Here We Go Again

The Future Is Looking…

Each year, Culture Pilot assembles a short Trends Forecast to study our potential future. Some say we're clairvoyant. Have a look back at editions for: What we got wrong (so far), 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Last year, we asked whether constants could change. Twelve months later, we’ve seen new constants forming in business, technology, and culture. But with the pace of change, has anything had time to mature?

We may not all agree on how fast things will change or who it will benefit first, but we had one prominent alignment this year, consistent for everyone on the team: 

Direction matters more than speed. 

Team Signals At A Glance

• Geoff: The K-shaped economy is getting sharper, and “AI vs non-AI” is becoming a real dividing line. Plus, money for content creators may consolidate quickly as attention fragments and monetization gets harder.

• Erma: Adaptability is the win. The toolsets are changing nonstop, and early resistance serves no purpose when there’s a clear advantage in learning the tools and making them part of everyday infrastructure.

• Susan: Execution systems matter. Workflow and structure continue to be foundational to multi-project production work. And we may start to see corners of the internet that are “AI-banned” where human content is both highly desirable and exclusive.

• Theresa: AI accelerates capability, but also accelerates inequality if incentives remain the same. Job displacement is real, and the “AI employee” pitch is not subtle. Both companies and employees need to change, or removing humans from the loop may create more loss than we realize.

• Kara: When craft, strategy, and timing align, magic happens. Achieving “lightning in a bottle” success stories is harder without creative humans. And general resilience will continue to be expected as a professional trait that may not be required, but will be highly recognized.

• Tim: Building trust is harder than ever, as society questions AI's integrity. AI commerce is moving from concept to infrastructure, creating new benefits and drawbacks for businesses and consumers. Tech acceleration is still shrinking timelines while raising expectations at an exaggerated rate, causing new mental stresses that few are accustomed to or ready for.

For a glance back at 2025 and More Details On What The Future Holds:  Open The Full Report » 

And with that, it’s time for another trip around the sun.

From everyone at Culture Pilot, we’re wishing you and yours nothing but happiness and positivity in the new year ahead.

Stay in tune and stay in touch.