50 Questions to Ask About Our Futures Today.
A version of this article appears in praescientia magazine June 2025 issue 2
Futures are not just something we wait to unfold—it’s something we shape through the questions we ask. Thought-provoking questions push us beyond the limits of our understanding and help us anticipate challenges, explore opportunities, and imagine possibilities. If we want to navigate uncertainty and prepare for what lies ahead, we need the courage to ask bold and meaningful questions.
Here are 50 questions, spanning technology, society, environment, economy, and politics, to inspire critical thinking and curiosity about the futures we’re creating.
Technology.
Technology is evolving faster than most of us can comprehend, redefining how we work, interact, and solve problems. To prepare for the future, we must question its implications and challenges.
How can we ensure emerging technologies, like AI, are developed and used ethically?
What safeguards will protect society against the misuse of technologies?
What skills will be most valuable in a world reliant on automation?
How might technologies reshape human connection and empathy in the long-term?
How can accessibility be prioritised in tech innovation?
What’s the role of open-source platforms in a technology-driven future?
How can we secure data privacy while enabling innovation?
What happens when machines outperform humans in complex decision-making?
How might technology close—or widen—the global inequality gap?
What should we stop inventing for the benefit of humanity?
Society.
Society’s future will depend on how we tackle inequality, diversity, community structures, and governance. At its core, the future of society is about how humans connect, collaborate, and coexist.
How can we build a more inclusive and equitable society?
What new approaches could redefine education for future generations?
How will our relationship with work change as the gig economy grows?
What will ‘community’ mean in a hyper-connected world?
How can we support mental health on a global scale?
What role should governments play in shaping our futures?
How do we prepare future generations for unresolved social conflicts?
How will urban spaces evolve to meet future population needs?
Can we create systems that reward collaboration over competition?
How will we preserve cultural heritage amidst rapid globalisation?
Environment.
The futures of our planet are intertwined with ours. If sustainability and climate change aren’t addressed urgently, our collective futures face dire consequences.
How can we reverse the damage already done to the planet?
What’s the true cost of inaction on climate change?
How can businesses balance profit with environmental responsibility?
What new technologies could accelerate renewable energy adoption?
How should we prepare cities for rising sea levels and extreme weather?
Can humanity adapt to live more harmoniously with nature?
How do we tackle the issue of resource scarcity?
What might agriculture look like in a world with shifting climates?
How can we build global agreements that prevent ecological collapse?
What could a new symbiosis between human innovation and ecosystems look like?
Economy.
Economic uncertainty often drives change and innovation, but it also poses risks to stability and opportunity. To make sense of the future economy, we need to rethink how wealth, resources, and value are distributed.
How can we redesign economic systems to thrive in uncertain futures?
What industries will no longer exist 30 years from now?
How will global supply chains evolve amid geopolitical uncertainty?
What does the future of work look like with AI taking key roles?
How can wealth inequality be practically addressed?
Can cryptocurrencies redefine how we think about currency altogether?
How should nations prepare for disruptive economic shocks?
What does economic success mean in a less consumption-driven world?
What might sustainable business models look like in 2050?
How will public trust in financial systems evolve over time?
Politics.
The futures of politics will shape how societies govern, resolve conflict, and adapt to an ever-changing landscape. Critical questions about leadership, policy, and citizen engagement will determine how power is wielded and how communities thrive.
How can political systems become more transparent and accountable to the public?
What innovations in governance could help restore or strengthen public trust?
How might technology reshape democratic participation and representation?
What role will global organisations play in solving cross-border challenges?
How can policy-making better reflect the voices and needs of younger generations?
In what ways can governments adapt to rapid technological and cultural change?
How might power structures shift in a multipolar world?
What new forms of civic engagement could emerge in the digital age?
How can societies safeguard against misinformation and protect the integrity of elections?
What ethical frameworks should guide political decisions that impact future generations?
Stay Curious.
The power of these 50 questions lies in their ability to spark self-reflection and provoke broader dialogue. They are an invitation to think critically about the futures we want to build—across industries, societies, and within ourselves.
The path forward is never set. By asking the right questions, we uncover new possibilities, challenge old assumptions, and become better equipped to adapt, innovate, and thrive. It’s time to start shaping tomorrow’s world today—what will you ask first?
