There is a lot of naysaying when it comes to talking about the future. Plenty of doom and gloom. While there are of course a number of areas of very serious concern, in this article I want to paint a brighter picture. We are almost a quarter of the way through this century, and the advancements are coming at an incredible rate. All of which begs the question: Where will the world be 100 years from now? What will life be like in 2124?
That’s a big enough topic for several books, so in this article I’ll focus on a few key areas and make some tentative predictions. I’ll look at economy and business, the places people will live,
food production and distribution, space exploration, and the countries best placed to embrace this future.
Let’s dive in.
Economy and business
It seems clear that the digital economy will continue to grow, with cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and NFTs becoming integral to our financial ecosystems. This transformation offers countries in the GCC region an opportunity to become global leaders, enhancing financial services and broadening financial inclusivity. We have already seen early adoption of these technologies, with GCC governments looking at ways to decentralise finance and actively seeking to draw cryptocurrency enterprises to the region.
In recent years, several regional Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) have also made bold moves in acquiring stakes in major global financial institutions. In 2022, out of approximately 60 major transactions, Gulf SWFs were responsible for 25, with many of them in banking and finance. With a growing financial sector continually disrupted by digitalisation, the GCC is in a strong position to become a major player in finance and fintech.
As for the job market, my view is that it will be characterised by flexibility, innovation, and adaptability. In other words, what we are already seeing today but to a much higher degree. Automation and AI will transform traditional employment sectors, giving rise to new professions and industries – some of which we can’t even imagine today. In the UAE and wider GCC, we can anticipate a surge in green jobs, particularly in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors, as countries transition to greener economies and move away from oil dependency.
Whatever the outcome, let’s hope that technology democratises access to investment and financial services and provides a more equitable distribution of wealth.
Will your company be around in 100 years?
You won’t be running it, but it’s an interesting thought for the entrepreneur to ask whether their company is in it for the long haul. According to Fast Company, ‘Building a 100-year-old company is an everyday action.’ In other words, everything you do with your current business – innovating, building company culture, ensuring you always remain customer-focused – gives it the best chance of being around in 100 years.
In this sense, looking back over the last 100 years of business can help inform us for the next 100. Numerous century-old companies remain influential today: Ford, General Electric, AT&T – the list goes on. Coca-Cola, for example, was established in 1886 and continues to adapt, diversifying into new products, maintaining its status among the world’s top brands. JPMorgan Chase, also over a century old, is still a key player in finance, adapting to the evolving needs for financial transactions.
The places people will live
According to one futurist, in 100 years the global population will stabilise at 11 billion, with 90% of people living in cities. To accommodate these kinds of numbers, city skylines may be vertiginous, up to 100 floors high. Or they may be extremely long – NEOM in Saudi Arabia is already giving us a futuristic vision, encompassing a vast area stretching from the country’s borders with Jordan and Egypt.
Driven by its commitment to innovation, Dubai aims to transform into the globe’s smartest city, supported by major initiatives such as Smart Dubai 2021, the Dubai Data Strategy, Dubai 10X, the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, and the Dubai Pulse Platform. Meanwhile,
To take it a few steps further, space colonisation could transition from theory to reality, and underwater living could become more than a novelty. Regardless of the location, homes will likely be more adaptable, eco-friendly, and integrated with nature, reflecting a century of progress in technology, environmental stewardship, and urban planning.
Food supplies and distribution
Technological advancements will revolutionise our food systems, making them more resilient, sustainable, and equitable. Precision agriculture, powered by AI, IoT and robotics, will significantly increase yields while reducing environmental footprints. Vertical farming, already taking root in urban centres worldwide, could become mainstream, ensuring fresh produce and protein sources are available even in arid environments. These innovations will be particularly transformative in the GCC, enhancing food security and reducing reliance on imports.
Meanwhile, drones and autonomous vehicles – already being trialled in the UAE – will streamline food distribution, ensuring efficiency and reducing waste.
Space exploration
Space exploration used to be the sole concern of NASA and the Russian Space Agency. Things have changed dramatically, and this trend is likely to continue. While Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are at the forefront of the private space exploration sector, several other players are now very much involved.
In October 2021, the UAE Space Agency unveiled plans for an Emirati venture scheduled for 2028, designed to circle Venus and investigate the asteroid region separating Mars and Jupiter. The endeavour is intended to advance the UAE’s space engineering and exploration capabilities.
The best countries in 100 years’ time
It seems clear that the countries that will be in the best place in 100 years are those that plan. Muddling along with no clear direction is no longer an option.
In the UAE, a glance at future plans – the UAE Centennial 2071 – helps us understand what life might be like even further in the future. Specific investments focusing on technology and AI will help provide future generations with the tools they need to continue to build the country’s future, whether that’s digital or physical infrastructure or sustainable development.
So, in 100 years’ time, net zero will hopefully have been in place for at least 50 years. There will be huge changes in people’s way of life – the UAE aims to make itself a place where all essential services can be accessed on foot, and there is increased greenery cooling the city, along with many vertical garden areas. The idea of desert greening is very much on the cards according to many futurists, transforming arid regions into green landscapes. This will also promote food security by making barren lands productive.
The most successful countries will be those excelling in sustainable development, technological innovation and social equality. Strong governance, adaptive education systems and robust healthcare will be key, alongside maintaining peace, stability and a vibrant cultural heritage.
Conclusion
As technology continues to advance, we are likely to see a more interconnected and resilient world. The future holds promise for significant advancements in how we work, eat, create, and collaborate. With their visionary leadership and commitment to innovation, the UAE and wider GCC are well-positioned to lead these transformations, setting a global benchmark for a future that is not only technologically advanced but also sustainable and inclusive.
