Adaptability, curiosity and creativity. These three traits have defined humanity for millennia. They have fuelled great technological leaps, from groundbreaking inventions such as the printing press and the telegraph, to life-changing discoveries such as antibiotics and awe-inspiring achievements such as space travel.
Today, technology has become deeply ingrained in our lives, and by 2030 humans will rely even more on it. But are our values changing to suit new societal frameworks shaped by technology at a speed to match? And will the defining characteristics of humanity be different by the end of the decade?
I think not. Rather, the things that make humans human will persist, even as society evolves in the face of advancing technology and challenges around climate, health and the economy. This is the central premise of the upcoming Dubai Future Forum, which is set to host the world’s largest gathering of futurists on October 11-12 at the Museum of the Future.
Set against this era of rapid transformational change, marked by unprecedented environmental degradation and socioeconomic disruption, the Future Forum will make the case that our ability to adapt, question, innovate and create has never been more important.
As people, governments and as a global community, we must remember this in the coming decades when we are faced with tough questions about ourselves, our place on this planet and perhaps beyond.
The things that make humans human will persist
These questions will stem from advancements across every sphere. For instance, as robotics progresses and sentient artificial intelligence becomes a real possibility, we must consider new ethical perspectives. If we are going to co-exist with beings and consciousnesses that we have created and are responsible for, we will need to re-assess our values.
Health is a particularly important space when it comes to humanity’s perception of itself. Our approach to it is already changing as mental well-being comes to the fore. But more drastic developments such as genetic mapping and modification raise significant ethical questions around disease eradication, longevity and the concept of "designer babies", where parents might one day choose genetic features of their children.
Then there is the future of jobs. There is no question that advanced technologies make organisations greener, more efficient and more productive. But without taking proper action now to upskill workforces, organisations and countries risk a skills chasm that could stall whole sectors. There is also the issue of potential human obsolescence to consider when we think about AI’s expanding role in the labour market.
Whether we like it or not, our future is being shaped by the technologies we are pioneering today. Most people would agree that technological advancement is necessary for humanity’s progression. Indeed, it is essential to our survival in terms of climate and resource-shortage problems.
As the Fourth Industrial Revolution marches on, we are presented with a fine balancing act, and humanity caught in the middle. We – governments, organisations and individuals – must be ready to adapt to a world that we have shaped, yet, paradoxically, have less and less control over. We must revisit our moral codes and ideals. Only then can we overcome the challenges before us and drive positive, sustainable human development.
But to do this, we require an open dialogue between societies around the world. Deliberating, discussing and determining in silos is not the optimal approach to ensuring humanity can thrive in tomorrow’s world. Collaboration and knowledge sharing – two things that have historically driven our evolution and progression – are critical.
And while it is people who are responsible for discussing and forging the values they live by, it largely falls on governments to facilitate constructive and actionable exchanges between peoples.
Dubai’s government has taken the lead in enabling and supporting these important citizen-led discussions. By building the Museum of the Future and through hosting events such as the Future Forum, Dubai is positioning itself as a platform for debate and collaboration.
With some of the earliest evidence of humans discovered on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is a fitting place for humanity to explore its challenges, its opportunities and its future. When we welcome 400 futurists next week, we aim to drive discussions on shaping the next four decades, as well as explore the shifts in our social and value systems in the face of emerging technologies.
These discussions will undoubtedly help us to leverage technology to address challenges around fragile ecosystems, global food security, inequalities, supply chains and increasingly extreme weather events. But they will ultimately underline the importance of humanity’s innate traits in overcoming our shared challenges and hopefully transforming them into opportunities.
In the future, regardless of the changes we experience and introduce, it will be our core attributes that have served us for so long that will enable course corrections. It is our characteristics of adaptability, curiosity, creativity and problem solving, combined with our ability to dream big and apply foresight that will help us to build the foundations for a brighter tomorrow.
While we might adopt new social and value systems, it is these core qualities that continue to define what it means to be human as the world around us is transformed.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Copa del Rey final
Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
bundesliga results
Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')
Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
More from Aya Iskandarani
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Mamia Al Reef, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m
Winner: Jaahiz, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m
Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.
54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
