Futures Studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores possible developments in society, the economy, technology, and the environment. It 's not about predicting the future in a deterministic sense, but rather analyzing its multiple possibilities , identifying alternative scenarios to help businesses, institutions, and citizens make more informed decisions in the present. This approach relies on various methodologies, including trend analysis, scenario building, forecasting , and backcasting —tools that allow us to imagine the desired future and plan the actions needed to achieve it.
The Italian Institute for the Future (IIF)
In Italy, one of the main reference points for these studies is the Italian Institute for the Future (IIF) , founded in 2013 in Naples and an institutional member of the World Futures Studies Federation since 2018. The institute engages in research, dissemination, and strategic consulting, aiming to foster a culture of the future that can guide the country's political, economic, and social choices. Through publications, events, training courses, and collaborations with businesses and institutions, the IIF addresses crucial issues such as climate change, technological innovation, the future of the economy, and space exploration.
One of its most notable projects is the magazine Futuri , a reference point for those involved in futures studies in Italy. Furthermore, the institute coordinates initiatives such as Digital Twin Farm , a project aimed at developing advanced digital skills in the design and development of digital twins, i.e., virtual reality environments and tools to support smart manufacturing. The project involves 100 young people (aged 18-34) living in Campania in a five-month training program, replicated in four classes.
Another interesting project is the Youth Committee for the Future , a European project funded under the Erasmus+ programme action KA3 (Support for Policy Reform) that involves 50 young people under 30 from Albania, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania and Spain with the aim of simulating a MEP committee on the future, applying social foresight methods to generate scenarios on five key long-term challenges and discussing with experts and policy makers to develop innovative policy solutions.
As can be seen, the IIF's work is not limited to analysis, but aims to actively impact the present, helping to build sustainable and innovative future scenarios.
The latest issue of the journal on future studies
To better understand what the IIF does and what futures studies are, let's take a look—without too many spoilers—at the latest issue of Futuri magazine , published today, titled " Digital Prometheus: Cinema, Myth, and Narratives of the Future ," edited by Luigi Somma and Gloria Puppi. This issue explores the relationship between cinema, mythology, and future imaginaries, offering a reflection on how new technologies and digital platforms are transforming audiovisual production and consumption.
The remediation of myth in contemporary cinema
One of the central themes of the magazine's 22nd issue concerns the remediation of myth in contemporary cinema : mythological narratives, long used to interpret the present and imagine the future, are reworked through cinematic language to address current issues. This process is made even more complex by the intertwining of cinema and new technologies, such as artificial intelligence , which is redefining the boundaries of creativity and audiovisual production. AI not only facilitates the creation of screenplays and images, but also introduces new ethical and artistic challenges, pushing the industry to question what it means to create in the digital age.
Another key element is the transformation of the film industry following the so-called platformization . Major streaming platforms, such as Disney+, have revolutionized the way content is produced, distributed, and consumed. This shift has also altered audience habits, increasingly oriented toward personalized and fragmented consumption, profoundly impacting the strategies of the industry's majors.
The relationship between cinema and video games in future studies
Finally, the issue delves into the growing convergence between cinema and video games , with the emergence of hybrid narratives that combine elements of both languages to offer increasingly immersive and interactive experiences. This phenomenon redefines the boundaries of audiovisual storytelling, opening up new expressive possibilities and engaging audiences in unprecedented ways.
In a world characterized by rapid transformation and uncertainty, Future Studies , including this type of publication, represents an essential tool for navigating change . The Italian Institute for the Future, with its multidisciplinary and proactive approach, is one of the few Italian institutions committed to bridging the gap between the need for long-term vision and our country's decision-making culture.
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Lecturer in Communications and HR Management. Journalist with a degree in Sociology (cum laude). Editor-in-Chief of Sociologicamente.it.
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