| - AI underwhelms in terms of advancements and economic benefits (although we do get marginally better models), but politicians begin to become increasingly concerned by politically and sexuality controversial AI generated content and demand big tech does / regulators do more. - The public continues to be increasingly gaslight as conspiracy theorists, with this becoming a major theme of the US presidential election where every candidate that isn't Biden is considered a conspiracy theorist in one way or another. Many politicians, judges and big tech CEOs believe we need to do more to prevent "conspiracy theorist" candidates like, Trump, Vivek, RFK, and their European counterparts being elected. - Sentiment on VR shifts. Many of those previously sceptical about AR/VR acknowledge that it's likely one of the next major tech trends. - Tensions regarding RU/UA further escalates after path to RU victory becomes clear. Many leaders dislike the the concessions UA will need to make to Russia. After reluctant peace negotiations leaders demand that UA is given long-range offensive weapons to defend themselves from further Russian attacks. European borders become more militarised. Russia continues escalate rhetoric around nuclear conflict. - China's economy continues to stagnate. - Economic growth in US remains "surprisingly" robust, especially when contrasted with Europe. Europe continues to blame their economic problems on Russia, the rich not paying enough tax and a lack of regulation. Random things: - We make a significant advancement in curing some common age-related disease like cancer or alzheimer's. - Elon Musk dies leading to wide-spread conspiracies regarding the cause of his death. This causes Joe Rogan and others to ramp up conspiracy content in the run up to the US presidential election and are then deplatformed for spreading harmful "misinformation". - Racial and cultural tensions in Western Europe escalate significantly. Far-right parties and narratives make significant headway, however the rise of the far-right is met equally by the rise of far-left parties and narratives. This racial and cultural division will largely define the lines of European politics this decade with all parties supporting increasingly authoritarian policies to fix the problems of the other side. |