Futurist and Author David Mattin on Technology, AI, and Human Behavior

December 3, 2024

We all wish we had a better grasp on upcoming trends. Better yet, wouldn’t it be great to have a framework to anticipate trends, i.e. see into the future? If so, you'll love futurist, David Mattin. Among other topics, David and I cover:

• What is the critical role of understanding human needs in predicting the future?

• What is the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior?

• How are technologies like AI are not just tools but partners in fulfilling age-old human desires like connection, status, and convenience?

• What are the ethical challenges of rapid innovation, the decentralization of AI, and its impact on governance, creativity, and the workplace?


I hope you enjoy David’s thought-provoking perspectives and roadmap for thriving in a world shaped by exponential technological change!

David’s Bio:

David Mattin writes about the trends, ideas, innovations, and people set to reshape our shared future.

His work delves into the evolving relationship between technology and human behavior. With a rich background in journalism and history, David transitioned from covering technological revolutions at The Times to consulting global brands on the impact of emerging innovations. He is also co-founder of The Exponentialist, a research service created with RealVision that explores the exponential age of technology. David is passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate transformative trends in AI, robotics, and beyond.

He gives practical and inspiring talks that bring these ideas to life and works with leading organisations to orient their innovation around the trends and futures scenarios that matter.

At the heart of his work is an attempt to understand this version of technological modernity. What is its nature? Where is it leading us? How can we make that future better for everyone?

His writing has appeared everywhere from The Times, to Quartz, to Google Think Quarterly, and David has written and presented documentaries for BBC Radio 4. Previously, David sat on the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Consumption.

(0:00) – Introduction: David Mattin’s background and unique path to becoming a futurist.

(3:10) – The power of history in predicting technological trends.

(10:30) – Virtual companions: AI’s role in meeting human emotional needs.

(18:40) – Decentralized AI and its potential to empower individuals.

(25:00) – Governments vs. tech innovation: Challenges in regulation and governance.

(32:50) – AI in organizations: Creating knowledge-sharing tools like McKinsey’s Lily.

(45:20) – How AI is transforming marketing and creativity.

(51:40) – Advice for innovators: Grounding ideas in human needs.

(1:00:20) – Real Vision and The Exponentialist: Exploring the exponential age.

(1:05:00) – David’s research process and tools for staying ahead of trends.

Sign Me Up for The Podcast

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.