Exploring the future of humankind with Al pioneers, innovators and changemakers

At Mastercard, we are at the forefront of shaping the future. That’s why we were proud to be an official partner of The Futurists X Summit, a definitive global forum for AI-based policy solutions and future-proof breakthroughs that took place this October in Dubai. Together with our partners, The Futurists and EmiratesNBD, we gathered a constellation of voices rarely seen on one stage, including more than half of the world’s top 50-ranked futurists, to show us the direction in which our world is heading.

From policymakers and global business leaders to innovators, scientists and even astronauts, everyone contributed their diverse perspectives to help us answer one of the most pressing questions of our time: How can policy and governance keep pace with rapid technological innovation? We had several of our global and regional leaders speaking at the event. 

Raja Rajamannar, our quantum marketing guru, examined how today’s exponential rise in tech layers – from IoT to AI and quantum – is redefining the way brands think about engagement. His thought-provoking session got me imagining a world where AI knows what we need before we do. 

Ken Moore, our chief innovation officer, shared our playbook on innovation velocity, which was directly relevant to the central theme of the summit – the innovation-policy gap. 

Johan Gerber, our cybersecurity expert, took a look at what could happen on Q-Day – the moment when quantum computing becomes commercially viable and unleashes its disruptive powers. 

Prakriti Singh, executive vice president of Core Payments for EEMEA, provided her insights on what stablecoins could mean for the future of digital commerce.

I was thrilled when I was asked to participate in a panel discussion on technosocialism vs. technofeudalism. Together with my fellow panelists, we discussed whether AI-driven capitalism can close inequality gaps or deepen divides. We all agreed that AI has immense potential to be harnessed as a force for good, but the outcome depends on the intentions of the people who hold the reins.  

I also got to moderate a fireside chat with Massimo Buonomo, an award-winning futurist and head of AI policy at the European Commission. With his rare blend of expertise across technology, finance and regulation, he offered an in-depth look at how governments can use digital innovation to build a brighter future for everyone.

The Futurists was so much more than a conference – it was a gathering for policy adaptation and breakthrough thinking. It was fascinating to hear how some of the world’s brightest minds envision the future of humankind.