It’s been a global whirlwind since we last Decoded the Future together in mid-April: I’ve been speaking at events in Helsinki, Miami, the Gold Coast and Sydney and juggling client projects, research, and scenario planning in Los Angeles, New York, Brisbane and Stockholm while candidly navigating personal disruption (a divorce) and running at 100 miles an hour. Even with AI, I am not superhuman (yet) - clearly...
Now, I’m back at my cabin in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park with time to reflect and do some deep work—and that reflection led directly into my recent Sky News musings on Sir Jony Ive’s (of Apple design fame) and Sam Altman's AI hardware venture... what does the future of AI have in store you might ask...
A New Kind of Device?
What if the next breakthrough gadget isn’t a phone or glasses but a pocketable, screen-free AI companion designed by Jony Ive and OpenAI and inspired by the movie "Her"? OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s “io” startup in a deal near $6.5B signals ambition to redefine how we engage with AI. Imagine an ambient assistant that anticipates needs, listens contextually, and liberates us from constant screen checks - something akin to the AI from "Her" perhaps... (and maybe something that I would have needed during my global tour recently).
Exponential Shockwaves
AI capabilities aren’t just advancing—they’re doubling roughly every three to seven months. Pause for a quarter, and competitors sprint ahead: one quarter’s inaction can mean being twice as far behind. Today’s smartphones already offer AI-driven photo edits and smart composing; tomorrow, ambient devices could embed AI into every moment.
Jobs in Flux—Fear or Opportunity?
Headlines warn of mass displacement as organisations restructure: major banks like DBS plan up to 10% workforce cuts over three years due to AI integration. Yet the deeper question is how to “take the robot out of the human,” shifting people from repetitive work to creative, empathetic, high-impact roles. Universal Basic Income debates may intensify, but proactive upskilling and role redesign are equally critical.
Design + Storytelling: Charting the Path
Look to science fiction for inspiration—but ground innovation in ethical design:
What daily rituals emerge when an AI companion predicts needs?
How do we embed privacy, agency and bias safeguards in always-on devices?
Which 2028–2032 scenarios reveal hidden risks or breakthrough opportunities?
Action Steps (Your 3-Minute Sprint)
• Scan hardware trends: explore pilots or partnerships for ambient AI interfaces.
• Adopt an exponential mindset: schedule quarterly AI impact reviews.
• Redesign roles: audit tasks ripe for automation; map pathways into creativity and empathy-led work.
• Prototype ethical guardrails: embed privacy and fairness checks from day one.
• Run scenario sprints: envision life with ubiquitous AI companions; surface strategic moves now.
• Tell future stories: use vivid narratives to align teams on opportunities and pitfalls.
Reflect to Propel
If ambient AI devices become common, how would your customer journeys evolve?
Which parts of your organisation will benefit most from offloading routine tasks—and how will you reskill those people?
What partnerships position you at the forefront of AI-enabled hardware or services?
How will you balance rapid adoption with ethical and societal obligations?
The pace is relentless. As Ive and OpenAI explore new frontiers, now is the moment for proactive foresight, experimentation and unwavering commitment to human-centred values. Watch, reflect and share your insights—let’s decode tomorrow together.
Anders Sörman-Nilsson
Futurist | Keynote Speaker | Brand Strategist
PS. Super excited to keynote at CoreNet's EMEA Conference on September 9 in Amsterdam. If you are hosting a European or Middle Eastern conference in early/middle of September - email me to enquire about availability.
WE WILL EQUIP YOU WITH THE VIDEOS AND MATERIALS YOU NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY PITCH ASN.
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