Predictions 2045: A Clear Vision Summary

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We looked into our crystal ball

Wichita State students, faculty, staff and community members came together on Friday, April 16, 2021 to predict what would be different in 25 years. Through design thinking, groups collaborated to make predictions in the following six categories.

Technology, business and communication
Environment and sustainability
Government, law and infrastructure
Art, entertainment, culture and athletics
Health and wellness
Education

The virtual sessions were hosted by design-thinking faculty Doug Stucky, College of Innovation and Design, and were supported by a grant from the Wichita Community Foundation. A larger cohort of 36 people were invited to contribute, then broke out into facilitated sessions with five other experts in their area to consider where Wichita is now and where we'll be in the year 2045.

Technology, Business and Communications

Personal car ownership only for collectors
Globe is fully connected through wireless connection (satellite) at an affordable price point
Implanted communications technology
Humans become transplanetary – transportation systems required to support
Passenger jets are powered electronically or through hydrogen
Fully customized consumer products because of advances in technology
Vertical lift becomes more pervasive than new cars sold
Digital personas that are unhackable and globally verifiable enables faster security and transactional flows
Melding of technology and biology

Art, Entertainment, Culture and Athletics

Lebron James starts a new university aimed at teaching robotics and other technology
Education in the United States is free and opens many doors for marginalized communities
Micro chips and glasses to experience concerts, sorts, games, movies, art shows, etc. in real time from home
Glasses allow sight for the blind
Nano technology or holography replaces cell communication

Environment and Sustainability

Sustainability is major job industry in Wichita
Mechanical and electrical engineering has saved the world
No longer building beyond Wichita city limits (infilled)
Developers do not control land use
Tax people who drive to work
Air quality is great
People have stopped eating beef
Timed range burning using artificial intelligence
Common crops have changed completely in Kansas

Health and Wellness

- Open access to quality health care for everyone
- Wichita State has a collaborative care community for students and those who need care assistance
- Wichita State has a universal provider degree program (PA, RDH, MSW, PharmTech, DPT)
- Flying medical bus

Government, Law and Infrastructure

Virtual mountains / oceans at our local parks
Automatic repairs or services (potholes, snow plowing, street sweeping)
Never fill out a form again
Innovating Wichita's infrastructure needs for flying vehicles and working to set up business opportunities to take advantage of population needs

Education

Artificial intelligence will allow for elaborate field trips
Learning will take place anywhere and can be taught by anyone through artificial intelligence
Sustainability will have become much more a part of the world's conversation; education needs to lead the way for mankind
Virtual worlds will be inclusive and accessible
Being able to experiment with life through virtual reality in preparation for real life – for example, testing out a career long before determining a career

Special thanks

The Wichita State University Placemaking Initiative is supported with a grant award from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation.

About the Wichita Community Foundation

Founded in 1986, the Wichita Community Foundation’s mission is to be the catalyst that creates lasting legacies by partnering with people, families, and organizations to devote resources to causes that matter. The Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation invests in civic innovators who help cities attract and nurture talent, enhance opportunity and foster civic engagement. For more information, visit wichitacf.org or call 316-264-4880.