By embedding AI and automation into our scanning and analysis processes we can:
reduce manual inputs
speed up our summarising & synthesising to start from a higher base
amplify our capacity to detect emerging patterns
This represents a shift toward a more resilient and anticipatory horizon scanning approach, aligning our methods with the pace and complexity of the environments we’re tracking.
By embedding AI and automation into our scanning and analysis processes we can:
reduce manual inputs
speed up our summarising & synthesising to start from a higher base
amplify our capacity to detect emerging patterns
This represents a shift toward a more resilient and anticipatory horizon scanning approach, aligning our methods with the pace and complexity of the environments we’re tracking.
This is an example of the overall scan database which links through to multiple other database sheets. It looks complicated but building it over time and using filtered views means that at each stage, you're only looking at a few variables or dealing with a few AI agents.
This is an example of the overall scan database which links through to multiple other database sheets. It looks complicated but building it over time and using filtered views means that at each stage, you're only looking at a few variables or dealing with a few AI agents.
Warning
You can obviously run some basic AI workflows easily at a small cost but running multiple multi-agentic AI workflows like the ones demonstrated further down in this database become expensive when used over hundreds of scans. Airtable is an easy platform to test the usefulness, but the next step would be to build out multi-agentic search + synthesis workflows in a multi-agent platform. Airtable is not a cost effective platform for this level of AI workflows over the longerterm.
Warning
You can obviously run some basic AI workflows easily at a small cost but running multiple multi-agentic AI workflows like the ones demonstrated further down in this database become expensive when used over hundreds of scans. Airtable is an easy platform to test the usefulness, but the next step would be to build out multi-agentic search + synthesis workflows in a multi-agent platform. Airtable is not a cost effective platform for this level of AI workflows over the longerterm.
Approx 500 Tags with (AI) headline description.
Approx 500 Tags with (AI) headline description.
Note
Each TAG belongs to a CATEGORY which serves two purposes:
It enables useable and useful data pulls eg. AI Governance in China or Education in Spain
The CATEGORY description together with the TAG and Tag Headline provides further context for AI prompting and suggestions.
Note
Each TAG belongs to a CATEGORY which serves two purposes:
It enables useable and useful data pulls eg. AI Governance in China or Education in Spain
The CATEGORY description together with the TAG and Tag Headline provides further context for AI prompting and suggestions.
Scan Tags rollup into Categories - AI Prompted (+ Human Review over time)
Scan Tags rollup into Categories - AI Prompted (+ Human Review over time)
The CATEGORY database is a rollup of each TAG to enable easy searching and AI context.
The CATEGORY database is a rollup of each TAG to enable easy searching and AI context.
The SDG database connects with the main scan database and includes the description off the website - providing context for AI to later auto-suggest.
The SDG database connects with the main scan database and includes the description off the website - providing context for AI to later auto-suggest.
Scan Tags are linked to SDGs which provide through an automation which reads the references in both and auto-suggests.
(Tag Context > Tag Headline + Category Tag)
(SDG Context > SDG Headline + Description)
Scan Tags are linked to SDGs which provide through an automation which reads the references in both and auto-suggests.
(Tag Context > Tag Headline + Category Tag)
(SDG Context > SDG Headline + Description)
The Signature Solutions + Enablers have been broken up into their own database - broken down to a granular level of the topics of areas of focus contained within the SS+E solutions to enable AI to reference more detailed context for more accurate auto-suggest.
The Signature Solutions + Enablers have been broken up into their own database - broken down to a granular level of the topics of areas of focus contained within the SS+E solutions to enable AI to reference more detailed context for more accurate auto-suggest.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
Fracture zones are early warning signs of strain within systems—places where established structures, norms, or assumptions begin to falter under pressure. In horizon scanning, they help reveal where the old is breaking down in response to emerging tensions, misalignments, or contradictions. While they might appear first as subtle glitches—policy blind spots, ethical mismatches, or infrastructure stress—they often signal deeper systemic shifts that, if left unaddressed, can catalyze transformation or collapse. Recognizing fracture zones allows us to distinguish passing noise from foundational disruption, preparing us to act before crises unfold.
3 Key Take-aways:
Fracture Zones Reveal Systemic Stress Before Rupture
Look for cracks in the system—gaps between intention and action, unresolved tensions, or misfits between old logics and new realities. These are often weak signals that foreshadow larger breakdowns or transitions.They Anchor Scanning in the Real World
Fracture zones ground speculative futures in observable strain—like policy lagging behind technology, or infrastructure failing under climate pressure—helping foresight stay connected to lived, urgent realities.They Pair with Ethical Transition Levers
Use fracture zones to diagnose where change is inevitable, and ethical levers to shape how that change unfolds. Together, they support anticipatory governance that’s both strategic and values-led.
