Amy Webb

Amy Webb is an American futurist, author, and founder of the Future Today Institute (FTI), specialising in strategic foresight. Webb began her career as a journalist, working for publications like The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.

In 2006, she established FTI, which helps organisations anticipate and manage future challenges through a data-driven foresight methodology. She is the creator of the annual Tech Trend Report, a comprehensive analysis of future technologies. Webb is also a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, where she developed a course on strategic foresight.

Webb is recognised globally for her work. She was ranked the #4 management thinker in 2023 by Thinkers50 and featured on the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2020. She has been a member of advisory boards for the World Economic Forum, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Webb also co-founded Spark Camp, an initiative promoting innovation and collaboration.

She is the author of several books, including The Signals Are Talking and The Big Nine, which addresses topics like artificial intelligence and technology’s impact on society. Her 2022 book, The Genesis Machine, explores synthetic biology and its implications. These works have been translated into multiple languages and earned several awards.

Webb’s TED Talk on data has over 8 million views, highlighting her expertise in emerging technologies. She continues to advise policymakers globally and advocate for ethical standards in AI and technology. Webb lives in New York City and Baltimore with her husband and daughter.

Born on October 18, 1974, in East Chicago, Indiana, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, economics, and game theory from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Amy Webb, born on October 18, 1974, in East Chicago, Indiana, is an American futurist, author, and thought leader in strategic foresight. She grew up in Indiana and initially pursued classical clarinet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music before shifting her focus to political science, economics, and game theory, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1997. She later moved to Japan, working as a freelance journalist and English teacher. In 2001, she completed a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

Webb began her career as a journalist, covering technology and economics for The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. In 2006, she founded the Future Today Institute (FTI), a consultancy specialising in strategic foresight, helping organisations navigate future risks and opportunities. FTI is renowned for its annual Tech Trend Report, which provides insights into emerging technologies and their societal impact.

As a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, Webb developed and teaches an MBA course on strategic foresight. Her contributions extend to the World Economic Forum, where she serves on multiple advisory boards, and to the Council on Foreign Relations, where she is a life member. Webb has also worked with policymakers in the U.S. and abroad, including the White House, the European Union, and the United Nations, on issues like AI ethics and future governance.

Webb has authored several books. Her memoir Data, A Love Story (2013) explores her experiences with online dating. The Signals Are Talking (2016) explains her foresight methodology, while The Big Nine (2019) analyses the impact of AI on society. Her 2022 book, The Genesis Machine, examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. These books have been widely translated and recognised with multiple awards.

Webb is currently the CEO of FTI, a professor at NYU, and an advisor to global organisations on strategic foresight. She resides in New York City and Baltimore with her husband and daughter.

Amy Webb envisions a future where organisations and societies proactively prepare for emerging challenges through strategic foresight. She believes in using data-driven methodologies to identify risks and opportunities early, enabling informed decision-making that benefits humanity. Her vision includes fostering global collaboration on ethical standards for artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and other transformative technologies. Webb aims to equip leaders with the tools to navigate uncertainty, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience. Through her work at the Future Today Institute and contributions to academia, policy, and industry, she strives to shape a future that is inclusive, innovative, and prepared for change.

Amy Webb has received numerous accolades for her contributions to strategic foresight and emerging technologies. She was ranked the #4 management thinker globally by Thinkers50 in 2023 and featured in their 2021 and 2017 lists. Webb won the Thinkers50 Radar Award in 2017 and the Gold Axiom Medal for her books The Big Nine and The Genesis Machine. She was included in the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2020 and named one of Forbes' “Five Women Changing the World.” Her TED Talk has over 8 million views, and her work has been recognised by leading global institutions and organisations.