Futurist Amy Webb presented her definition of Generation T during her panel at South by Southwest 2024 (SXSW). On the occasion, the researcher outlined her annual report on tech trends at the festival. For the American researcher and professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, instead of adopting the acclaimed division between generations X, Y and Z, humanity needs to understand itself as a single generation, which is connected by the strong technological transformation it is (and will continue to) face.

“Collectively, we are all going through something important right now, which makes us Generation T. We are the transition generation. Everyone alive today, every one of you, is part of a major transition, which means that our society will be very different when that transition is complete,” explained Webb.

According to her, people have much more control over their own future than they realize, and he is betting on the collective if humanity is to make it through this transition. Analyzing long-term trends and profound transformations are more important than just looking to understand what is “in fashion”. The futurist advises governments to work on a transition plan that assesses how the technological supercycle will affect countries’ GDP, companies and jobs. It is necessary to design a “soft landing” scenario that favors the training of people and companies for new jobs and new activities.

Webb also warned of the risk of concentrating technological power in the hands of a few companies, which promise to save the world with the technologies they control. “We don’t need to be saved by technological messiahs. We need a better plan for the future,” she said, signaling the urgency of the moment and the need to work together.

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Source: SXSW 2024 | CNN Brasil