#32 - Dr. Gabriele Rizzo | University of Lausanne | The Principle of Positive Futures

Innovation Rockstars

Our today's guest has a very impressive list of references: - He is a futurist and an executive advisor. - He has a Ph.D. in String Theory and Astrophysics and has grown into a Defense expert in foresight, up to being the NATO’s Member at Large for Strategic Foresight and Futures Studies. - He founded the Swiss Center for Positive Futures at the University of Lausanne, and serves as its Director of Research; plus, he is the 2022 UNESCO Chair candidate for Positive Futures, Futures Literacy, and Anticipation. - He is the Futures Advisor to the Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force and the Futures Advisor to the Chief Scientist of the U.S. Space Force, and leads futures thinking in the General Office for Defense Innovation in the Italian Ministry of Defense, reporting to the Vice Chief of Defense. - And last, but not least, he previously has been the ministerial advisor for Futures to the Italian Minister of Defense. In this episode, we welcome Dr. Gabriele Rizzo in his role as Director of Research of the Swiss Center for Positive Futures at the University of Lausanne. Since the age of 8, Gabriele was fascinated by how nature works and what it hides. At the time, however, no one knew that these early inspirations would one day be the key to Gabriele becoming a futurist. In this sometimes almost philosophical exchange, Gabriele introduces us to the Swiss Center for Positive Futures and explains what exactly lies behind the idea of “Positive Futures” and what role the theme of "hope" plays as a driving force in this thought model. We also take a look at Gabriele’s latest book, HR Futures 2030, a futurist guide to the challenges and changes in the world of work backed up by evidence-based trends and signals, offering pragmatic upskilling pathways. If you want to learn more about the principle of “Positive Futures” and how to turn the dark into inspiration or how to maintain the importance of humans in a future that will be even more machine-driven, this is your episode.