The Bottlenecks to Human Progress

I have long advised nearly two dozen ministries, governments, and institutions around the world, as well as contributing to leading think tanks. I’ve had countless conversations with hundreds of leading minds in various fields, and it’s become increasingly clear that our society is riddled with deep-seated problems, or what I’ve recently come to understand as “bottlenecks. These bottlenecks are preventing us from achieving more optimal solutions and realizing our full potential as a global community.

Because I am obsessed with optimizing complex systems and solving large-scale problems. I believe that understanding the underlying problems is critical to solving them effectively – including First Principles Thinking. For the past two years, I’ve been meticulously working on the outline of my book, which explores these very bottlenecks. Today, I want to share some of my thoughts and insights about the barriers we face as a society. These barriers impede progress, stifle innovation, and create inefficiencies on a massive scale because of their ripple effects throughout the economy, society, and human psychology.

This is not an exhaustive list, and I have tried to make it the special number 13 – because all of these bottlenecks represent an unfortunate combination that slows progress or prevents humanity from achieving a globally inclusive, better future. So now, let me share my thoughts on these metaphorical bottlenecks to our progress and inspire collective action to overcome them. By addressing these issues head on, we can pave the way for a more prosperous and efficient world. We can all #bethechange.

1. Workforce Changes

Problem of Technological Displacement

Automation and AI are transforming industries at an unprecedented rate, leading to significant job displacement. While these technologies increase capital efficiency and overall economic productivity, they also make many traditional jobs obsolete, while offering new economic opportunities. To mitigate the negative effects, it is critical to invest in comprehensive reskilling and upskilling programs to help workers adapt to new roles in the evolving labor market. As the scale of innovation increases, shifts will be faster and more frequent as the half-life of skills becomes shorter.

• Example: Self-driving technology in the transport sector could displace millions of drivers. Workers in these sectors need to be trained in new skills to transition into roles such as fleet management, vehicle maintenance for autonomous systems, or data analysis for transportation logistics.

Gig Economy Consequences

The Internet has given rise to the phenomenon of the gig economy, characterized by freelance and contract work that offers workers flexibility and independence but lacks the stability and benefits associated with traditional employment, especially on a global scale. This new model of work poses challenges in terms of job security, fair wages and access to benefits such as health care, and especially the lack of pension plans, which society has long fought for to protect the population from pension poverty. Policies and frameworks are needed to ensure that gig workers receive adequate protection and benefits, and that the growing flexible workforce also receives social security, otherwise we will create a large-scale economic ripple effect of an aging population that has no pension funds when they retire, which will have immense social impacts in the coming decades.

• Example: Uber and Lyft drivers face uncertainties regarding job security and benefits. Governments can introduce regulations that mandate minimum wage guarantees, health benefits, and contributions to retirement funds for gig workers.

Aging Workforce

Many developed countries face an aging population, and almost all major economies will experience a shrinking workforce over the next 5-20 years, with far-reaching implications for the economy and society. This demographic shift not only puts pressure on social security systems and reduces the labor pool available for economic growth, but also stifles innovation and progress. Strategies to address this issue, such as promoting later retirement, encouraging lifelong learning to keep older workers productive, implementing automation to fill labor gaps, and adopting more inclusive immigration policies to attract younger workers, may work, but will also create major social stress, as especially the younger generation will have to bear most of the associated costs and de-growth, so managing a shrinking economy is still something that is theoretical, but soon needs to be managed, as it goes against the values of (social) capitalism, where unlimited growth is paramount.

• Example: Japan has implemented policies to encourage older individuals to remain in the workforce longer, including retraining programs and incentives for companies that hire older workers.

Youth Unemployment

High youth unemployment rates in many (rural) regions lead to social and economic instability – especially when more social pressure is placed on youth to finance an aging population, higher taxes, and more. Young people often face barriers to entering the labour market due to lack of experience, skills mismatches and inadequate education systems. Low labor force participation slows economic and social growth as these dynamics create social tensions and personal financial constraints. Some solutions to youth unemployment include expanding vocational training, creating more apprenticeships, supporting entrepreneurship programs, and fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry to align curricula with market needs.

• Example: Germany’s dual education system, which combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, has been effective in reducing youth unemployment by ensuring that young people acquire relevant skills and experience.

