Erica Orange

Erica Orange is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, a leading futurist consulting firm. For nearly two decades, she has been evaluating emerging trends in areas such as social, technological, economic, political, demographic, and environmental spheres. Her key role is identifying the strategic implications of these trends for a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and public sector organizations.

Erica is widely recognised for her ability to think critically and identify actionable strategies that help businesses and organisations leverage global trends for growth. She is a sought-after speaker and has delivered over 250 keynote presentations at conferences worldwide, including events across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Her insights have been featured in well-known media outlets such as Forbes, NPR, Time, Bloomberg, and CBS This Morning. In 2020, she was named one of the world's 50 Top Female Futurists by Forbes.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Erica has authored various industry white papers and articles, providing thought leadership on topics related to future trends and technological advancements. Her latest book, AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth, published in 2024, explores how generative AI can enhance human creativity and calls for embedding human oversight and judgement into AI development.

Erica Orange is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, a renowned futurist consulting firm based in New York City. The company is one of the world’s leading authorities on identifying and analysing long-term trends that impact various sectors, including business, government, and non-profit organisations. In her role, Erica evaluates emerging trends across social, technological, economic, political, demographic, and environmental domains and translates these insights into actionable strategies for her clients, which include several influential Fortune 500 companies.

With nearly two decades of experience, Erica has established herself as a key figure in futurist consulting, helping organisations navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global environment. She focuses on identifying the "so what?" implications of trends, offering strategic guidance to clients to leverage these changes for future growth and competitiveness. Her work spans multiple industries, including technology, finance, and retail, and she has advised a broad range of public and private sector clients. Her ability to critically analyse patterns and trends has made her a trusted voice in the field.

Erica is also a highly sought-after keynote speaker, having delivered presentations at over 250 conferences around the globe. Her speaking engagements span continents, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where she shares her insights on global trends and the future landscape of industries. She has spoken at prestigious events such as TEDx and conferences hosted by organisations like L’Oreal, Mastercard, and BNP Paribas.

Erica’s thought leadership extends beyond speaking engagements. She has authored numerous industry white papers and articles, providing in-depth analyses of future-oriented topics. Her insights have been featured in several major media outlets, including Forbes, NPR, Time, Wired, Bloomberg, and CBS This Morning. In recognition of her contributions to the field of futurism, Forbes named her one of the world’s 50 Top Female Futurists in 2020.

In addition to her work at The Future Hunters, Erica is the author of AI + The New Human Frontier: Reimagining the Future of Time, Trust + Truth, published by Wiley in March 2024. The book explores the potential of generative AI to enhance human creativity and innovation. It argues that while AI can handle routine tasks, the core elements of human intelligence, such as critical thinking and empathy, are irreplaceable and will become more valuable as technology evolves. Erica advocates for embedding human oversight and judgement into AI development, ensuring that these tools are used to augment human capabilities rather than replace them.

Earlier in her career, Erica worked as an assistant to the Director at the Congressional E9-1-1 Institute, an organisation that supported the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus, focusing on emergency response issues.

Erica Orange envisions a future where emerging technologies, such as AI and automation, serve as tools to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. She believes in fostering a balance between technological innovation and human-centric values like critical thinking, empathy, and creativity. Her focus is on helping organisations navigate these transformations by embedding trust and oversight into the development of advanced technologies. Erica’s vision is to guide businesses and societies in harnessing global trends for sustainable growth while maintaining a human-first approach in an increasingly digital world.

Erica Orange has received numerous accolades throughout her career for her expertise in futurist consulting and global trends analysis. In 2020, Forbes recognised her as one of the world’s 50 Top Female Futurists, highlighting her contributions to shaping the future landscape for organisations worldwide. Her work has also been featured in prominent media outlets such as Forbes, NPR, Time, Wired, and Bloomberg. Her thought leadership, including keynote presentations and publications, continues to be acknowledged by both industry peers and global audiences.