Deborah M. Collier

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LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Future Dawned 

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As we look ahead to 2025, the future we envisioned in sci-fi movies is no longer just fantasy. It’s taking shape.  The turbulence of the past five years has reached a tipping point, with significant shifts in global power dynamics.  In 2024, major events in government around the world have set the stage for a new era, one marked by rising geopolitical tensions and the increasing influence of authoritarian regimes.  These shifts, driven by deep wealth inequality, are creating a world where technology platforms, businesses, and citizens alike will face unprecedented challenges.  The question is no longer, if the future will change, but how will we navigate profound shifts already underway?  

2025 will be a pivotal year for humanity! We must guide digital implementation toward a positive future, ensuring that digital business and technology serve us, rather than dictate the terms. 
A strategic, thoughtful approach to the digital landscape is essential. To avoid a Usability crisis, it’s crucial to slow down the rollout of new technologies, prioritize proper testing, and focus on user-friendly designs that meet real-world needs.  While automation is key, maintaining the value of human connection is vital. 
Brands that effectively blend technology with genuine customer service WILL build lasting loyalty and thrive.  Additionally, the rise of Agentic AI will transform industries, driving innovation and efficiency.  Successful organizations should embrace this shift to optimize their operations, while ensuring it serves people, not just profit.  
Geopolitical shifts will also reshape the digital ecosystem in 2025, with nations seeking greater control over their tech, people and data. 
To thrive in this fragmented world, we must prioritize tech diplomacy, build strong international partnerships, and tackle regulatory challenges head-on – ensuring a unified, prosperous digital future for everyone. 

Future Dawned Podcast

Deborah’s insights are discussed by hosts at the NEW Future Dawned podcast, a name inspired by her insights.   Listen to the below episode from ‘Future Dawned’
Digital World in 2025 Episode

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

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LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Geopolitics and the Digital Ecosystem

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In 2025, geopolitics will play a crucial role in shaping the digital world. Some countries will push for greater digital sovereignty, imposing stricter regulations and promoting local tech industries to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.

Geopolitical tensions will fuel cybersecurity risks and digital trade wars, leading to restrictions on data flow and tech exports.  As nations adopt different AI and ethics regulations, global companies will face challenges in navigating diverse legal frameworks.  This shifting landscape could create a more fragmented digital ecosystem, with major implications for innovation, trade, and global supply chains. 

However, there should be a great focus on tech diplomacy and multi-lateral collaboration in 2025 and beyond.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Listen to Future Dawned Podcast
Geopolitics in the Digital Age Episode

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LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Innovation and the 5th Industrial Revolution

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In 2024, I announced the beginning of the 5th Industrial Revolution – the beginning of an explosive age that catapults production and scientific advancement in artificial intelligence. In 2024, creators and organizations have been experimenting with new technologies, exploring how to integrate them into work and everyday life.

In 2025, we’ll enter a critical phase of the 5th Industrial Revolution, with Agentic AI playing a central role. This new phase of AI combines generative AI – which creates new content, with agentic AI – which focuses on optimizing performance, decision-making and automation. 

The result will be a significant increase in productivity, faster and smarter decisions and the emergence of new business models. Industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and finance will be deeply affected, with AI optimizing everything from operations to decision-making. 

In 2025 and beyond, the impact of Agentic AI will be profound. It will transform how industries function, change the way we work, and alter our relationship with technology, driving the next wave of innovation in the 5th Industrial Revolution.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Listen to Future Dawned Podcast
5th Industrial Revolution – Agentic AI Episode

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LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Human Connection in Business

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In 2025 Human Connection Matters More Than Ever! In the rush to embrace automation, businesses have unintentionally sacrificed what truly matters – genuine customer service. From frustrating automated self-checkouts to clunky AI chatbots, today’s customer experience often feels more like a test of patience than a helpful interaction. As a result, consumers and employees are left feeling exhausted and disconnected. 

In 2025 and beyond, the key to success will be finding the right balance between technology and human touch.  Cutting costs by reducing customer service staff may seem like a quick way to increase profits, but the long-term impact could be harmful. 

More and more, customers are looking for brands that offer not just efficiency, but a caring, human-centered experience – one that’s enhanced by technology, not replaced by it. 

For organizations aiming to thrive, the future lies in reimagining customer service as a blend of empathy and innovation. 

Those that can deliver the right mix, will not only win loyalty but will set themselves apart as leaders in a world where human connection is becoming more valuable than ever.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Listen to Future Dawned Podcast
Human Connection in the Digital Age Episode

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

Avoiding a Usability Crisis 

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As we approach 2025, the rush for digital transformation, driven by security threats, cost-cutting and investor pressures, has created major usability risks for businesses and governments worldwide.

The speed of digital transformation and technological implementation has left platforms and online user interfaces, both poorly designed and tested, with serious consequences for customer service, acquisition, and retention. In 2024, businesses faced significant challenges: accountancy software vendors lost customers due to cybersecurity breaches and poor integration with tax departments…. while advertising platforms became overly complex, pushing advertisers to competitors. 

Small businesses are struggling with digitized tax systems, multi-factor authentication hurdles, and the unrealistic demands of linking a single cell phone number to each individual, ignoring the reality of modern communication and the need to separate business from personal lives. 

Unless tech vendors and governments slow down their rollouts to allow for proper testing and user training, the world could face an explosive usability crisis in 2025.