2. Inequality in Capital and Innovation Distribution

Capital Concentration

Wealth and investment capital are increasingly concentrated in a few regions and among a small group of individuals. Especially with exponential technologies, increasing factor productivity of capital and machines/digital solutions, this becomes a bigger problem. Today, a small team of 10 people can create solutions worth billions, more money than thousands of people will make in their lifetimes. This disparity in value creation leads to a growing concentration of wealth, which in turn limits economic mobility and innovation in under-resourced areas, exacerbating regional and socio-economic inequalities. Policies that incentivize investment in underrepresented regions and among diverse populations are essential to promoting inclusive growth.

• Example: Initiatives like Opportunity Zones in the United States aim to spur investment in economically distressed communities by offering tax incentives to investors.

Innovation Hubs and Monopolies

Innovation and technological progress are often concentrated in large urban centers (and limited to a few centers), leaving rural areas and smaller towns behind. This urban-rural and “winners and non-winners” divide limits the potential for widespread economic development and innovation. It is important to understand that strong capital and innovation ecosystems can foster innovation, but a monopolistic or oligopolistic structure of such ecosystems can have the opposite effect – creating monopolistic behavior that increases the output of one or a few players at the expense of other participants. Strategies to decentralize innovation include establishing regional innovation hubs, providing grants and subsidies to rural entrepreneurs, and improving digital infrastructure in underserved areas.

• Example: Silicon Valley vs. rural innovation deserts. While Silicon Valley thrives as a global tech hub, many rural areas lack the resources and infrastructure to support similar innovation ecosystems, and companies and investors typically seek the “winning region” because they cannot be everywhere.

Unequal Access to Funding

Financial markets often make or break innovation and ideas. This gap is not only a natural fluctuation over time, but also a divide. For example, startups and businesses in less connected or rural areas often struggle to access the venture capital, talent, ideas and other resources they need to innovate effectively, but also to scale innovation. This lack of financial support stifles innovation and economic growth in general, and it is a global problem. Local or regional initiatives attempt to provide funding opportunities outside of the major hubs and outside of upswings, but often fall short, and the discrepancy between a “winning idea in innovation hubs” and a “winning idea in a non-innovation hub” is significant. Ideas to mitigate these effects include the creation of regional venture funds, counter-cyclical government-backed loans and grants, and fostering angel investor networks in underserved areas while creating more international connections and visibility.

• Example: The UK’s British Business Bank supports small businesses across the country by providing access to finance through various programs and partnerships.

3. Global Trade Barriers

Tariffs and Trade Wars

One of the biggest obstacles to innovation and progress is always populism, especially when coupled with protectionism. Protectionist policies, including tariffs and trade wars, disrupt global supply chains, raise costs for businesses and consumers, and hinder economic growth and the exchange of ideas. International cooperation and multilateral agreements are essential to reducing trade barriers, fostering open markets, and promoting fair trade practices. This is especially true if we are to address global issues such as poverty, economic inclusion, migration, environmental impacts, and the future of humanity as a whole.

• Example: Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have had a significant impact on the global technology and manufacturing sectors, resulting in increased costs and uncertainty for companies, as well as inefficiencies due to the inability to leverage economies of scale.

Regulatory Differences

Differences in regulations and standards across countries create significant barriers to global business operations and the adoption of innovation and much-needed change. These differences can lead to increased costs, compliance challenges, market entry delays, and many other complications. Especially for globally needed innovations for social impact and the environment, we need to find a way to harmonize standards and regulations, along with mutual recognition agreements, to facilitate smoother international trade and business operations.

• Example: The European Union’s efforts to harmonize regulations across member states have made it easier for businesses to operate within the EU’s single market. While this works within the EU, it also creates global inefficiencies with other nations.

Lack of Logistics, Energy, Infrastructure

Inadequate infrastructure in developing countries limits their ability to participate effectively in global trade. The Global South in particular continues to struggle with limited or no access to basic infrastructure, including digital infrastructure. Poor transportation networks, unreliable energy supplies, and especially the lack of modern digital infrastructure hinder economic growth and development. Investment in global infrastructure, including roads, ports, (renewable) energy networks, and digital connectivity, is critical to support trade and economic activity, but also to help them develop rapidly to participate in global problem solving and to tap into their untapped innovation capacity.

• Example: China’s Belt and Road Initiative aims to improve infrastructure and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa, enhancing trade and economic integration.

