?
Anybody is welcome to this group - you don't have to be a Techno Geek or work for some futuristic company to be in our group. The future applies to us all!
Come join in the debate - have your opinions voiced and maybe make some interesting new friends.
All we ask is that members treat each other with the respect they would want for themselves. Our group has members of many ages and backrounds. We have many different perspectives on what the future may bring and like to share different ideas with each other. We approach the future with a open mind and sense of humility. Our group mission is to introduce you to some of the ideas, advancements and people who are making our future happen today.
If you have a subject you would like us to discuss at a meetup just drop us a line.
Note: Videos of some of the previous meetings are available on our YouTube Channel here https://www.youtube.com/user/LondonFuturists/ and here: (Older Archive).
Upcoming events
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How can better foresight actually improve the world?
·OnlineOnlineFuturists and other practitioners of foresight have often created impressive-looking reports - which have frequently failed to bring about meaningful improvements in the worlds of economics and politics. What's gone wrong? What's been lacking? And what chance is there for some of us to go beyond these shortcomings?
This live London Futurists webinar will feature a panel of speakers with distinctive views on the above questions.
Topics that may be explored include
- The wider set of methods and processes that the discipline of foresight can deploy
- Technological tools that can improve decision-making and adaptive responses
- The transformative power of narrative
- Options for enhancing the effectiveness of global institutions
- Past examples of when good foresight did improve the world
The webinar will also include time for audience questions, feedback, and extended conversation.
To conclude the event, plans will be made for follow-up events or projects with the same overarching general theme of "From forecasts to levers".
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This event will be hosted on Zoom. To register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5FMdGOadTl2LgpnzaeqUpg
There will be no charge to attend the webinar.
The webinar will start broadcasting at 4pm UK time on Sat 17th January. To find this time in other timezones, you can use this conversion page.
Please log into Zoom up to 10 minutes ahead of the start time of the event, so you won't miss the start of the live broadcast.
As the discussion proceeds, attendees will be welcome to raise questions and vote to prioritise questions raised by others.
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The panellists:
- Rohit Talwar: Global Futurist and CEO, Fast Future
- Margeret Heath: Independent interdisciplinary cybernetics researcher
- Guilhem Kuczynski: Independent metacognition specialist and narrative engineer
- Isabel Serval: Foresight Strategist and Futures Provocateur, Traversing Futures
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To register on Zoom for this event, click here.80 attendees
What we must never give away to AI
·OnlineOnlineAs AI systems become more capable and more widely deployed, what are the human principles and practices that it will be especially important for us to retain and uphold, and not to surrender to AIs?
Here's the story so far:
- Our smart automated systems have progressed from doing tasks that are dull, dirty, dark, or dangerous - tasks that we humans have generally been happy to stop doing;
- They have moved on to assisting us - and then increasingly displacing us - in work that requires rationality, routine, and rigour;
- They're now displaying surprising traits of creativity, compassion, and care - taking more and more of the "cool" jobs.
Where should we say "stop" - lest we humans end up hopelessly enfeebled?
This online conversation, facilitated by futurists Matt O'Neill and David Wood, is a chance to explore which elements of human capability most need to be exercised and preserved. For example, consider:
- Judgement - Deciding what truly matters when information is incomplete or overwhelming.
- Stance - Knowing exactly what you will delegate to AI... And what you never will.
- Taste - Your instinctive sense of quality, timing, relevance, and cultural fit.
- Meaning-making - Explaining why things matter and what they mean for people, not just what the data shows.
- Responsibility - Owning the outcomes that affect people, trust, and your organisation's future.
You may have some very different ideas. You'll be welcome to share your views and experience.
This event will be taking place via LinkedIn. Click here for more details: https://www.linkedin.com/events/whatwemustnevergiveawaytoai-our7417901344268795904/
Note that the event is not a keynote or a panel. It’s a guided conversation.
Matt and David will introduce the ideas, share a few real-world examples, and then invite participants into discussion. The focus is practical, reflective, and grounded in lived experience.
If you’re interested in AI, leadership, human agency, or the psychological side of automation, this is a space to think out loud with others who care about where the boundaries should sit.
Date: Tuesday 10 February
Time: 7:00-8:00pm (UK)
Format: Online, discussion-led
Come curious. Come thoughtful.
Leave with sharper insights of your own.17 attendees
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