Experts ask: ‘What could be so valuable on Earth that we would take it to another planet?’
Dubai-UAE: November 2024 – A leading scientist and aspiring Martian at the Dubai Future Forum 2024 suggested that Mars offers humanity the opportunity to redesign and build more inclusive societies from scratch.
Dr Adriana Marais, Scientist & Aspiring Martian, said: “Mars offers a unique context to reimagine the fundamental principles of a society built from scratch. As humanity prepares to expand beyond Earth, we must ask: What do we want to carry forward, and what should we leave behind?”.
Discussing what could be so valuable on Earth that we would take it to another planet in the panel titled ‘Essential Items: What Will Withhold the Test of Time and Space?’, Dr Marais said: “The biggest adventure in the history of life on Earth is upon us—humanity has developed the capability to expand beyond our own planet. The question is not just how we go but with what culture and spirit we take this step forward.”
In a session titled ‘Debating the Divide: What is the Future of Our Society’s Health?’, experts including Khalid Alawadhi, Dubai Humanitarian, Dr Kyriacos Koupparis from the UN World Food Programme, and Nabil Abdo from Oxfam International MENA, explored strategies to create a more inclusive future. Dr Koupparis said, “technology is not a silver bullet” while Alawadhi emphasised the importance of data in foresight: “While we may not know exactly what the future holds, numbers provide better predictions, helping us understand what to prepare for.”
Under the Foresight Insights track, Billie Ing, Ipsos Strategy3, Jan Oliver Schwarz, Bavarian Foresight-Institute, and Joanna Lepore, Foresight Inside Group, debated the key attributes of future-builders in a panel titled ‘Today & Tomorrow: What Makes a Futurist?’’.
The session ‘Education in the Year 2100: What Does an Effective School Look Like in the Future?’ brought together experts including Dr Adil Alzarooni of Citizens School Dubai, Fathmath Zahanath Zuhury, a UNICEF Youth Foresight Fellow, and Dr Mike Magee from Minerva University. The discussion focused on envisioning the schools of the future and their evolving roles in education.
In ‘More Than Words: What is the Future of Storytelling?’, Prof Lonny Avi Brooks, AfroRithm Futures Group, Glenn Gainor, Amazon, and Omar Butti, Dubai Film & TV Commission, discussed how sci-fi can help people to imagine futures that are neither utopian nor dystopian.
In ‘Towards Symbiosis: How is Our Relationship with Algorithmic Life-Forms Evolving?’, Prof. Janet Hsiao from Hong Kong University of Science & Technology explored the implications of AI advancements, cautioning against the development of self-aware AI systems.
A panel, ‘Astro-Futures: How Can We Decode Key Planetary Happenings?’, heard from Rose Theodora, Astrologer & Curator, and Sarah Owen, SOON Future Studies; while ‘Repatterning the Future: How Will We Design a World of Shared Prosperity?’ examined how to shape a more inclusive future.
A panel on ‘The Consequences of Cash: How Can Investors Think Like Futurists?’ looked at ethical investing and argued the case for capital to be deployed with a view to building a better future for humanity. The panel was joined by Dr Alexander Dale, MIT Solve, Sacha Haider, Global Ventures, and Dr Judith Aidoo, Caswell Capital Partners.
The third edition of the Dubai Future Forum, taking place from 19-20 November at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, is the world’s largest gathering of futurists. Over 2,500 experts from 100 countries are expected to attend, alongside representatives from 100 global organisations specialising in future design.
