AI in foresight: When the future has a voice

I see it time and time again. When leaders are exposed to their own, often unconscious, assumptions about the future, there is a brief moment of uncertainty – almost an identity crisis. But right there, in the friction between the old and the new, something begins to happen. It is as if doors open, perspectives broaden, and possible futures take shape.

Blog writer Mia Öhrn, communications and workplace strategist at Tenant & Partner – a member of Worklife Group

Suddenly it's no longer about what's possible, but about what future we actually want to be part of building.

And when we add AI to this process, something almost magical happens. Future scenarios that no one in the room had even considered emerge not after days of analysis, but right at the table. AI amplifies what we already know, but may not see, and creates new connections in real time. Suddenly, it’s no longer about what’s possible, but about what future we actually want to be part of building.

I last saw it happen at a roundtable discussion with foresight work a few weeks ago. We had gathered leaders from about 10 companies at large companies and authorities in Sweden to talk about the workplace of the future. Det AI helped us around the table to see significantly moved the positions forward for what these leaders' roles could be in the future. Which they can start navigating and making decisions about today.

What happens when the future gets a voice?

It’s no coincidence that the most exciting conversations happen at round tables. When all voices are given equal weight, something unique emerges. AI makes it possible to highlight more perspectives, weave together weak signals, and create a shared vision – for real.

But what if we could take it even further? Inspired by Future Generations Framework in Wales, we are now exploring how we can include more voices in our decisions. Can we give future generations and nature a natural place at the meeting table?

I wonder – what would happen if we let the future speak in every meeting, even today? What thoughts come to your mind?