The already evolving psychological strain on citizens and workers, coupled with significant financial losses for businesses, could lead to a profound and lasting negative impact on society.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Listen to Future Dawned Podcast
Usability Focus Episode

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY, BUSINESS & COMMERCE FUTURE & HUMANITY STRATEGY, INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

5th Industrial Revolution

5th Industrial Revolution
5th Industrial Revolution

2024 will signify the beginning of the ‘5th Industrial Revolution’ and the beginning of an explosive age that catapults production, business growth and scientific advancement through Artificial Intelligence.

According to leading organizations, Artificial Intelligence will contribute over 15-trillion US dollars to the global economy by 2030, but are businesses leveraging this modern-day gold rush? Do they have the know-how to have the competitive-edge or keep up with their competitors? Are they innovating?

Investment in innovation, entrepreneurship, technical and non-technical skills are critical to boosting economies by growing nations’ GDP and driving citizen prosperity. Business sustainability is vital in turbulent economic times, but the 5th Industrial Revolution, means businesses have the potential to grow at rate not witnessed in modern times.

Productivity and growth can be supported by enabling access to information and skills in ‘Generative AI’, across even non-technical roles in organizations.  Our augmented future will include AI-augmented development of intelligent applications, along with a connected workforce augmented with wearable AI-powered devices. 

Artificial intelligence will further speed scientific advancements in health, engineering and manufacturing, as well as enabling business growth through AI powered content and media production, marketing, reporting, problem-solving and data analysis. In addition, the implementation of sustainably produced and powered technologies, will drive ethical and green initiatives for businesses.

Businesses not participating in the 5th Industrial Revolution, are missing out on a golden opportunity to boost their revenue and growth, and survive during tough economic times.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY FUTURE & HUMANITY LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Governing the Unthinkable

2024 Greatest Risk to Humanity
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It is not Artificial Intelligence we should fear, but those who control it. Safety must be about ensuring AI leverages the best of humanity and not humanity’s greed and cruelty. Governance of technologies, data and communications by the right people, is absolutely critical to the well-being and future of humanity. Our thinking, planning and action must go beyond artificial intelligence. The greatest assets can pose the biggest threats. As beings with free will, implantable devices, particularly those developed for the human brain, pose the greatest threat to our existence. Will we continue to let developers, financiers and politicians dominate and control technology, data and communications, or will we explore a democratic digital government of wise men and women? In 2024, there will be a significant shift in governance, which will include not only how we govern, but who will govern the formidable trio of digital, communications and technologies. (Extract 2024 Digital World Predictions)

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About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director, and Chair of CXO Congress.

Categories
DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY FUTURE & HUMANITY

Inspiring Digital Peace

Digital Peace
What will you do to inspire digital peace?

The world today feels ever more turbulent. While human-connectedness enabled by social networks and ‘Content Social Symbiosis’ are nurturing compassion and empathy, we are navigating one crisis after another. After a decade of multiple recessions and a global pandemic, the world faces threats of war, including traditional, cyber and information warfare. However as nations fight for power, land and wealth, others strive for honour, integrity and a better world. Digital with a human heart, has the ability to drive peace. Data, digital communications and networking technologies can be used to stop disinformation, fake news, prejudice, hate and incitement of violence, that lead to war and other forms of conflict. In 2024, it is for humanity to rise to the challenge with positive, purposeful digital media and communications that inspire world peace.

Extract: 2024 Digital World Predictions

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About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Categories
DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY, BUSINESS & COMMERCE EDUCATION & INFORMATION STRATEGY FUTURE & HUMANITY STRATEGY, INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

Skills Evolution – Digital Skills to Human Skills

Digital to Human Skills
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The future must be the perfect blend of humans, technology, digital and planet, but what does that mean for employment? How will we demonstrate our worth in a future world and where do we find our purpose?

Change has always been part of both evolution and revolution and the willingness and ability to adapt is what strengthens humanity. Digital skills should pair with human skills, not only in terms of human computer interaction, but in the way we continue to interface with each other. If the focus is not only on digital skills, but more vitally human skills and abilities such as caring, customer service, psychology, creativity and innovation, our future will be bright. The manual and functional roles will continue to be taken over by robots and artificial intelligence, freeing up time for humans to focus on cognitive, analytical, monitoring, management, caring, communications, strategic and creative work. In 2024 and beyond humans will learn both technical and digital skills relevant to their roles, while others focus on innovation and using technologies and digital business to either earn money or solve the world’s problems.

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About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Categories
DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY, BUSINESS & COMMERCE LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Transforming the C-Suite in the Digital Age

Board Room

2024 will see the elders learning from the young, as much as the young learning from the elders. Leaders, managers, practitioners and innovators either have an established history working with digital and technologies or embarked on their journey in recent years. But what about the boards of organizations? Historically, these areas have not needed so much attention at the C-suite and senior government official level. However, in our fast-moving world where the competitive edge and security is dependent on our digital knowledge, technologies and capabilities, digital and technological governance are imperative. With emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence becoming commonplace, risk management and governance within organizations is vital at the most senior level. In 2024 and beyond, the ‘Chiefs’ will benefit from coaching by experts with decades of experience, enabling them to develop their own policies and the strongest of risk management practices and governance in their organizations and governments. In 2024 and beyond, foresight and future-proofing boards with strategic thinking and future-ready decision makers will be high on the agenda.

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About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director, and Chair of CXO Congress.