David Wood
@dw-2.bsky.social
Chair, London Futurists. Executive Director of LEV Foundation. Author or Lead Editor of 12 books about the future. PDA/smartphone pioneer. Symbian co-founder
Just announced: an online London Futurists conversation on 25th Feb: "From Bad to Bright Future: How to make it happen" with lead provocateur Tony Czarnecki. Free to attend. More details at www.meetup.com/london-futur...
February 14, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Just announced: an online London Futurists conversation on 25th Feb: "From Bad to Bright Future: How to make it happen" with lead provocateur Tony Czarnecki. Free to attend. More details at www.meetup.com/london-futur...
Some images from my opening slides at the ICfS session on "Harnessing AI for Water Resilience and Sustainable Growth" on Monday, 10:30 – 11:25 AM IST, in West Wing Room 6, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi - part of the Global AI Impact Summit. Free registration: impact.indiaai.gov.in/registration
February 14, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Some images from my opening slides at the ICfS session on "Harnessing AI for Water Resilience and Sustainable Growth" on Monday, 10:30 – 11:25 AM IST, in West Wing Room 6, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi - part of the Global AI Impact Summit. Free registration: impact.indiaai.gov.in/registration
Here are some headlines from the slides I have prepared to introduce the London Futurists discussion later today (7:30pm UK time) on "The Economics of Abundance: Achieving it and Sustaining it"
February 11, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Here are some headlines from the slides I have prepared to introduce the London Futurists discussion later today (7:30pm UK time) on "The Economics of Abundance: Achieving it and Sustaining it"
I've prepared my scene-setting remarks for tomorrow's online London Futurists discussion, "What we must never give away to AI". Despite huge uncertainty over near-future developments, there are six trends that we should continue to keep in mind
February 9, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I've prepared my scene-setting remarks for tomorrow's online London Futurists discussion, "What we must never give away to AI". Despite huge uncertainty over near-future developments, there are six trends that we should continue to keep in mind
The inaugural conference of the Hub for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (HEET) will take place on 16th April Collegio Carlo Alberto, Turin. Consider attending if you're interested or concerned about human enhancement tech, trustworthy AI development, and/or quantum technologies
February 8, 2026 at 10:06 PM
The inaugural conference of the Hub for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (HEET) will take place on 16th April Collegio Carlo Alberto, Turin. Consider attending if you're interested or concerned about human enhancement tech, trustworthy AI development, and/or quantum technologies
Taking place in the London Futurists Discord at 7:30pm UK time this Wednesday (11th Feb): An exploration of "The Economics of Abundance: Achieving it and Sustaining it"
February 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Taking place in the London Futurists Discord at 7:30pm UK time this Wednesday (11th Feb): An exploration of "The Economics of Abundance: Achieving it and Sustaining it"
"Can we change the future?" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists. It provides two answers to that question: "not much" and "a great deal"
February 6, 2026 at 8:22 PM
"Can we change the future?" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists. It provides two answers to that question: "not much" and "a great deal"
Reducing AI risk isn't just about slowing down. It's also about removing the pressure to rush.
February 5, 2026 at 2:57 AM
Reducing AI risk isn't just about slowing down. It's also about removing the pressure to rush.
"Seven forthcoming futurist and futurist-adjacent events" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists:
1) Take Back Tomorrow: Sat 31st Jan;
2) Pull The Plug launch: Mon 2nd Feb;
3) The Adolescence of Technology: Wed 4th Feb;
(continued)
1) Take Back Tomorrow: Sat 31st Jan;
2) Pull The Plug launch: Mon 2nd Feb;
3) The Adolescence of Technology: Wed 4th Feb;
(continued)
January 29, 2026 at 1:46 PM
"Seven forthcoming futurist and futurist-adjacent events" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists:
1) Take Back Tomorrow: Sat 31st Jan;
2) Pull The Plug launch: Mon 2nd Feb;
3) The Adolescence of Technology: Wed 4th Feb;
(continued)
1) Take Back Tomorrow: Sat 31st Jan;
2) Pull The Plug launch: Mon 2nd Feb;
3) The Adolescence of Technology: Wed 4th Feb;
(continued)
Just announced: "Learning with Machines", on Sat 7th Feb. Futurists Bruce Lloyd, Peter Scott, and Alexandra Whittington will be highlighting opportunities and risks of involving AI when we study, conduct research, develop forecasts, draft policies, and explore new possibilities
January 26, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Just announced: "Learning with Machines", on Sat 7th Feb. Futurists Bruce Lloyd, Peter Scott, and Alexandra Whittington will be highlighting opportunities and risks of involving AI when we study, conduct research, develop forecasts, draft policies, and explore new possibilities
On Thursday (29th Jan), the venerable Cambridge Union will debate "This House Believes Science Should Pursue Immortality". Anyone with a life membership of that union (my card dates, ahem, from 1978) and who is in the vicinity, may wish to consider attending
January 25, 2026 at 6:04 PM
On Thursday (29th Jan), the venerable Cambridge Union will debate "This House Believes Science Should Pursue Immortality". Anyone with a life membership of that union (my card dates, ahem, from 1978) and who is in the vicinity, may wish to consider attending
Ahead of the two events, here are some ideas to start the freaky/fabulous conversation rolling. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own ideas too. After all, to improve our preparedness for future shocks, we need the insight and wisdom from multiple different perspectives!