4. Political Ideologies and Inefficiencies

Partisan Politics

Political polarization, “old friends” and the “lobby system” lead to gridlock and inefficient governance at multiple levels. These dynamics within the political system often make it difficult to pass essential reforms and policies on a larger scale, hindering social and economic progress. This not only hampers economic growth and social impact, but also sometimes creates a backlash against innovation when conservative forces actively fight progress. Promoting bipartisan and cross-party cooperation and fostering a culture of effective governance are essential to addressing complex challenges and implementing long-term strategies.

• Example: US Congress gridlock on major policy reforms, such as healthcare and immigration, hampers progress and creates uncertainties for businesses and citizens.

Ideological Constraints

Rigid adherence to ideological positions can prevent pragmatic problem-solving and hinder the adoption of effective policies. “Beliefs” are where knowledge ends – so, especially in the political arena, we should encourage more evidence-based policies and less ideological debate. Especially in a world where more and more information is trackable, traceable and observable, we have much better insights into the economy, society and beyond. Encouraging flexible, evidence-based policy-making that prioritizes practical solutions over ideological purity is critical to addressing today’s challenges.

• Example: Climate change policies often face resistance due to ideological divides. Bridging these divides with science-based, cross-party approaches can lead to more effective environmental policies.

Populism and Nationalism

The rise of populist and nationalist movements is disrupting global cooperation and encouraging protectionism. These movements often prioritize short-term national interests over long-term global stability and cooperation. Fostering a global community mindset and standing together for the benefits of global cooperation are essential to addressing transnational challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality.

• Example: Brexit has created significant uncertainty and disruption in trade, migration and regulatory alignment between the UK and the EU. With rising nationalist sentiment, this will be seen in many other regions.

5. Personal Constraints and Market Behavior

Self-Interest and Corruption

As is often the case, one of the most limiting factors to progress is the people involved. Personal gain can lead to unethical behavior and market inefficiencies, and is responsible for almost all of the inefficiencies in our world. One of the most prominent examples is corruption, which undermines trust in institutions, distorts markets, and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations. Strengthening regulations, increasing transparency, and enforcing global laws to combat issues such as corruption, collusion, and other measures are essential to ensuring fair and efficient markets, which in turn will increase the impact of innovation and thus our progress as a human race.

• Example: Corruption in public procurement can lead to inflated costs and substandard services, as seen in various infrastructure projects worldwide.

Anti-Tech Movements

People often fear “the new new,” so it is not surprising that the anti-tech movement reflects growing skepticism and resistance to rapid technological progress, due to concerns about job displacement, invasion of privacy, digital addiction, and the concentration of power in the hands of tech giants. As populism grows, as well as the political influence and personal gain of politicians who jump on the anti-tech bandwagon, it becomes a larger problem for technology adoption worldwide.

• Example: Delays in 5G rollout due to health and privacy concerns have hindered the potential benefits of faster, more reliable internet connectivity.

Market Manipulation

Unfair practices such as monopolies, insider trading and price-fixing stifle competition and harm consumers. Especially with the rise of digital ecosystems, large global platforms, and especially digital technologies that can scale quickly and at minimal marginal cost, it is important to understand these dynamics, as monopolistic behavior stifles innovation, blocks competition, and thus slows the progress of the entire system. Promoting transparency, enforcing antitrust laws and ensuring fair competition are necessary to create a level playing field for all market participants.

• Example: Tech giants like Google and Facebook have faced antitrust investigations for practices that potentially harm competition and consumer choice.

Short-termism

A focus on short-term profits over long-term sustainability leads to sub-optimal decisions and undermines future prosperity. In particular, with different forces at work, from stakeholders to shareholders, from financial instruments to global interests, there is a growing disconnect between the “financial game” and the “global vision. While it is easy to say that long-term planning, sustainable investment practices and corporate responsibility should be important, this clashes with the reality of short-term interests, where people prefer short-term gains to long-term impact. This can be seen across industries, throughout history, and in experiments in human psychology. So we need to find the right solutions to create tools that provide short-term gains for long-term goals.

• Example: Companies prioritizing quarterly earnings reports may neglect investments in research and development, employee training, and sustainability initiatives.

6. Innovation Ecosystem Barriers

Lack of Support

Innovation often stalls due to inadequate ecosystem support or hidden interests in these ecosystems. This is especially true in rural and less developed areas. These regions often lack the necessary infrastructure, mentorship, and networks that are critical to nurturing innovative ideas and startups, hindering progress and innovation at the root. The development of robust (international) support systems, including innovation hubs and platforms, global incubators and accelerators, can help bridge this gap and foster innovation everywhere.

