top of page

Ordinary mornings in 2042

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

Ordinary mornings in 2042

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

7am, March 28th 2042:
My personal assistant wakes me up with my favorite workday song and turns on the coffee machine. An ordinary alarm clock would perfectly do the job, but the automatic coffee machine is convenient after all.
While I brush my teeth, my personal assistant displays daily news on the mirror in front of me. Scientists came up with a new way to efficiently store an infinite amount of energy. I guess we are close to reaching complete carbon-neutrality for electricity production (8 years ahead of the plan!).
The next article reports that the 4-day workweek which was implemented in the EU in 2035 shows promising results. People started exercising more, spent more time with their families, attended more cultural events and participated more in local politics. I would tend to confirm it in my own case.
The following article reports how the unified EU-wide social security system enables workers to swiftly move from one country to another with significantly less paperwork and administrative hurdles. I always wondered why it was not implemented earlier.
The next article discusses an ongoing problem in our society. Biotechnology has enabled humans to amplify their physical and cognitive abilities. These technologies became increasingly affordable (though still quite expensive), and it led to a dualistic society. I keep asking myself what we can do about it, probably nothing. We made a lot of progress in guaranteeing and protecting freedoms to choose our life paths, education, careers, whom we love, how we dress, which god we worship and so on and so on. I guess choosing to enhance our abilities is also part of these choices.
The last topic of my daily news review concerns the increase of retirement age. Apparently it's a side effect of the 4-day workweek. I guess I won't be retired before 2085 or something… But at least most bullshit jobs have been taken over by AI and automated systems and I have all the freedom to choose a professional activity that fulfills my life goals.

related stories

hallo
Il mondo che vorrei
In 2040, medicine is technologically advanced, pollution is greatly reduced. There are no limits and barriers, all men are equal, whether black or white. Women have the same rights and possibilities as men. Respect for every living being prevails.
hallo
Kurztrip zum Mond
I imagine that in 2025 I will be able to take a spontaneous day trip to the moon with my family. There we can experience the wonders of weightlessness and enjoy a fantastic view of the blue planet, our home, from above. Such a short break far above our usual hemisphere is a very special experience.
hallo
Ein Tag im Europa des Jahres 2050
The morning sun bathes the Berlin skyline in a golden light. I open the windows of my energy self-sufficient apartment - built from recycled materials, climate-neutral and fully connected. My personal AI assistant suggests sustainable options for the day: An appointment with an international team in a virtual conference environment, followed by a visit to the urban garden on the roof of our apartment complex. Europe has changed fundamentally since 2025. The transition to a circular economy has been accelerated by political decisions and fossil fuels have long been a thing of the past. Thanks to new technologies and AI-supported automation, society is more flexible and fairer. Education is digital, individualized and available throughout life. Social security systems guarantee a decent life for all. Vehicles drive silently and autonomously on the roads. Public transportation is free, financed by a Europe-wide digital tax. The air is clean, green parks dot the cities. I meet up with friends in a café where food waste no longer exists - everything is used sustainably. As I enjoy the view, I think about the challenges that Europe has overcome: Climate change, social inequality and economic disruption. But by acting together, we have created a future that is more sustainable, fairer and more liveable - for all Europeans.
hallo
Un avenir inclusif et solidaire
In 2040, I'd like to see a world where education is truly inclusive and values all pathways, especially vocational education. A system where every student finds his or her place and develops his or her talents, with no hierarchy between streams. Inequalities in access to culture and healthcare would be reduced thanks to ambitious policies. Preventive health care would be a priority, with fair treatment for all. Finally, society would be more ecological, with responsible consumer choices and technological advances serving the common good. A fairer, more united and more respectful world.
Join #OurFutures now!

The future is shaped by our ideas and our actions today. Tell us about your visions of the future and help us create a futures narrative aimed at inspiring citizens, policy-makers and foresight experts alike!

Our-futures-banner-coloured_v3.jpg

The European Commission support does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.

ERA_logo.jpg

We support the European Research Area aimed at creating a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology in the EU.

©OurFutures 2025, All rights reserved.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
bottom of page