January 25, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Ahead of the two events, here are some ideas to start the freaky/fabulous conversation rolling. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own ideas too. After all, to improve our preparedness for future shocks, we need the insight and wisdom from multiple different perspectives!
Just announced: For Friday the 13th, consider joining London Futurists in Ye Olde Cock Tavern in Fleet Street, for a beyond-your-comfort-zone investigation of freaky and/or fabulous ways that breakthrough technologies could dramatically alter our lives in the next few years.
January 25, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Just announced: For Friday the 13th, consider joining London Futurists in Ye Olde Cock Tavern in Fleet Street, for a beyond-your-comfort-zone investigation of freaky and/or fabulous ways that breakthrough technologies could dramatically alter our lives in the next few years.
Just announced: "Take Back Tomorrow", a London Futurists webinar on 31st Jan, exploring the timely bold new "The Bad Future" initiative of @futuristgerd.com. Liselotte Lyngsø will be providing real-time feedback. For more details and to register see www.meetup.com/london-futur...
January 22, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Just announced: "Take Back Tomorrow", a London Futurists webinar on 31st Jan, exploring the timely bold new "The Bad Future" initiative of @futuristgerd.com. Liselotte Lyngsø will be providing real-time feedback. For more details and to register see www.meetup.com/london-futur...
In a time of rapid political, technological, and healthcare changes, is the outlook for the FDA in 2026 likely to be amazing (Wow!) or unexpectedly painful (Yeow!)? This free webinar features assessments and forecasts from a wide range of expert panellists www.eventbrite.com/e/fda-wow-or...
January 22, 2026 at 10:46 AM
In a time of rapid political, technological, and healthcare changes, is the outlook for the FDA in 2026 likely to be amazing (Wow!) or unexpectedly painful (Yeow!)? This free webinar features assessments and forecasts from a wide range of expert panellists www.eventbrite.com/e/fda-wow-or...
A landmark passed today: Membership of London Futurists has edged past 10,000
See also the listing of the world's "Largest futurology groups" on meetup, www.meetup.com/topics/future/
See also the listing of the world's "Largest futurology groups" on meetup, www.meetup.com/topics/future/
January 17, 2026 at 6:56 PM
A landmark passed today: Membership of London Futurists has edged past 10,000
See also the listing of the world's "Largest futurology groups" on meetup, www.meetup.com/topics/future/
See also the listing of the world's "Largest futurology groups" on meetup, www.meetup.com/topics/future/
My thanks to James of Ârc for leading me through this eclectic conversation with many surprise digressions - all building the case for the credibility and moral imperative of abolishing aging. How? Via engaged, liberated, agile communities and the wise use of safe scientist AI.
January 17, 2026 at 10:01 AM
My thanks to James of Ârc for leading me through this eclectic conversation with many surprise digressions - all building the case for the credibility and moral imperative of abolishing aging. How? Via engaged, liberated, agile communities and the wise use of safe scientist AI.
As AI systems become more capable and more widely deployed, what are the human principles and practices that it will be especially important for us to retain and uphold, and not to surrender to AIs?
January 16, 2026 at 8:54 PM
As AI systems become more capable and more widely deployed, what are the human principles and practices that it will be especially important for us to retain and uphold, and not to surrender to AIs?
"Three slides and two videos" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists:
1) A world laden with contrasting possibilities;
2) Discord Debrief;
3) Two videos from Professor Bruce Lloyd;
4) Plans for a larger in-person gathering.
