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The country is experiencing significant disruption, unlike anything we’ve seen since the end of World War II. A perfect storm of demographic changes, AI advancements, and political upheaval will reshape the nation forever. Some changes will be beneficial, while others will be less clear. Here’s my perspective on what to expect in the next decade.
The country will be more socially liberal, but economic policy will trend more conservatively, causing wealth to become more consolidated.
While the country has historically faced short-term civil rights and multiculturalism setbacks, social policy has consistently trended more liberal. In ten years, America’s heartland will be much more diverse, fostering a more inclusive mentality among the majority of Americans.
Economic policies will fluctuate, but America’s image as the land of opportunity will keep them trending more conservative. Wealth will, for the most part, remain in the hands of the educated and the connected.
AI will bring down prices in many sectors, including healthcare.
Artificial intelligence will improve productivity in every sector of the economy, keeping inflation for most goods and services relatively low. Americans will have universal healthcare like every other major country worldwide. AI will make healthcare more efficient and less expensive.
Misinformation will replace nuclear war as the greatest threat to civilization.
Social media giants will be dismantled, yet people will continue to receive news and information from online sources, making it increasingly difficult to access accurate, straightforward information. Misinformation will ignite military conflicts, fracture families, and lead individuals to seek guidance from trusted sources who may not always have honorable intentions. To maintain unity within the nation, a constitutional amendment that defines free speech for the modern era and allows for the criminalization of misinformation will be ratified. Following this, social media companies will face numerous billion-dollar lawsuits.
There will be only two viable cryptocurrencies, but they will be extremely valuable.
Yes, crypto will be a big thing. The transparency of it will make it more appealing, and regulation and the market will eliminate most of the crap. Only two viable currencies will remain and will be worth trillions.
Theater, concerts, and other live performance art will become more popular, as will sports.
Video games will begin to replace films and television as the primary source of visual entertainment. Theater, sports, and live concerts will provide human connection and a refreshing alternative to electronic entertainment.
Weight loss drugs and surgical advancements will cause obesity rates to go down, and plastic surgery will be more common.
Weight loss drugs will get better with fewer side effects, reducing obesity but making people less healthy because drugs will replace healthy lifestyles for many. Social media addiction will cause cosmetic surgery to become more common.
Real estate values will outpace other asset classes – but not all types.
Malls will focus less on shopping and more on social activities and entertainment. Residential real estate will remain valuable, but mixed-use properties with a combination of residential and commercial will outpace standard apartment buildings in demand and value. Because of jobs and human connections, America’s top 10 largest cities will have the strongest real estate markets.
Creativity will be most in demand.
People who can think creatively will be in the greatest demand. Not just artistically. People who use their creativity to solve problems, communicate effectively, and lead others will be the most successful people in the world.
In the wake of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s success, the U.S. will elect a Latina president.
Mexico will thrive economically and have less crime. Its food, music, fashion, and art will become more prevalent in Europe and Asia. Sheinbaum will be the most successful Mexican president in a century, paving the way for the first Latina president of the United States.
Latino culture will be the source of everything cool in America.
Even as the country becomes more homogenized, cultural experiences will be valued. Latino culture, in particular, will become the source of great entertainment, food, and music. The AVANCE Global Conference will replace South by Southwest as the premiere destination for emerging cultural products, trends, and ideas.