Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are best positioned for the next 100 years?
Countries with long-term national strategies, early AI adoption, strong governance, and credible energy transition plans are best placed for the next century. The UAE, Singapore, and the Nordic nations consistently rank highly across these dimensions. The UAE’s Centennial 2071 plan is among the world’s most comprehensive long-horizon national frameworks currently in active implementation.
How will artificial intelligence change the job market by 2124?
AI and automation will eliminate many repetitive roles but create entirely new professions in fields like human-machine collaboration, AI ethics, bioengineering, and sustainable infrastructure. The net effect is likely to be a more flexible, skills-based labour market. Countries investing now in adaptive education systems and digital reskilling programmes will be better positioned to manage this transition.
What will cities look like in 100 years?
By 2124, cities are projected to house 90% of the global population of around 11 billion people. Urban designs will likely prioritise vertical density, walkability, green space integration, and climate resilience. Projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia and Dubai’s smart city initiatives offer early models of how future cities might combine technology, sustainability, and quality of life at scale.
Will the UAE still be a leading economy in 100 years?
The UAE has one of the world’s most deliberate long-term planning frameworks, including the UAE Centennial 2071, the National AI Strategy 2031, and the Net Zero 2050 commitment. Its active diversification away from oil dependency, combined with investment in technology, education, and talent attraction, positions it strongly for sustained relevance well beyond the current century.
How will food production change over the next 100 years?
Precision agriculture powered by AI and IoT, vertical farming in urban environments, lab-grown proteins, and drone-based distribution are expected to transform global food systems. In arid regions like the UAE and GCC, these technologies are particularly significant, offering pathways to food security that do not depend on traditional rainfall or large-scale land use.
Topic Summary
1. Revolutionised Healthcare and Longevity
Advancements in medical technology are expected to drastically improve the quality of healthcare. Personalized medicine, driven by genomics and artificial intelligence, will enable treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. Regenerative medicine, including organ printing and advanced stem cell therapies, could significantly extend human lifespan and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases.
2. Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management
In response to climate change, the world will likely harness abundant renewable energy sources such as advanced solar, wind, and fusion power. Smart grids and energy storage innovations will optimise consumption and reduce waste. Additionally, cutting-edge environmental technologies will support large-scale carbon capture and ecosystem restoration, promoting a healthier planet.
3. Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Automation
AI and robotics will permeate every aspect of daily life and industry. Autonomous systems will handle complex tasks in transportation, manufacturing, and services, enhancing efficiency and safety. Machine learning will assist in scientific research and decision-making, uncovering insights beyond current human capability.
4. Interplanetary Exploration and Colonisation
Human presence beyond Earth will become a reality, with established colonies on the Moon and Mars. Advances in propulsion technologies and life support systems will facilitate sustained space exploration and resource utilisation, potentially alleviating terrestrial resource pressures and opening new frontiers for human civilisation.
5. Seamless Human-Technology Integration
The boundary between humans and technology will blur through developments in brain-computer interfaces, augmented reality, and wearable devices. These innovations will enhance cognitive abilities, communication, and sensory perception, fostering new forms of creativity, education, and social interaction. This integration will profoundly reshape human experience and societal norms.
What will the world look like in 100 years as technology continues to advance?
There is a lot of naysaying when it comes to talking about the future. Plenty of doom and gloom. While there are of course a number of areas of very serious concern, in this article I want to paint a brighter picture. We are almost a quarter of the way through this century, and the advancements are coming at an incredible rate. All of which begs the question: Where will the world be 100 years from now? What will life be like in 2124?
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That’s a big enough topic for several books, so in this article I’ll focus on a few key areas and make some tentative predictions. I’ll look at economy and business, the places people will live, food production and distribution, space exploration, and the countries best placed to embrace this future.
The scale of change already underway gives us a meaningful benchmark: the UAE is targeting a doubling of its digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7% to over 20% by 2031, representing USD 140 billion in targeted growth¹. Meanwhile, the generative AI sector alone is projected to expand from $10 billion in 2022 to $110.8 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 34.3%² — and that is just one dimension of the transformation ahead.
Let's dive in.
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Based on current trajectories, the countries best positioned for the next century share a clear set of characteristics:
- Long-term national planning: documented strategies extending 25 to 100 years, such as the UAE Centennial 2071 and Saudi Vision 2030, that give governments and businesses a stable direction
- Early AI and technology adoption: national AI strategies, dedicated ministries, and public investment in digital infrastructure that attracts global talent and enterprise
- Energy transition leadership: credible pathways to net zero, investment in renewables, and reduced dependency on single-commodity export revenues
- Adaptive education systems: curricula that evolve alongside technology, producing graduates capable of working in industries that do not yet exist
- Open and competitive business environments: low barriers to company formation, strong legal protections for investors, and policies that welcome foreign ownership and capital
- Resilient food and water security: investment in sustainable agriculture, vertical farming, desalination, and supply chain diversification to insulate against climate disruption
The UAE’s Roadmap to the Future
| Goal | Target Year | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| UAE becomes a global AI leader (National AI Strategy 2031) | 2031 | AI strategy in active implementation across 8 priority sectors |
| Digital economy contribution doubles from 9.7% to 20%+ of GDP | 2031 | Digital economy worth USD 140B growth targeted |
| UAE achieves net zero carbon emissions (Net Zero 2050) | 2050 | UAE ranked first globally in renewable energy growth rate |
| UAE Centennial: top education, economy, and government globally | 2071 | Ranked first in 223 global competitiveness indicators in 2024 |
| Dubai doubles its economy under D33 Agenda | 2033 | GDP on track; 4.7% growth in first 9 months of 2025 |
Conclusion
As technology continues to advance, we are likely to see a more interconnected and resilient world. The future holds promise for significant advancements in how we work, eat, create, and collaborate. With their visionary leadership and commitment to innovation, the UAE and wider GCC are well-positioned to lead these transformations, setting a global benchmark for a future that is not only technologically advanced but also sustainable and inclusive.
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