• Example: Rural entrepreneurs often struggle to find local mentors and investors. Establishing regional innovation hubs can provide the necessary resources and support.

Special Economic Zones lead to a “Race to the bottom”

While many economies around the world are establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to promote innovation and stimulate regional development, they also create disparities and bottlenecks to broader economic growth by creating a two-tier system within the region. SEZs often concentrate resources and benefits in certain areas, leaving others behind – combined with tax incentives, this can even lead to unfair advantages for economic zones, while the rest have to pay. More equitable policies that ensure a more balanced distribution of development and prevent over-concentration of benefits. And companies operating in these zones may benefit, they may grow faster, but the region itself may have to suffer as a result – creating a race to the bottom between economic zones, governments and regions.

• Example: China’s SEZs have driven significant growth, but have also contributed to regional disparities. Tax incentives lead to higher taxes outside the SEZs, resulting in unequal distribution of value and economic and social participation.

Lack of Innovation Accessibility

High costs and barriers to entry limit access to innovation and adoption, especially for start-ups and small businesses in underserved regions who may find it difficult to afford innovation and participate in innovative technologies. Reducing these barriers through subsidies, grants, and affordable access to resources can democratize innovation and allow a wider range of participants to contribute, adopt, and experience it, regardless of their means.

• Example: High costs of laboratory equipment and research facilities can be prohibitive and give higher income countries an advantage as the relative costs are lower. Governments and private sectors can collaborate to provide affordable access to these resources.

Technical failures and delays

There is nothing worse than trying to bring something new to market, building anticipation, and then experiencing failures or delays. This can slow progress and become an industry-wide bottleneck on a large scale. The truth is, technological innovation is often hampered by failures and delays that can come from a variety of sources, including technical challenges, lack of infrastructure, or regulatory hurdles. These setbacks can slow the development and deployment of new technologies, resulting in missed opportunities for growth and progress. Ensuring a robust and supportive environment that addresses these challenges is essential to minimize delays and keep innovation on track, but the reality is that there are too many moving parts to make any system perfect.

• Example: Electric vehicle (EV) adoption has been delayed in many regions due to inadequate charging infrastructure and slow regulatory approval processes. This is now being used as an argument against EVs, portraying them as a failed technology.

7. Misinformation And Free Speech

Misinformation

The spread of false information and negative social effects, such as conspiracy theories, hinders the adoption of innovations on a large scale. In extreme cases, it can increase societal tensions and even lead to widespread hatred – as is well illustrated by green energy technologies. Misinformation can undermine public trust in scientific progress, government policies, and innovation – costing years of progress, adoption, and advancement, or even preventing such progress altogether. Improving media literacy, promoting fact-checking, and developing robust information verification systems are critical to combating misinformation, but education has always been key to such development.

• Example: Greentech misinformation has led to green energy and mobility hesitancy, impacting public efforts and policies globally.

Censorship and Free Speech

Balancing the regulation of misinformation with the protection of free speech is a delicate task, as we have seen in recent years and especially after the large-scale experiment of Elon Musk and his Twitter/X “experiment”. Overly restrictive measures can stifle legitimate discourse and thus exchange and free speech. And we have seen that innovation requires the free exchange of information. So while insufficient regulation can allow harmful misinformation to spread and hate speech to flourish, which also limits growth and prosperity, it cannot go too far, as people then feel oppressed and it gives more room for conspiracy theories and other social inefficiencies. Creating balanced policies that protect free speech while combating misinformation is essential, but depending on the time and situation, it is an almost impossible and “fluid” task.

• Example: Social media platforms face challenges in moderating content without infringing on free speech rights – Twitter/X challenge.

8. Resource Access and Digital Divide

Unequal Resource Distribution

Access to essential resources such as water, energy and education is unequally distributed across regions and demographic groups, and we have known this since the dawn of humanity. While a lack of resources can lead to more innovation, in today’s world a lack of resources usually means a lack of competitiveness, which accelerates inequality, exacerbates poverty, and limits opportunities for growth and development. Policies that ensure equitable access to these resources are necessary to promote inclusive growth. A more equitable global distribution of access to basic resources is therefore essential if we are to move forward as a human race and unleash the full potential of over 8 billion potential change-makers.

