Collaborative Foresight: How to Game the Future from Coursera

You’ll never have a complete picture of what's possible in the future if you look at it from just one point of view. The best way to expand your vision? Engage as many people as you can, and “game out” the possibilities together.

In this course, you’ll learn how to use collaborative gaming techniques to go beyond your own thinking and see many, many different sides of the same future. Over the past decade, the Institute for the Future has pioneered new methods in “massively-multiplayer foresight.” You’ll learn how to adapt these methods to get diverse, surprising views of what’s possible, build your empathy for other people’s futures, and reduce your risk of being “blindsided” by the future.

This course features content from the Ethical Operating System, a tool created by the Institute in collaboration with Omidyar Networks’ Tech and Society Lab. It’s designed to help technology companies anticipate risks and prevent unwanted consequences of the things they build. Whether or not you work in tech, the Ethical Operating System will give you the chance to participate right now in an urgent future forecasting game. The stakes of the game are the future of truth, privacy, democracy, security, and our collective well-being. It’s a unique opportunity to join creative and strategic forces with people who are making the tech that’s inventing the future, and with fellow futures thinkers like you.

Many thanks to the Enlight Foundation and the Enlight Collaborative, which provided a grant to support the creation of this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Collaborative Foresight

Welcome to Collaborative Foresight. Shall we play a game? This week, you'll learn the basics: What is a future forecasting game? How do you run one? And who should you invite to play? At the end of the week, you'll choose your own future scenario that you think would make for a great game.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores diverse perspectives to envision future possibilities by engaging with multiple viewpoints

Leverages a collaborative gaming approach to promote innovative thinking and foresight

Utilizes the Ethical Operating System to help learners anticipate risks and design responsible technology solutions

Provides practical tools, such as future wheels and positive and shadow imagination techniques, to empower learners with diverse thinking skills

Partners with the Enlight Foundation and Enlight Collaborative to provide funding and support for the course creation

Reviews summary

Collaborative foresight & strategic gaming

According to learners, this course offers a refreshing and unique approach to future forecasting, moving beyond traditional methods. Students particularly appreciate the focus on collaborative techniques and the introduction of playful 'gaming' methods to explore potential futures from multiple perspectives. The course provides specific, actionable tools like the Future Wheel and Positive/Shadow Imagination, which many found helpful for creative thinking and strategy development. Some reviewers noted that while the concepts are highly engaging, the practical application might require additional effort beyond the course material, and the effectiveness of the collaborative exercises can depend on peer participation.

Material is interesting and well-presented.

"The course content was highly engaging and kept me thinking long after the videos ended."

"I found the lectures and readings to be consistently interesting and thought-provoking."

"The topics covered, like the future of neurosensing, were current and captured my attention."

"The instructors present the material clearly and with enthusiasm."

Emphasizes working with others.

"The collaborative exercises were key to understanding how different perspectives shape the future."

"Working with other learners really brought the concepts to life and expanded my thinking."

"The emphasis on group participation is a strength, though it relies on engagement from peers."

"I appreciated the opportunity to interact and 'game out' scenarios with others."

Introduces specific methods for foresight.

"Learning how to use the Future Wheel immediately gave me a tool I could apply."

"The sections on Positive and Shadow Imagination were particularly insightful and gave me new ways to approach problems."

"The course provides concrete frameworks and tools, not just abstract concepts."

"I feel equipped with several methods for running my own small-scale foresight sessions now."

Offers a distinct approach to foresight.

"This course presents a truly unique way to think about the future, very different from typical strategic planning."

"The 'gaming' aspect was surprisingly effective and made exploring complex ideas much more accessible."

"I've taken other foresight courses, but the collaborative gaming techniques here were completely novel and valuable."

"It's not just theory; the approach gives you a fresh lens through which to view possibilities."

Concepts are strong, application varies.

"While the ideas are fascinating, I found myself wishing for more guidance on how to implement these techniques in a corporate setting."

"The course gives you the tools, but applying them effectively in real-world situations might take practice."

"It's a great theoretical foundation, but don't expect a step-by-step guide for every possible application."

"Some concepts felt very abstract initially, requiring effort to connect them to my specific context."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Collaborative Foresight: How to Game the Future with these activities:

Explore the Institute for the Future's website

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Engaging with the Institute for the Future's resources will help you better understand the course material and connect with others in the field.

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Visit the Institute for the Future's website.
Explore the resources available on the website.

Explore the Ethical Operating System

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Engaging with the Ethical Operating System will help you better understand the ethical implications of technology.

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Visit the Ethical Operating System website.
Explore the resources available on the website.

Review the basics of collaborative gaming

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Learning about collaborative gaming techniques will help you develop the skills to use them to learn more about the course topics.

