Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 497,661 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,321 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 97,309 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,321 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 97,309 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,257 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Dashboard
Track your market, topics and categories. Plus, collect favorite articles, build custom lists and filter down to your next opportunity!
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 497,661 cutting edge ideas.
FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Ability to Change > Module 6 / 7

Linear Thinking

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
In this module, Jeremy introduces the the concept of linear thinking and its impact on our ability to accurately predict and plan for the future. Unfortunately, our human brains are not designed for our exponentially evolving world. We understand that our world is changing, but we assume the next interval of change will be similar to the last. We have a very difficult time understanding the compounding impact of change.

This module also touches on the pace of change and how it continues to accelerate with each passing year. Throughout the module, you'll discover examples that showcase this acceleration and you'll also learn tactics on how you can better position yourself and your business to stay ahead of competitors.
Workshop Questions:
1. Realizing how much has changed, in so many categories, how much has changed in your world?
2. Create a list of a dozen far-future innovations in your industry and simulate how you would react if your competitor surprised you by releasing those innovations.
3. What can you do now to set yourself up for success during the next interval of change?
Access Advisory Services

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Positivity Platform
Social platforms with a positive focus rebel against the negative internet
Trend - New online platforms, whether private or social-focused, are launching with a focus on positivity and compliments. Some such platforms are powered by AI, while some are community-driven. However, each are designed to offer positive breaks from the negative nature of popular content platforms.
Workshop Question - How might we create a positive and uplifting experience for our audience to counteract the negativity often found in digital environments?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Scent
Scent-releasing devices are used in virtual reality applications for immersion
Trend - New products are being developed that monitor virtual reality environments and release scents accordingly. These devices store scents via fluid or wax pads, and can custom-mix sources to produce more scent varieties. This is designed to enhance immersion in entertainment or for scent therapy.
Workshop Question - How could your brand utilize scent-based technology with its products or services?
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Daily Automation
Advanced robots are being used to automate simple to complex tasks
Trend - Robotics companies are launching advanced robots capable of automating tasks in the workplace and the home. These robots have dexterous limbs, precision accuracy, and reliable problem-solving skills. Businesses are using these to automate simple and menial to complex jobs in the workplace.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from access to advanced robotic workers?
5.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Training
Workplaces are using generative AI to train and improve employee efficiency
Trend - Workplaces are using generative artificial intelligence to craft training modules, provide feedback, and improve overall onboarding experiences for employees. These AI models deliver accurate feedback more quickly than human workers, saving companies time and money on onboarding.
Workshop Question - How could your brand implement generative AI training processes to improve its overall workplace efficiency?
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Planned Microcation
Modern consumers are taking microcations to save time and money
Trend - Travel agencies are offering 'microcation' packages that include short-duration, event-packed getaways. These vacation are more affordable and are easier to plan than vacations, making them fit for customers of all ages. Microcations can also be taken in quick succession for versatility.
Workshop Question - How could your brand adjust its products or services knowing that the modern consumer takes less vacation time each year?
4.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Neurodiverse Workplace
Companies are launching initiatives designed for neurodiverse workforces
Trend - Corporations are launching DEI programs and initiatives designed to support the careers and lives of neurodiverse employees. These programs ensure equality in hiring patterns, resource access, and worker compensation. These benefit businesses by improving employee satisfaction and retention.
Workshop Question - How could your brand ensure its DEI programs and initiatives make all potential employees feel welcome and supported?
5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Custom Chatbot
Brands are launching services that enable fast creation of personalized chatbots
Trend - Businesses offer tools enabling clients to build fully-functional chatbots quickly. These bots are trained on custom datasets, making them suitable for internal, consumer-facing, or consulting purposes. Businesses across numerous industries can benefit from personalized low-cost chatbots.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage personalized chatbot technology to enhance customer service or streamline workflow?
5.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Operations
Companies are leveraging AI platforms to optimize production and reduce waste
Trend - Companies in the production, retail, and logistics spaces are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) models to reduce emissions. The AI models help optimize production, cut-out excess waste, better manage inventory, and improve overall sustainability using predictive and analytical models.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage AI models to optimize production and improve overall sustainability in response to increased pressure to reduce emissions?
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Decentralized Social
Developers are launching decentralized content platforms
Trend - Independent developers are using shared protocols to create decentralized content aggregator platforms. Companies do not own or moderate these platforms, which offers better privacy than large alternatives. Many of these platforms communicate with one another to form the 'Fediverse.'
Workshop Question - How could your brand adapt to, decentralized social media platforms to better reach modern consumers?
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Consumer Marketplace
Brands are launching first-party storefronts to connect consumers to others
Trend - Brands across multiple industries are launching consumer-to-business-to-consumer (C2B2C) storefronts. C2B2C offers consumers discounts on products and enables consumers to sell unwanted products while the business handles transactions and verifies the quality of listed items.
Workshop Question - How might your brand benefit from connecting its consumers via an online marketplace or forum?
7.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends