Investors and entrepreneurs want to shape the future. This is a positive thought, whether the investment is based on scientific theories, extrapolating data trends into the future, or simply a gut feeling. The desire to make money alone is, for most entrepreneurs, a far too short-sighted motivation.
In these times of high political instability, war on our doorstep, and the many uncertainties arising from AI as a technology in nearly all industries, every investment in the future carries high risks – but it also holds an opportunity.
Each of my articles and interviews on my blog is a small attempt to steal a look into the future and foresee what lies ahead. Which of these predictions and outlooks need to be adjusted today? Which thoughts have already become outdated? And which thoughts from 2024 will carry us into 2025 and beyond?
But wait! Can one only look into the future if certain of the reality of today? Where do we stand today? Isn’t an absolute positioning crucial for a safe look into the future?
For those who want to dive deeper into this topic, I recommend the comedy, drama, or film Fly Me to the Moon by Greg Berlanti.
Can this precise positioning ever be regained in a time when we don’t know what is real, which story was written by a machine, and which by a human?
Has it always been irrelevant to know where you stand when shaping the future, or must we, thanks to AI, accept this reality, especially today?
A look back at the articles from the past 12 months, which were small glimpses into the future at the time when they were written, could help us take a clearer view of the present future – standing in December 2024.
I would like to recommend reading in four areas. Let’s begin.
- technologies, particularly Deeptech
- investing and business models
- society and a future program for Germany and Europe
- books as a catalyst for new ideas
1. Invest & Business models
AI, through its changes in many areas, will also bring massive shifts to previously stable business models. This is the main topic for investors in 2025 to form new hypotheses and create entirely new business models.
Well-known, popular, and tested business models like Software as a Service (SaaS) will come under pressure and be replaced by new models.
- Service businesses as value drivers for AI: AI-driven services will become the main value drivers for companies, creating new opportunities for investors.
- System houses and managed services: The transformation of system houses into managed service providers shows how existing business models can be renewed.
- AI and digital monopolies: Will AI lead to new digital monopolies? The analysis of this development suggests that the concentration of power could increase.
- What comes after SaaS?: After the hype around SaaS, the question arises: What new business models will drive investors in the future?
- The future of digital business models: What features define the successful digital business models of the future?
In the following interviews, there are insights from influential people:
- Sebastian Kurz reflects on political and economic developments.
- Helmut Schönenberger shares insights on startup ecosystems and innovation.
- Ulrich Dietz provides insights into digital transformation and sustainability.
- André Retterath discusses investment strategies for startups and investors.
- Peter Schwarzenbauer explains the world of mobility and electromobility.
2. Society & a future program for germany und europe
What issues concern our society, and how must we position Germany and Europe for a positive future?
- AI and our relationship with machines: The age of machine dialogue has begun. AI is changing our relationship with machines and influencing how we interact with them.
- Democracy and freedom as correctives: Democracy and freedom are crucial factors in finding a way out of the current system crisis.
- Neoliberalism and capitalism in times of crisis: In times of crisis, the question arises how neoliberalism and capitalism act as responses to radicalization and uncertainty.
- Europe’s prosperity and the necessary quantum leap: A “quantum leap” is needed to secure Europe’s prosperity.
- Inform, plan, decide: A plea for informed decision-making processes in times of uncertainty.
- The limits of AI power: Where do the limits of AI’s power lie? This question was explored in detail in one of the articles.
Interviews in the area of SOCIETY & REFORMATION IN GERMANY:
- Reinhard Ploss talks about digitalization in Germany.
3. Books as catalysts for new perspectives
With sci-fi and novels, we can take a look into the future and explore unknown worlds. I discussed this with Andreas Brandhorst. His answers can be found in the interview.
- „Die wirklich perfiden Möglichkeiten von KI”: A book review that addresses the manipulation potentials of AI.
- “How do we conquer space?”: An analysis of the prospects for space exploration.
4. Technologies
Robots will form the bodies of AI in the coming years. I discussed this and automation technologies with Thomas Hähn. David Reger, CEO of Neura Robotics, explains everything about cognitive robots and the changes in production in the coming years.
Battery technology is crucial for the transformation to an electric world. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of Customcells, provides deep insights into this, along with explanations about the problems at Northvolt.
Two companies from Germany are focusing on the energy transformation of private households: ENPAL and 1KOMMA1. I spoke with both last year: Wolfgang Gründinger about energy policy and sustainability, and Philipp Schröder mainly about new business models for supplying private households.
Amid all the talk of AI, the topic of Deeptech has almost been overlooked in 2024. However, at the detail level, technological advancements at the forefront determine how we can shape our world tomorrow. Max Gulde presented his plan on how new high-resolution sensors from space could help solve the irrigation problem on Earth.
Conclusion and outlook
Today, at the end of the year, we stand at a point where many issues are more open than ever before. Technologies like AI, our democracy, and even our entire economic system with business models – everything is undergoing change. But in this seemingly maximum uncertainty lies a rare opportunity: those who are willing to ask the right questions can shape the answers from our tomorrow. Investing in the age of AI means working with uncertainty, not against it. Those who accept uncertainty recognize the opportunities others overlook.
I look forward to 2025 with joy and confidence. Let us not shy away from the complex questions in the new year but approach them with curiosity and clarity. Thanks to all the readers who have brought life to this blog. Here’s to a year full of insights, success, and future-oriented thinking in 2025!
Yours,
Stefan