Read it at londonfuturists.com/2026/01/15/t...
1) A world laden with contrasting possibilities;
2) Discord Debrief;
3) Two videos from Professor Bruce Lloyd;
4) Plans for a larger in-person gathering.
Read it at londonfuturists.com/2026/01/15/t...
January 15, 2026 at 5:14 PM
"Three slides and two videos" - the latest newsletter from London Futurists:
1) A world laden with contrasting possibilities;
2) Discord Debrief;
3) Two videos from Professor Bruce Lloyd;
4) Plans for a larger in-person gathering.
Read it at londonfuturists.com/2026/01/15/t...
1) A world laden with contrasting possibilities;
2) Discord Debrief;
3) Two videos from Professor Bruce Lloyd;
4) Plans for a larger in-person gathering.
Read it at londonfuturists.com/2026/01/15/t...
"From forecasts to levers" - the latest from London Futurists:
1) "44 facts to start the year with optimism"
2) Beyond naïve optimism
3) How can better foresight actually improve the world?
4) Podcast: Anticipating 2026
5) Progress at LEVF
(continued)
1) "44 facts to start the year with optimism"
2) Beyond naïve optimism
3) How can better foresight actually improve the world?
4) Podcast: Anticipating 2026
5) Progress at LEVF
(continued)
January 8, 2026 at 1:19 AM
"From forecasts to levers" - the latest from London Futurists:
1) "44 facts to start the year with optimism"
2) Beyond naïve optimism
3) How can better foresight actually improve the world?
4) Podcast: Anticipating 2026
5) Progress at LEVF
(continued)
1) "44 facts to start the year with optimism"
2) Beyond naïve optimism
3) How can better foresight actually improve the world?
4) Podcast: Anticipating 2026
5) Progress at LEVF
(continued)
Just published: a 368 page volume of essays, "Technologies of the Future Self: An Ethics for Transhuman Flourishing". It includes a chapter by yours truly, "Human Flourishing Requires Transhumanist Flourishing"
January 7, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Just published: a 368 page volume of essays, "Technologies of the Future Self: An Ethics for Transhuman Flourishing". It includes a chapter by yours truly, "Human Flourishing Requires Transhumanist Flourishing"
Anticipated in 2026: AI models keep on improving (there's no "silicon ceiling" in sight); AI agents in wider use; AI models power new waves of cyber attacks; many more people experience status dissonance due to: the pace of change, AI-generated misinformation, and loss of jobs...
January 7, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Anticipated in 2026: AI models keep on improving (there's no "silicon ceiling" in sight); AI agents in wider use; AI models power new waves of cyber attacks; many more people experience status dissonance due to: the pace of change, AI-generated misinformation, and loss of jobs...
Futurists and other practitioners of foresight have often created impressive-looking reports - which have frequently *failed* to bring about meaningful improvements in the worlds of economics and politics. What's gone wrong? What's been lacking?
January 2, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Futurists and other practitioners of foresight have often created impressive-looking reports - which have frequently *failed* to bring about meaningful improvements in the worlds of economics and politics. What's gone wrong? What's been lacking?
My Christmas Eve message, 2025:
Use it or lose it!
Use our freedom to rise above distractions, whilst there's still a chance to alter outcomes.
So, let's make wise choices in 2026 - lest our freedoms shrink, and we no longer have options for meaningful choices from 2027 onward.
Use it or lose it!
Use our freedom to rise above distractions, whilst there's still a chance to alter outcomes.
So, let's make wise choices in 2026 - lest our freedoms shrink, and we no longer have options for meaningful choices from 2027 onward.
December 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
My Christmas Eve message, 2025:
Use it or lose it!
Use our freedom to rise above distractions, whilst there's still a chance to alter outcomes.
So, let's make wise choices in 2026 - lest our freedoms shrink, and we no longer have options for meaningful choices from 2027 onward.
Use it or lose it!
Use our freedom to rise above distractions, whilst there's still a chance to alter outcomes.
So, let's make wise choices in 2026 - lest our freedoms shrink, and we no longer have options for meaningful choices from 2027 onward.
And here's the coda at the end of the coda - with the image originally included in dw2blog.com/2025/04/06/c...
December 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
And here's the coda at the end of the coda - with the image originally included in dw2blog.com/2025/04/06/c...