Fracture zones are early warning signs of strain within systems—places where established structures, norms, or assumptions begin to falter under pressure. In horizon scanning, they help reveal where the old is breaking down in response to emerging tensions, misalignments, or contradictions. While they might appear first as subtle glitches—policy blind spots, ethical mismatches, or infrastructure stress—they often signal deeper systemic shifts that, if left unaddressed, can catalyze transformation or collapse. Recognizing fracture zones allows us to distinguish passing noise from foundational disruption, preparing us to act before crises unfold.
3 Key Take-aways:
Fracture Zones Reveal Systemic Stress Before Rupture
Look for cracks in the system—gaps between intention and action, unresolved tensions, or misfits between old logics and new realities. These are often weak signals that foreshadow larger breakdowns or transitions.They Anchor Scanning in the Real World
Fracture zones ground speculative futures in observable strain—like policy lagging behind technology, or infrastructure failing under climate pressure—helping foresight stay connected to lived, urgent realities.They Pair with Ethical Transition Levers
Use fracture zones to diagnose where change is inevitable, and ethical levers to shape how that change unfolds. Together, they support anticipatory governance that’s both strategic and values-led.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
In the context of futures work, diffractive zones are the spaces where multiple forces, narratives, or knowledge systems overlap, interfere, and create new patterns of meaning. The term borrows from physics (diffraction: the bending/interference of waves when they encounter an obstacle) and feminist/new materialist theory (especially Karen Barad’s work), where it signifies thinking through difference, not separation.
When applied to horizon scanning, diffractive zones are the messy, liminal spaces where the new starts to take shape—not in isolation, but through interaction. These zones are often where the most disruptive or overlooked signals emerge, because they don’t sit neatly within a single category or discipline. Instead, they ripple across boundaries.
In the context of futures work, diffractive zones are the spaces where multiple forces, narratives, or knowledge systems overlap, interfere, and create new patterns of meaning. The term borrows from physics (diffraction: the bending/interference of waves when they encounter an obstacle) and feminist/new materialist theory (especially Karen Barad’s work), where it signifies thinking through difference, not separation.
When applied to horizon scanning, diffractive zones are the messy, liminal spaces where the new starts to take shape—not in isolation, but through interaction. These zones are often where the most disruptive or overlooked signals emerge, because they don’t sit neatly within a single category or discipline. Instead, they ripple across boundaries.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
Beta
These are experimental classifications for deeper context but in experimental stage only.
Ethical transition levers are points of intentional influence that help shape emerging change toward more just, inclusive, and sustainable futures. In scanning, they act as tools for intervention—especially in diffractive zones where new systems and meanings are forming but values may be in flux. These levers shift foresight from passive observation to active stewardship, asking not just what is happening, but what should happen—and for whom?
Ethical transition levers are points of intentional influence that help shape emerging change toward more just, inclusive, and sustainable futures. In scanning, they act as tools for intervention—especially in diffractive zones where new systems and meanings are forming but values may be in flux. These levers shift foresight from passive observation to active stewardship, asking not just what is happening, but what should happen—and for whom?
They Expose the Ethics Beneath Emerging Systems
Ethical levers help you detect hidden value conflicts—efficiency vs equity, security vs agency—and name the tensions shaping new infrastructures, technologies, and governance models.
They Turn Signals Into Strategic Interventions
After identifying a signal, ask: What’s the ethical dilemma here? Then surface levers—like new norms, design principles, or governance shifts—that could nudge the system in a preferred direction.They Ground Futures in Accountability
Ethical levers remind us that futures aren’t neutral. Use tools like CLA, 3H, or Actor-Network Theory to trace where ethical action is possible—and necessary—to ensure transitions reflect plural, inclusive values.
They Expose the Ethics Beneath Emerging Systems
Ethical levers help you detect hidden value conflicts—efficiency vs equity, security vs agency—and name the tensions shaping new infrastructures, technologies, and governance models.
They Turn Signals Into Strategic Interventions
After identifying a signal, ask: What’s the ethical dilemma here? Then surface levers—like new norms, design principles, or governance shifts—that could nudge the system in a preferred direction.They Ground Futures in Accountability
Ethical levers remind us that futures aren’t neutral. Use tools like CLA, 3H, or Actor-Network Theory to trace where ethical action is possible—and necessary—to ensure transitions reflect plural, inclusive values.
Rolls up to Regions
AI-generated - Capital City + Location Co-ordinates for Scan Map Coverage Check
Rolls up to Regions
AI-generated - Capital City + Location Co-ordinates for Scan Map Coverage Check
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Last updated on
Dec
4,
2024
Last updated on
Dec
4,
2024