Global Future Council on Frontier Risks
Global Future Council on Frontier Risks
Council mission and objectives
Frontier risks are future shocks or dangers that emerge as new technologies surface or paradigms shift due to human and societal forces. These risks are characterized by their unknown likelihood, unknown impacts or both. While decision-makers must confront the risks of all categories, frontier risks require exploration because: (1) early-warning signs are often subtle and difficult to detect; (2) these risks are less likely to be understood beyond a niche group of experts; and (3) their uncertainty means they could manifest at any point and at any magnitude.
The Global Future Council on Frontier Risks will capitalize on its diverse, forward-thinking membership to bring fresh thinking to frontier risks, interconnections and implications. Specifically, the council will delve deeper into four critical frontiers: breaching new territorial and geographic boundaries, exceeding ecological and environmental limits, expanding forms and speed of human communication, and reaching novel human-technology interfaces. Outputs will focus on risk scenarios emerging at these frontiers as well as risk governance opportunities.
Forum Council Manager:
- Melinda Kuritzky, Lead, Global Risks and Geopolitical Agenda, World Economic Forum
Council Co-Chairs
Forum Agenda blogs
Latest publications
Mobilizing thought leadership for impact
The Global Future Councils serve as a brain trust for leaders from government, business and civil society, and support the Forum’s mission by bringing together experts bound by a shared mission to discuss the most critical issues, generate insights and analysis, and collaborate in shaping agendas.
Related articles
Weapons powered by artificial intelligence pose a frontier risk and need to be regulated
Global regulations on the use of militarized artificial intelligence (AI) are insufficient. Here are some ideas for how to counter this frontier risk.
Making sense of frontier risks and identifying early warning signs
How can we manage frontier risks more effectively? First we must tackle why decision makers often fail to prepare, then we can build resilient pathways.
What are frontier risks and how can we prepare for them?
"Frontier risks” are characterized by unknown likelihood and/or unknown impacts. Here are five ways leaders can prepare for frontier risks in the future.
How to get better at making warnings
Most experts are not very good at warning for one main reason: they are not very specific, both in content or style.
3 scenarios for how bioengineering could change our world in 10 years
Edible vaccines, new approaches to treat disabilities and better carbon sequestration are among the promising innovations. But we also need to manage the risks.
Why Nigeria's #EndSARS movement is more than a call to end police brutality
The Lagos protests against a brutal police unit were seen as an echo of #BlackLivesMatter. But they are rooted in a wider set of grievances from a disfranchised Nigerian generation.
Explore strategic insights and contextual intelligence on global risks from the World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum developed Strategic Intelligence to help you understand the global forces at play and make more informed decisions. Explore and monitor the issues and forces driving transformational change across more than 250 areas, including economies, industries and global issues, and identify the most relevant publications, videos, data, events, initiatives and stakeholders in those areas.
Related reports
Read our reports on the range of issues we’re seeking to address