• Example: Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges in access to clean water and reliable energy, hampering development prospects and reducing opportunities for innovation by failing to meet basic needs.

Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technologies and those who do not. This growing divide limits global opportunities for education, economic participation and social inclusion. Expanding digital infrastructure and providing affordable access to technology are critical steps in bridging this gap.

• Example: Many rural areas in developing countries lack broadband access, limiting their ability to participate in the digital economy and take advantage of scalable technologies.

9. Social Cohesion and Tax Evasion

Social Cohesion

Lack of (global) unity, and especially rapidly eroding social trust, hinders collective progress and fosters division. Such division not only fuels the demographic crisis, leading to more self-centered behavior and lower birth rates, but also creates negative social dynamics. Building stronger community ties and increasing social trust are essential for cohesive societies that can work together to meet challenges and seize opportunities. Particularly for large-scale economic and social change, good social cohesion is necessary for faster dissemination and diffusion of ideas and actions.

• Example: Community-building and grassroots initiatives, such as local (theme) events and participatory governance, can strengthen social cohesion.

Tax Evasion and Erosion

Global (elite) mobility and sophisticated (corporate) financial strategies allow individuals and corporations to evade taxes, increasing the burden on low-income earners and reducing government revenues for essential services. As it becomes easier to accumulate wealth, easier to have extreme wealth, and much easier for individuals to be completely globally mobile with their tax residency and work, states often experience not only a brain drain but also a capital drain. In recent years, it has been observed that large platforms like Facebook, Google, etc. can extract immense sums from economies while creating almost zero taxes in the country and almost zero jobs. This one-way economy creates tax revenue constraints for the countries that lose value – Tax Erosion. With a global push for a minimum tax, international cooperation to combat tax evasion and ensure fair taxation, this could be a solution, but as long as there are countries that are now playing by the rules, the global race to the bottom will continue.

• Example: Multinational corporations often use tax havens to reduce their tax liabilities, depriving governments of much-needed revenue.

Income Inequality

Rising income inequality affects social stability and economic growth. In particular, finding global solutions becomes more difficult as large inequalities also lead to an accumulation of power and representation. We see this from political interests (lobbying) to the influence of individuals on business and politics. High levels of inequality can lead to social unrest and reduce overall economic mobility, thus limiting the overall progress of humanity. Policies that promote fair income distribution, such as progressive taxation and social safety nets, are crucial to fostering a more equitable society.

• Example: The wealth gap in many countries has been widening, leading to increased calls for policies that address economic inequality.

10. Global Migration and Talent Oligopolies

Migration Barriers

In a world of technology, remote work and opportunity, migration is easier. Brain drain is becoming a problem for less developed countries, but restrictive immigration policies also limit the flow of talent and skills to centers of innovation, hindering global progress as a whole. Facilitating global talent mobility through more inclusive immigration policies can spur innovation and economic growth, but it also has spillover effects on less developed economies.

• Example: H1-B visa restrictions in the U.S. affect the inflow of skilled technology workers, but at the same time, H1-B visas have attracted talent that has impacted the country’s ability to innovate but led to a brain drain in other economies.

Talent Oligopolies

The concentration of innovation and technological progress in a few regions limits global progress and creates disparities, especially in the competition for talent. The so-called “brain drain” is becoming a growing problem, especially for less developed countries and regions with lower concentrations of innovation funding. Encouraging the development of innovation ecosystems in diverse regions can spread the benefits of technological progress more widely.

• Example: Silicon Valley and a few other tech hubs dominate the global innovation landscape, attracting talent from around the world that is then lacking in local economies or innovation hubs – leading to a widening gap with other regions that are left behind.

11. Systems, Incubement and Old Narratives

Disconnected Systems

Siloed solutions and disconnected systems impede systemic progress and create inefficiencies. In particular, the urge to create new systems without reusing them creates inefficiencies at scale. Promoting integration and interoperability of systems across sectors and regions is essential to maximize the benefits of innovation and ensure coherent development.

• Example: Fragmented healthcare systems can lead to inefficiencies and gaps in patient care. Integrated care models can improve health outcomes and reduce costs by ensuring continuity of care.

