Disclaimer: The artworks presented here are speculative visualisations generated using AI. They are based on current insights and expert forecasts, but they represent imagined possibilities rather than definitive predictions of the future. The stories, artworks, and locations mentioned in them should be understood as creative interpretations rather than factual representations of real-world scenarios.
As machines evolve into more efficient tools, they reshape how we work and live. In a world driven by tech giants pushing for faster deliveries, small, craft, and labour-based businesses are at risk. Are we heading toward a future where human labour fades into obsolescence?
At Futurescape, a research project, we explored such critical questions about humanity's future. We gathered insights from experts, superforecasters, and the public, addressing key global domains: Climate, Economy, Peace/War, and Public Health.
We collaborated with Indian artist Abhishek Choudhary to imagine a future scenario where the dependency on automation and machine-driven solutions will reshape everyday life, eliminating the need for human labour even in the most personal and artisanal tasks.
In a speculative future ad, Abhishek painted a picture of reimagined homeownership. In this world, where drones and AI handle nearly all 'labour' tasks, an e-commerce giant revolutionizes the market by delivering pre-fabricated, modular homes—designed by AI—straight to buyers.
Homeownership, once out of reach due to soaring real estate and labour costs, is now possible for many middle-class families thanks to affordable, ready-to-move-in homes. While welcomed by many, this shift has also led to massive job losses and unemployment in the construction sector.
How do you envision a world driven by automation? Visit the Futurescape website to explore forecasted scenarios of technology and society and challenge your understanding of past trends for societal change with our interactive game.
This exhibit is part of Futurescape, a project from the Wisdom and Culture Lab at the University of Waterloo, in collaboration with scholars from the Forecasting Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Through a longitudinal forecasting tournament, researchers explored possible visions for human welfare and societal change, drawing on the insights of experts, superforecasters, and everyday people across four key domains: Climate, Economy, Peace/ War, and Public Health.
This project has inspired an innovative digital exhibition, Visions of the Future, which brings together the fields of forecasting, art, and technology.
Exhibit Curation: Project FUEL and Igor Grossmann
Artist: Abhishek Choudhury
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