I’m not sure if this is just my observation, but it feels like, in recent years, we have witnessed almost everything that can go wrong in our communities and society at large. The challenges we have faced may be only the beginning of the end (the end of era?). It’s no coincidence we hear alarming words about climate disaster, the rise of right-wing propaganda (and, for balance, all kinds of propaganda), hate, and polarization screaming from our digital devices. You name it. I don’t want to point fingers here. Every challenge we encounter is a complex construct, a small snowball that, at some point, grows so large there’s no way to stop it. There have been many snowballs, and what struck me most was the prevalence of linear thinking.
We live in a world where the science fiction visions of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and 1984 by George Orwell have shifted from speculative fiction to a kind of documentary reality. Surveillance, manipulation, and engineered societies are no longer confined to novels. They are part of our lived experience.
At the same time, compassionate and empathetic dialogue has become increasingly rare in our media landscape and in our lives in general. Conversations are often dominated by outrage and division rather than understanding and connection. The space for nuance, listening, and genuine human empathy seems to be shrinking.
Before you call me nuts, bear with me. I promise I have a point. Linear thinking – the tendency to expect that change will progress in a straight, predictable line – has become a trap for many of us. Linear thinking assumes that cause and effect are directly proportional and that today’s trends will simply continue tomorrow, unchallenged. But the world rarely works this way.
In their article, “Linear Thinking in a Nonlinear World,” published in Harvard Business Review, Bart De Langhe, Stefano Puntoni, and Richard Larrick write:
“The obvious choice is often wrong.”
We have failed to recognize that linearity can lead to wasted resources, misguided policies, and missed opportunities for transformative change. Conversely, when we map out relationships, use data visualization, and design experiments that reveal how change really happens, we discover the leverage points that matter most for progress.
As we envision the future of humanity: across AI, climate, economics, and society, understanding nonlinear patterns is essential. Our collective future will not unfold as a simple straight line; it will be shaped by feedback loops, thresholds, and exponential shifts. By moving beyond linear bias, we open ourselves to smarter decisions, more ethical leadership, and creative solutions that can tip the scales toward a flourishing future for all.
The question is: How can we make this happen?
Creativity and expansive thinking may be among the solutions. We all need to allow ourselves to live from our creative core and use creativity boldly in every decision. Expansive thinking brings together diverse perspectives and allows us to see beyond what is given, exploring “what ifs”, “why nots” and “what fors”on a completely different level. This is one of the principles we use in co-creating the Future of Humanity at Basel 2025. Join us in Basel in June!
The Future of Humanity Experience explores how technology is reshaping the human experience by blending digital and physical artworks from global artists into a tangible vision of the future. The experience highlights the potential for human enhancement, where the organic and synthetic not only complement one another but sometimes merge, illustrating how humanity can transcend its current boundaries.
In 2025, we will focus on how the future of prosperity, exploration, pleasure, technology, letting go, collaboration, and consciousness will redefine our collective path. Uniting cutting-edge art with participatory dialogue and immersive experiences, the Future of Humanity Experience invites all generations to imagine, and help shape, a future grounded in responsibility, empathy, and innovation.
We are immensely grateful to artists and speakers from around the world for joining us on this quest to reimagine different ways to co-create. Because the future, in the end, is what we all create together.
Meet our CoCreators
Ksenia Friesen Diego Castro Solange (Murièle Solange Bolay) Paul Boudrye Andy Corbley Aylin Polatli Andrea Falcon Maritsa Kissamitaki Yves Dominic Lüthi Yariv Adan Indranil Mukherjee Amit A. Sidhpura Cynthia Fleischmann Sabrina Bühlmann aka Replicah (Artist Name) John Rainford FRSA FTLS Robert LoBue Karine Sargsyan, MD Farah Allen Carol Constant Alexander Lingle Anna Lytvynova Bernard Foing Federico Ciacci Obinna Okerekeocha Dr. Sara Tröster Klemm
Meet our Featured Artists
Michael Ricciardi Jelena Cvijic Samantha Tauber (FRSA) Alexander Lingle Dr. Vasundhara(Vasu) Tolia Ying Jingjing Jo-Ann Rolle, Ph.d. Rex Dixon Federico Ciacci Roger Gribben Sarah Lynn D. AYSE BASAK CINAR Paolo Gambi Cassondra De Silva / Cat Atom, Manoj Zinzuwadia Karina Abramova Sarah Hodsdon Alina Gishyan John Rainford FRSA FTLS Anna Dogadkina Ksenia Slavcheva Diego Castro Obinna Okerekeocha Barbara Ann Michaels, Jester of the Peace Sandra Schawalder Lisa Russell Cheryl Gallagher Emma Scarafiotti Karl-Heinz Stufft-Fischer Cynthia Fleischmann Jiali Feng Maritsa Kissamitaki / Maritsaki, YU PING, Chen Xi, Shi Liu, William T. Ayton Yang Na, Ali Aksu, Amy Karle Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm Skyler Farasat I Skye+Fam Books, Sabrina Bühlmann aka Replicah (Artist Name) Gianfranco Fagotto Solange (Murièle Solange Bolay) Oceana Rain Stuart Huang Min
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey of cocreation and joy!
15 June: Future of Humanity Experience Step into a living laboratory of ideas, featuring immersive installations, radical dialogue, and visionary art that reimagines what it means to be human.
16 June: A Brush with the Future Don’t miss a special gathering with the featured artists of the Future of Humanity Experience during Art Basel Week 2025. This is a rare chance to meet the creative visionaries who are shaping our shared future and to dive into meaningful conversations about what comes next.
18 June: Future of Humanity: Kids Edition A playful, creative event empowering young minds to dream and co-create the world of tomorrow.
21 June: Future of Humanity Experience Step into a living laboratory of ideas, featuring immersive installations, radical dialogue, and visionary art that reimagines what it means to be human.
14 June – 13 July: Future of Humanity Experience x Cracks in Time: The Decade of Change Seen Through Her Eyes is a powerful joint exhibition curated and documented by Kiyono Sakashita in collaboration with AAP Gallery.
This is more than a series of events. It’s a grassroots movement powered by the energy and generosity of many remarkable communities and individuals. Your support makes this all possible.
Donate today to help us keep the Future of Humanity Experience open and accessible to all. Every contribution helps us uplift voices, inspire action, and create a platform for transformative change.
We can’t wait to welcome you in Basel and co-create the future. Together.
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Submit Your Wish & send it with us to the Moon here.
Join one of our Partners, syntezia® sarl and Y Zieba at Syntezia Open 2025! More details here.
Read Zorana Ivcevic Pringle new book: The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action here.
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