Futurologist Georges T. Roos – Futurology makes the future conceivable, enabling better decisions today for tomorrow. The future is unexplored terrain, with megatrends serving as an initial map. Scenarios help anticipate uncertainties, and early detection processes offer an advantage in shaping what lies ahead.
For 20 years, Georges T. Roos has been professionally engaged with the strategic future challenges faced by companies and organizations. He is recognized as Switzerland’s foremost futurologist and is known for his inspiring talks on disruptive scenarios, megatrends, shifts in values, and strategic future readiness. Roos is the founder and director of the private future think tank ROOS Trends & Futures. Additionally, he founded and directs the European Futurists Conference Lucerne and serves on the board of swissfuture – the Swiss Association for Futures Research.
Georges T. Roos – The Future Theses
- Megatrends
What will the megatrends of the future be? Early indicators suggest emerging megatrends centered on artificial intelligence, genetic editing, and blockchain technology. These are described as “technological autonomization,” “bio-transformation,” and “trusted networking.”
- Future challenges following the Ukraine and energy crises.
Long-term challenges serve as a guiding compass. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis have created significant uncertainty about the near future. In such times, maintaining a long-term perspective is difficult. While immediate crises dominate attention, it remains essential—especially because of these crises—to consider the medium to long-term future. What emerges is a view of several major transformations, attempting to contextualize current uncertainties within a broader future horizon.
- The uncertain Future
The future today appears more uncertain than ever before. This perception is accurate, as the unpredictability of what lies ahead is inherent in the structure of our modern, interconnected world.
- Health – The enhancement of human nature
Health is the most commonly expressed hope for the future: when asked about their wishes, many people mention their own health and that of their loved ones. There is no doubt that health is a central concern on personal, political, and economic levels.
It is impossible to predict exactly how we will live in 20 years, as numerous unforeseen events and developments (Unknown Unknowns) will occur. However, the scenarios outlined here are likely to be part of our future. Engaging with these scenarios helps reduce the element of surprise regarding what is to come.
Georges T. Roos began his professional career during his studies at the University of Zurich in journalism, ultimately serving on the editorial board of a mid-sized Swiss daily newspaper. From 1997, he was a member of the executive board of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute until founding his own institute on January 1, 2000.
Since 1997, Georges T. Roos has been studying the driving forces behind social change. “Silver Economy – investing in demographic change.”
His analyses of contemporary trends highlight the future of society in a globalized world, identify challenges, candidly present risks, and consistently emphasize opportunities. While sometimes called an optimist about the future, Roos, a philosophically trained futurologist, avoids hype and apocalyptic visions. He demonstrates how human entrepreneurial spirit has repeatedly driven progress in the past, present, and future. His insights on megatrends have inspired thousands of executives across companies, organizations, and government.
He has authored several studies, including recent works such as Megatrends 2038: Challenges for Switzerland; Lifestyle 202X. Versuch einer Zeitdiagnose (2011, out of print); Wertewandel in der Schweiz 2030. Vier Szenarien (2011); and Suva Zukunftsstudie 2029 (2009).
Born in Basel in 1963 and raised mainly in Central Switzerland, Georges T. Roos studied education, journalism, and psychology at the University of Zurich, earning a lic.phil.I. degree. He is the father of Juan Alberto (born 1999) and Maria (born 2000) and currently resides in Lucerne.
