What Global Leaders Need to Understand About AI, SynBio, and Building Better Futures
Key Takeaways from the Kearney CEO Retreat
Image credits: Hunter Scott | Unsplash
In June I had the incredible privilege of contributing to the 2025 Kearney Global Business Policy Council CEO Retreat. A remarkable group of 80+ thought leaders, experts in public policy, and global executives gathered in Italy for several days of strategic foresight, with a focus on geopolitics.
Why Now Matters
Given the headlines these days, it won’t surprise you to learn that most of the event’s conversations centered on the core idea that the future is likely to be quite different from the past. China is leading the rise of an increasingly multipolar world. Europe is confronting an uncertain future. The United States is becoming less and less predictable or reliable. As our retreat was taking place, volatility in the Middle East skyrocketed. And don’t forget that technological acceleration—from synthetic biology to AI and more—is throwing more fuel on the fires driving a world that is more dynamic, more complex, and
SynBio Is the Next Big Thing (Leaders Need to Get Ready)
Image credits: Google DeepMind | Unsplash
I was invited to this event to share my perspectives about synthetic biology: challenges, opportunities, and why I think every business should be considering synbio as a potential part of its future. The conversation ended up going deep into the intersection between AI and synbio (summary: amazing + terrifying). My main call to action? The coming biotech revolution is going to be even more transformative than today’s AI revolution. That’s right: things are only going to get crazier from here.
So what are we to do? As individuals, as business leaders, and as communities?
Here are a few of my key takeaways from the event:
💡 What’s gotten us to today will not get us to a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow.
All around the world, we seem to be witnessing a general decline of the liberal order, the rule of law, and the least conflict-ridden period in recent history. That means that we need new frameworks, new mindsets, and new ways of showing up in an increasingly chaotic and unpredictable world.
We especially need to renew our commitment to setting aside time and resources for strategic thinking—and decision making—around possible futures. None of this is going to be easy. But we simply cannot afford to stand aside.
💡 Some level of tech fluency is really, really important, particularly around AI.
I was alarmed by confusion and misunderstanding around the basics of AI, including a lack of understanding (and mixing up) of terms like “generative AI”, “artificial general intelligence”, and “general AI.” [I don’t think the last one is actually a thing, by the way.]
You cannot afford to ignore these things—or trust other people to understand them—if you want agency in the future that is coming. And you should want agency!
💡Culture is key.
Image credits: Jirayu Koontholjinda | Unsplash
The tech industry often gets dinged for its Pollyanna-style relentless optimism about the future. But it’s incredibly easy to let uncertainty slide remorselessly into despair, especially with regard to geopolitical uncertainty in the coming decades. Yes, things are probably going to get a lot worse before they get better. We can either moan and sit on our hands, or we can show up, every single day.
I choose the latter. I hope you will, too.
💡 Now more than ever, we need leaders.
If we are going to build futures characterized by resilience, agility, and responses rather than reactions, then we need new generations of leaders. Leaders who meld ruthless analytic minds with the courage and compassion to do what’s right instead of what’s easy or profitable. Leaders who don’t just save themselves (and their tribe) when the going gets hard, but take the long view of what’s possible … and are ready to do the gritty thinking on how to get there. Oh, and bring others along with them, with integrity and transparency.
How Will You Show Up?
It looks like business as usual is over, friends. How are you going to show up in the coming years and decades?
PS I am deeply grateful to Kearney, the Global Business Policy Council, Erik Peterson, and Alison MacDougall for inviting me to this truly remarkable gathering. I’m looking forward to supporting this global community in striving for peace and prosperity in the coming years.
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About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and collaboration opportunities, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
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