Browse courses on Forecasting

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Re-familiarize yourself with the principles of collaborative gaming.
Review some of the most common collaborative gaming techniques

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Review The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

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Reading this book will help you understand the importance of gathering and how to create effective gatherings.

View The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Consider how you can apply the concepts to your own life.

Run a brainstorming session to identify multiple perspectives on a potential future scenario

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Brainstorming different perspectives on future scenarios will help you develop your creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Brainstorming

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Identify a potential future scenario.
Gather a group of people with diverse perspectives.
Facilitate a brainstorming session to generate as many different perspectives on the scenario as possible.

Attend a workshop on using collaborative gaming techniques for future forecasting

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Attending a workshop on collaborative gaming techniques will help you learn how to use these techniques to forecast the future.

Browse courses on Future Forecasting

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Find a workshop on collaborative gaming techniques for future forecasting.
Register for the workshop and attend.
Participate in the workshop and learn about collaborative gaming techniques.

Develop a presentation on the potential impact of a specific technology on society

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Creating a presentation on the potential impact of a technology will help you understand the potential benefits and risks of the technology.

Browse courses on Technology

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Choose a technology to focus on.
Research the potential impact of the technology on society.
Develop a presentation that outlines the potential impact of the technology.
Present your findings to others.

Career center

Learners who complete Collaborative Foresight: How to Game the Future will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Futurist

Futurists study emerging trends and develop visions of the future. They use their knowledge to help organizations make decisions about the future. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a futurist. You will learn how to identify and analyze trends, develop scenarios, and communicate your findings to others. This course can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Futurist

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market trends and consumer behavior. They use their findings to help businesses make decisions about product development, marketing, and pricing. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a market research analyst. You will learn how to collect and analyze data, develop insights, and communicate your findings to others. This course can give you a competitive advantage in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Business Strategist

Business strategists develop and implement plans to help organizations achieve their goals. They use their knowledge of the market, the competition, and the organization's capabilities to develop strategies that will lead to success. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a business strategist. You will learn how to analyze the market, develop strategies, and communicate your findings to others. This course can help you be more successful in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Strategist

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts study public policy issues and develop recommendations for policy changes. They use their knowledge of the political process, the economy, and the social sciences to develop policies that will improve the lives of citizens. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a policy analyst. You will learn how to analyze policy issues, develop recommendations, and communicate your findings to others. This course can make you more competitive for jobs in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Journalist

Journalists research and report on news stories. They use their skills in writing, research, and communication to inform the public about important issues. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a journalist. You will learn how to research stories, interview sources, and write articles that are clear, concise, and engaging. This course can prepare you for a successful career in the field of journalism.

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User Experience Designer

User experience designers create products and services that are easy to use and enjoyable. They use their knowledge of human behavior, design principles, and technology to create products that meet the needs of users. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a user experience designer. You will learn how to conduct user research, design prototypes, and evaluate user feedback. This course can help give you an edge up in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring products to market that meet the needs of customers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a product manager. You will learn how to define product requirements, manage product development, and launch products to market. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for product management roles.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve business problems. They use their skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer science to analyze data and develop models that can predict future trends. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a data scientist. You will learn how to collect and clean data, build models, and communicate your findings to others. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for data science roles.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice to businesses on a variety of topics, including strategy, marketing, and operations. They use their knowledge of business principles and best practices to help businesses improve their performance. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a consultant. You will learn how to analyze business problems, develop solutions, and communicate your findings to others. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for consulting roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including science, math, and English. They use their knowledge of the subject matter and their teaching skills to help students learn and grow. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a teacher. You will learn how to plan lessons, teach effectively, and assess student learning. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for teaching roles.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They work with staff, volunteers, and donors to achieve the organization's mission. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a nonprofit manager. You will learn how to manage a nonprofit organization, develop fundraising strategies, and advocate for the organization's mission. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for nonprofit management roles.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people navigate difficult life circumstances. They work with individuals, families, and communities to provide support and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a social worker. You will learn how to assess needs, develop case plans, and provide counseling and support. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for social work roles.

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Public Administrator

Public administrators work in government agencies to implement public policy. They use their knowledge of government and public administration to manage programs and services that benefit the public. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a public administrator. You will learn how to analyze public policy, manage government programs, and work with the public. This course can make you a more competitive candidate for public administration roles.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They use their knowledge of anthropology to understand how different cultures work and how they have evolved over time. This course can may be useful for anthropologists who want to learn more about the future of human societies. You will learn how to analyze cultural trends, develop scenarios, and communicate your findings to others. This course may provide some insights that can help you in your research or teaching.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human social behavior and institutions. They use their knowledge of sociology to understand how society works and how it has evolved over time. This course can may be useful for sociologists who want to learn more about the future of human societies. You will learn how to analyze social trends, develop scenarios, and communicate your findings to others. This course may provide some insights that can help you in your research or teaching.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist