ASK A SOCIAL NETWORK FUTURIST: HOW IS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGING?

ASK A SOCIAL NETWORK FUTURIST: HOW IS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGING?

Given Threads’ recent launch, you may be wondering: What do social network futurists and keynote speakers do? These working professionals study and consider the future of social media services and their impacts on society, technology, and business. In service of this task, such pros might apply methods of strategic foresight or future studies to anticipate emerging trends and societal shifts related to social media.

Let’s take a quick spin through some possible responsibilities and areas of focus for a social network futurist:

  1. Scenario planning: Working pros here may spend time researching and contemplating future trends in social networking. We’re talking technological advancements, changing user behaviors, new platform features, shifts in popular content types, and the emergence of new services.

  2. Digital transformation: Pros might also research how new technologies (like virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, AI, and machine learning) could integrate with and transform the services that we use.

  3. Impact on society: Considering online providers’ potential effects on mental health, privacy, democracy, and community building. Or how companies could help address societal problems.

  4. Business implications: Many social network futurists may advise companies on the potential business implications of changes in the field. For instance, how should an organization alter its social media strategy in response to anticipated trends? Experts often also provide insights into how new social networks could open up business opportunities or threats.

  5. Policy and Ethics: Given the significant influence social networks have on society, consulting experts could also contribute to discussions about regulatory policy and ethical considerations regarding user privacy, content moderation, data management, and digital rights.

  6. Training and Virtual Speaking: Like many futurists, they would also spend time presenting their findings to various audiences, such as at conferences, in business meetings, or through published articles and books.

Please note that job titles and descriptions can vary greatly, so a social network futurist might perform slightly or even significantly different duties than described depending on their role and organization.