The Future of Purpose
When the possibilities are endless, what should we do?
Throughout human history, technology has been a driver of change. From the agricultural revolution to the Industrial Revolution and now the digital age, each major technological shift has not only changed how we work, it’s changed our aspirations and even our very identity.
In this provocative and optimistic keynote, futurist Simon Waller takes audiences on a journey through humanity’s relationship with technology to help us understand what is happening now and what might happen next. As technology once again transforms human capability, The Future of Purpose explores why people and organisations driven to make a meaningful difference in the world are more important than ever.
What it covers
Your audience will leave with a new perspective on humanity’s relationship with technology, a more optimistic view of AI, and a deeper appreciation of the role purpose needs to play in shaping our collective future.
Audience
This keynote is for people and organisations driven to make a meaningful difference in the world. It has broad appeal across not-for-profits, associations, government and purpose-driven businesses, as well as leaders navigating a rapidly changing world.
Timing (when in the program)
Perfect as a reflective closing keynote, an end-of-day conversation shaper, or perhaps best of all, held around an open fire as the day is setting.
Structure
Part 1 — We scale what matters
- Technology doesn’t just change what we do; it changes us.
- Agriculture scaled sustenance → we became makers.
- Industry scaled making → we became thinkers.
- AI scales thinking and ideas** → what happens next?
Part 2 — AI creates a new scarcity
- More thinking creates an endless stream of ideas and possibilities.
- Endless possibility creates overwhelm, distraction and dissipation.
- We are creating a new bottleneck — and a new need.
- The critical question shifts from What could we do?” to “What should we do?”
- Purpose tells us what matters — what actually deserves our attention, commitment and resources.
- If AI can scale thinking, how do we scale purpose?
Part 3 — Scaling purpose
- Before technology scales something, humans create systems to scale it ourselves.
- To turn individual dreams into purpose lead change we need resources, organisation and leadership
- To overcome overwhelm,distraction and dissipation we need shared understanding → collective direction → aligned action.
- The last opportunity was to scale thinking. The next opportunity is to scale our capacity to dream together.
work with simon
If you’re considering Simon for an upcoming event the first step is to check his availability (you can do that by filling out the form below or contacting 1300 66 55 85 (within Australia).
Assuming your preferred dates are available we can arrange a call with Simon over your video-conferencing platform of choice to discuss your requirements.
Some of Simon's other topics
The Future of Purpose
The Art of Future Thinking
Beyond the AI Hype
Can technology make us more human
The Science of Decisions
