Skip navigation.
The Institute for the Future (IFTF) is an independent, nonprofit research group with nearly 40 years of forecasting experience. The core of our work is identifying emerging trends and discontinuities that will transform global society and the global marketplace. We provide insights into business strategy, design process, innovation, and social dilemmas. Our research generates the foresight needed to create insights that lead to action. Our research spans a broad territory of deeply transformative trends, from health and health care to technology, the workplace, and human identity. The Institute for the Future is located in Palo Alto, CA.
FEATURE
IFTF at Bay Area Maker Faire 2008

IFTF at Bay Area Maker Faire 2008

Last weekend, makers from around the world gathered in San Mateo for the 3rd annual Bay Area Maker Faire. Institute for the Future's Daily Future, a future-headline newsstand, was awarded an editor's choice blue ribbon!

Read more >

Blogs

05.09.08
By Vivian Distler in Health Horizons
anytime anyplace health, mobile health

Have cell phone, will get medical care

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a Business Week headline that warmed the cockles of my Health Horizons blogger heart: "Medical Advances--Through Your iPhone?" The article describes several mobile phone health apps.

Read more >
05.09.08
By Jamais Cascio in Ten-Year Forecast
resilience, web 2.0

Workbook in Resilience Assessment -- the Wiki

The Resilience Alliance, an organization promoting the study and support of social and environmental resilience, has converted its Resilience Assessment Workbooks into wiki format. According to the alliance's Allyson Quinlan, 

Read more >
05.07.08
By Jess Hemerly in The Future Now Blog
futureofmusic, music, zune

Will sociability make Zune cool?

With the rise of recommendation-based music discovery systems like Last.fm and iLike, and the increased importance of friends and contacts as trusted recommendation sources and filters, music discovery is more social than ever. In an attempt to compete with Apple's iPod success, Microsoft has announced that it will release a portable subscription card for its Zune players. Users had recommendation functionality in the past, but it was accessible only through the website. With the portable card, Zune users can share their favorites with other Zune users.

Read more >
Staff spotlight
Jan English-Lueck's picture

Jan English-Lueck | Research Affiliate

Institute for the Future
Read more >
Vivian Distler's picture

Vivian Distler | Research Editor, Health Horizons Program

Institute for the Future

Vivian brings to the Health Horizons Program extensive experience as a researcher, editor, and project manager. She has also worked in the health care field, primarily in pediatrics. Her interests in health care are focused on the provision of services to children, both regionally and globally, and in terms of well-child, acute care and palliative care. Vivian graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in broadcasting & film and a B.A. in history. She also has a J.D.

Read more >