NEXT Innovation Scholars forum shares a glimpse into the future

Attendees left the prestigious event with insights into the paradox of choice, forces of nature and extreme weather, our evolving relationship with food and the energy arms race.

UC’s NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) is a cohort-based, transdisciplinary educational program centered on design thinking and future-focused innovation. The highly selective program empowers students to apply innovation tools and mindsets across industries, audiences and partner goals by transcending traditional boundaries of a specific discipline or college.

Research into today’s macro-trends, leading change indicators and potential implications over time serve as top priorities for NIS students – and businesspeople as they strategize about the next generations and the world to come. Here are some insights and projections of potential future drivers shared at the 2025 NIS Futures Forum:

The race for relevance in an alternative energy-focused world is leading to groundbreaking tech and energy innovation.

According to thought leaders at the NIS Futures Forum, energy is likely to become the new oil. Rapid technological advances could drive a demand for power that today’s resources and infrastructure are incapable of meeting, potentially stunting future innovation.

A race for energy supremacy may commence due to the resource’s utmost importance, leading to a fast-paced search for new sources in the ocean, air and space. It remains to be seen whether innovators collaborate in the pursuit of new energy reservoirs or engage in intense, competitive rivalries.

• Localized power grids are gaining momentum
• Nontraditional firms have entered the industry
• Wind energy is growing exponentially
• Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained prominence but still generate emissions
• Utilities now fuel both AI systems and EVs

Energy has transformed into a pivotal resource for global powers and big businesses, and that trend is likely to continue. A feverish race to increase energy production, discover new sources and upgrade power grids is expected to lead to a spike in energy innovation and competition.

Boundaries of what food can be and its role in our lives are being challenged as lifestyles evolve.

NIS students envision a future where “Food is no longer simply a source of nutrition, but now a multifaceted pursuit of pleasure, health and purpose.” In other words, our personal eating habits may begin reflecting our identities, values and sense of responsibility for Earth’s future.

What humans consider edible could transform as the world rediscovers ancient microorganisms while embracing new concepts such as lab-grown meats. Supply chain constraints, ethical concerns and ownership over Earth’s changing environment may lead to more thoughtful – possibly even radical – choices regarding what to consume.

• Meatless diets are gaining popularity
• Function has taken precedence over flavor
• Algae is becoming a viable nutrient source
• Social media has launched culinary tourism

Dietary choices may converge with personal values to become a significant piece of each person’s identity. Ethical considerations about environmental sustainability and new methods of developing food could also play roles in what each person consumes.

Unpredictable and extreme weather is forcing people to reexamine how and where to live.

Humans could face progressively more unpredictable weather patterns and extreme storms – and start making life choices based on that. NIS students predict a greater number of “climate refugees,” people relocating to escape areas constantly battered by severe weather.

Those who remain in vulnerable states such as Florida, Texas, California and Louisiana may face challenges securing and insuring their properties. It could become financially and emotionally difficult for residents of high-risk states to survive in places on the typical path of extreme weather.

• A town in Florida specifically designed for climate resilience
• Zillow added climate risk to real estate listings
• The rise in severe weather events linked to surge in mental health challenges
• Instances and severity of climate displacement are on the rise

A turbulent environment is probable over the next few decades, leading people to factor Mother Nature’s power into critical life decisions. That may cause people to leave the Sunbelt and coastal areas as they seek cooler temperatures and more stable weather inland in places like the Midwest.

Society’s relationship with information and universal truths is shifting, redefining societal norms and expectations.

• The rise of digital echo chambers
• Social media becoming the most prominent news source
• Internet queries and summarized tutorials inflating perceived knowledge
• Algorithms mirroring the viewpoints and preferences of the user
• Search and reference replacing lived experience and expertise

Society will ultimately need to grapple with a world where each person considers their individual beliefs to be truths. As the media landscape continues to fragment and echo chambers gain influence, this issue is poised to become one of the most pressing challenges over the coming years.

NIS students also investigated unique insights into Gen Z’s priorities and values – perspectives that transcend what’s already known. Below are a few thoughts about what’s resonating with Gen Z:

• In the news: A wide range of strong opinions on social, political and environmental issues
• Work: Flexibility and values alignment matter – especially remote and hybrid roles
• Shopping: Instant product benefits often overshadow long-term benefits
• Technology: A supplement but not a replacement in professional and academic lives
• Information: AI tools are surpassing Google searches, with initial trust levels high
• Attention: Strong preference for skimmable, short-form articles

Gen Z shows an overwhelming desire to leverage technology for efficiency and to simplify processes. They’re also highly opinionated, though far from aligned on how to approach today’s most pressing issues. NIS students suggest that businesses approach the younger generation by transparently promoting strong values in concise, witty ways.

Featured image at top: Attendees at NIS Futures Forum 2025. Photo/Stephen Kenney