Outdated Narratives

Old beliefs and narratives can hinder the acceptance of new ideas and technologies, limiting progress and innovation at scale. In a world that has been completely transformed in the last 10 years by the widespread adoption of handheld technologies, we have seen that old narratives and beliefs from the time before it happened still exist. This systematic disconnect leads to large-scale inefficiencies. We can also see it with the love affair with agriculture, even though it only contributes less than 1-5% of global GDP in the minds of many, it is still the “backbone” of the economy, and such narratives and beliefs drive large scale inefficiencies. Promoting updated narratives that embrace change and technological advancement is critical to fostering an environment conducive to innovation.

• Example: Traditional views on education and employment may not align with the realities of a digital economy. Emphasizing lifelong learning and flexibility can help individuals adapt to the changing job market.

Incubement Resistance to Change

A general “resistance to change” is certainly a factor that slows progress, but it is also a factor that varies across the world, cultures, and regions, and it is a major impediment to innovation and progress. But especially the incubators, the big players who have the most power, are the ones who have the most vested interest in slowing down change. Encouraging and building a culture on a larger scale that embraces change and innovation, and providing the necessary support and resources to manage transitions, is essential to any progress. This should also be an issue for education and entrepreneurship training, as it will become a critical part of society and the economy.

• Example: Companies often resist adopting new technologies due to fear of disruption (Innovators Dilemma). Providing training and support can help ease the transition and highlight the benefits of innovation.

12. Security Bias and Risk Aversion

Risk Aversion as the New Normal

We have never lived in a time with less to fear, and we are all living longer than many generations ever imagined. Yet we have a widespread “fear and panic” about security. What I call “a hyperfocus on security and stability” can stifle risk-taking and innovation because it implicitly implies something unknown that needs to be tested, and testing is by definition risky. While security is important, it is critical to balance it with openness to experimentation and change. This is largely a societal phenomenon, and therefore education at scale is needed to counter the current societal trajectory of becoming completely risk averse. Creating an environment that tolerates calculated risk and encourages innovation is essential for progress and can help not only schools, but also businesses and ultimately human progress.

• Example: Overly stringent regulations on data security can hinder the development of innovative data-driven solutions. Balancing security with flexibility can promote innovation while protecting privacy.

Reactive Policies blocking Proactive Policies

Government has many roles, and one of the most pressing roles is to manage externalities and form reactive policies in times of crisis or inefficiency. But if done wrong, this reactive approach can lead to long-term inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Regular policy review and a more proactive approach to policymaking are needed to respond more quickly to global challenges. Especially in times when global action is needed, a more proactive policy style can have far-reaching consequences. Proactive and resilient planning that anticipates and prepares for potential challenges and crises without stifling innovation is crucial, but again it is a balancing act of steering and not oversteering.

• Example: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for proactive public health planning and robust crisis management systems. Developing resilient infrastructures can mitigate the impact of future crises.

Conclusion on the unlucky 13

We have a monumental task ahead of us. The world is inherently complex, with layers of underlying systems and overarching human interests. Identifying all the necessary inputs, outputs, and throughputs of such an intricate system is challenging. However, it is critical that we never lose sight of the big picture and remember what we are fighting for. Humanity has faced numerous difficulties, yet our collective desire for progress, better lives, and greater inclusiveness remains undiminished.

Despite the obstacles and bottlenecks we face, history has shown that there are always individuals who stand up for better solutions, who take risks and make decisions not just for their own benefit, but for the greater good. These pioneers drive us forward and demonstrate that positive change is possible even in the face of adversity.

When managing highly complex systems such as social and economic progress, it is easy to get lost in philosophical debates and lose sight of actionable solutions. But with a deeper understanding of our world, we can develop better models and more effective solutions. The technologies we are developing today have the potential to create impact on an unprecedented scale, driving change at an unprecedented pace and scale.

As we continue to navigate this complex landscape, let us remain committed to progress, inclusivity, and the betterment of all. By embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, we can overcome the bottlenecks that hold us back and pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future.

Benjamin Talin

Benjamin Talin, a serial entrepreneur since the age of 13, is the founder and CEO of MoreThanDigital, a global initiative providing access to topics of the future. As an influential keynote speaker, he shares insights on innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and has advised governments, EU commissions, and ministries on education, innovation, economic development, and digitalization. With over 400 publications, 200 international keynotes, and numerous awards, Benjamin is dedicated to changing the status quo through technology and innovation. #bethechange Stay tuned for MoreThanDigital Insights - Coming soon!