Experts of the Symposium "Inventing the Future" outlined the long-term trajectory of humanity’s development

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Representatives of leading analytical and research centres from Russia, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, and the UAE gathered at the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" to share their vision of humanity’s long-term development paths and to provide a systemic assessment of global challenges. The panel discussion "Horizons of the Future: Trends, Challenges, Scenarios" was organised in cooperation with the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK).

Russian futurist, international UN Development Programme foresight expert, Doctor of Economics, Professor and Director of the Centre for Science and Technology Foresight at HSE ISSEK, Alexander Chulok, who moderated the session, noted that the future may evolve along many scenarios, but it is crucial to define which future we want to create.

Deputy Director of the International Foresight Centre at HSE, Yulia Milshina, discussed the close interconnection between technology, economy and society in the modern world.

"There are no isolated problems anymore. For example, a breakthrough in quantum computing could overturn global financial markets overnight. Climate change can force people to migrate, disrupting social systems. A labour market shock caused by artificial intelligence may lead to inequality and political instability. All this shows that wildcards trigger complex cascading risks," said Yulia Milshina.

Director of the Centre for Strategic Analytics and Big Data at HSE ISSEK, Konstantin Vishnevsky, spoke about the iFORA system — an intelligent big data analysis platform developed at the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge at HSE. The system, which has no analogues in Russia, is based on advanced semantic analysis and machine learning technologies. He noted that while the system was previously used as an assistant to analysts, it now independently identifies trends and emerging technologies.

Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Taimur Fahad Khan, stated that humanity is entering an era where artificial intelligence affects every field. However, it is essential to ensure a responsible approach to AI.

"We are witnessing the birth of a new, more resilient system where cooperation between different countries becomes possible. There are three key strategic crossroads that can lead to multipolarity. The first is openness versus isolation in technology. In a fragmented digital world, inequality will flourish, and innovation will stagnate, affecting both the economy and political relations. The second is the choice between an energy transition or maintaining the current regime. Green energy can drive development, while reliance on fossil fuels will worsen the environment. The third is pragmatism. Cooperation is essential; pluralism can exist when guided by a shared purpose," said Taimur Fahad Khan.

Rasigan Maharajh, Director General of Tshwane University of Technology and member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, pointed out that the world faces inequality, with billions lacking basic necessities, while humanity leaves behind a massive ecological footprint. He described the situation as a polycrisis, calling for new approaches to managing uncontrollable processes that represent major global challenges.

"We all strive for education, access to clean water and basic goods that many people are deprived of," said Rasigan Maharajh.

Director of Future Foresight and Planning at the RIT Dubai, Ozcan Saritas, shared insights showing that humanity is spending an increasing amount of time in the digital world.

"We are now facing a new world that is growing. It possesses such power that it strongly influences us on physical and many other levels. It is a digital world — full of people you do not know and who do not know you. And we are spending more and more time in this world," said Ozcan Saritas.

In conclusion, Alexander Chulok emphasised that the outcomes of the Symposium "Inventing the Future" show that there are no threats or challenges — only opportunities we have not yet learned to use, relying on our natural ingenuity.

"Working with the future is becoming an everyday routine that helps make it comfortable for everyone," he said.

The II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is held on 7 – 8 October at the National Centre RUSSIA, bringing together participants from more than 85 countries and all regions of the Russian Federation. It features over 260 Russian and international experts from China, the United States, Italy, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The expert and open programmes include around 50 events. The programme and livestreams are available on the website.

The International Symposium "Inventing the Future" is organised on the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, under the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Analytical partner is VCIOM Analytical Centre. Literary partner is Eksmo-AST Publishing Group.