By Carissa Véliz,  Associate Professor, University of Oxford
Our world is increasingly ruled by prophecy. These days, we prefer talking about forecasting, but even if the techniques have changed – we no longer look for glimpses of the future in animal entrails or stars but in algorithms – and prophets have changed their job titles – from oracles to astrologers, and from social scientists to computer scientists and tech executives – the political function of prediction remains the same.

By Stefan Wintels, CEO, KfW Bankengruppe
Germany has an impressive scientific base and ranks among the world’s best in many fields of research. Spending on research and development is high, the quality of basic research is internationally recognized, the number of patent applications is considerable, and
Germany regularly ranks near the top of innovation indices.

Hannibal’s elephants changed the war.
So did tanks. Powerful, impressive, impossible to ignore.

But in modern conflict, size is no longer an advantage.
Europe’s legacy systems are easy to spot, slow to deploy,
and expensive to maintain.

The war in Ukraine shows: agility, speed, and smart,
networked systems rule.
Yet we continue to invest billions in outdated platforms —
despite a growing threat from Russia.

It’s now or never! Complacency leads to extinction.

By Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing
Board and CEO Digital Industries, Siemens

“I don’t think we’ve even seen the tip of
the iceberg. I think the potential of what
[it] will do to society (…) is unimaginable.
I think we’re (…) on the cusp of
something exhilarating and terrifying.”
A prediction that is both promising and
threatening.

By Ehud Olmert,
Former Prime Minister Israel

The morning of Saturday, October 7th,
2023 was not supposed to be of
any special significance in the life of
Israel. It was a Jewish holiday,
celebrated in a traditional manner by
many observant Jews, and also those
more secular who do not observe
regularly Jewish tradition. It turned
out to be different than any Saturday
in the modern history of Israel.

By Belén Garijo
Chair of the Executive Board & CEO
Merck

Why we need a different mindset to
take science and technology from
incremental to groundbreaking change.

By John Bolton
Ambassador

National security turns on two fundamental questions.
Who threatens us, and what do we do about it?
Today, the global West (a concept much
broader than mere geographic location) is having
serious trouble addressing both these basic dilemmas.
We are not divided on everything, but we are divided
on enough that our adversaries can hardly avoid seeing
the divergencies and vigorously exploiting them at will.

By Edi Rama
Prime Minister Albania
Ghida Fakhry 
Journalist

In June 2024, Prime Minister
Edi Rama sat down with renowned journalist Ghida Fakhry to discuss
Albania’s path to the European Union. With a blend of
hope and determination, Rama illuminated Albania’s
western orientation and the challenges ahead.
He passionately emphasized the need for stable political institutions,
envisioning Albania’s crucial role in a changing Europe. His words painted a
picture of a nation ready to embrace its future with resilience and
ambition, eager to contribute to the broader European community.

By Ola Källenius
CEO
Mercedes-Benz

In November 2021 the UN Climate Change Conference
took place in Glasgow. Having attended,
it was great to see that – unlike at previous
conferences – participants didn’t discuss the question
of why we need to fight climate change.
This time it was all about the how: How can we
take action? How can we accelerate the path toward zero emissions and
CO₂ neutrality?