I hope that, despite all the obstacles, Europe will grow even closer together in order to overcome global challenges. Many of these challenges can only be mastered if not only purely national interests are represented, but if Europe approaches things with common goals. Defense, securing energy supplies, more social justice. I also hope that Europe manages to fight back against populism and falsehoods.

2050. Sunrise over Rome's Old Town paints the sky a soft orange colour. The city wakes quietly, but already the whisper of electric vehicles and the light gust of wind carrying the salt of the Mediterranean can be heard. Europe has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. The climate crisis has forced countries to focus on renewable energy, and cities have become greener, with polluting cars virtually disappearing from the streets, replaced by autonomous electric cars and bicycles. Food production has also changed: vertical farms have solved product shortages and lab-grown meat has become a common choice. Today, my plans include a quick trip to Paris on the hyper-trains that now connect all Europe's major cities. The journey will take just an hour - time for a cup of coffee and a short chat with friends via hologram. Life has become more convenient, but have people become happier? That's what we're still looking for.

Now, in 2040, I'm enjoying the sweetness of life in my senior residence. I'm 80 years old, and despite my various pathologies, medical progress has enabled me to be a "healthy patient"... 15 years ago, people of goodwill from all countries and religions decided to join forces against a common enemy: global warming. Humanity, united at last, turned its back on murderous, sterile wars. Since then, technical, ecological and medical progress has been phenomenal. This will allow me to live well for another few decades.

Like chameleons, the homes of 2050 will often change appearance, both aesthetically and functionally (part of the home can become immersive at any time, for example). Our relationship with storage will also be different, as we will no longer see our stocks. They will be managed by robots in dedicated airlocks. Connected mirrors will save an incredible amount of time in preparation. There's also a major change concerning water: it will have completely disappeared from the rooms of the house, except as a beverage. As a result, we'll have done away with most of today's household appliances (clothes will be washed automatically, showers will be forced-air showers...). Our homes will no longer be just living spaces. They will serve as data collectors, which they will send to various universal AIs. However, the primary function of the home will remain as a space for families to share experiences and as a breathing space for its inhabitants.