A new white‑paper from World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD), titled AI in Strategic Foresight: Reshaping Anticipatory Governance argues that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted by “strategic foresight” practitioners — those who try to anticipate future trends, risks and opportunities for governments, businesses and civil society. The report draws on survey data from 167 foresight experts across 55 countries, revealing a field in transition where AI is moving from theoretical possibility to everyday tool.
Many practitioners surveyed say AI helps them scan for “signals of change,” analyse large datasets, and build scenarios far more efficiently than before; the result is faster horizon‑scanning, trend‑analysis, and scenario development. A smaller but growing subset is even experimenting with AI as a “creative or analytical partner,” using it for systems mapping, designing alternative futures and stress‑testing policies.
However, the report doesn’t shy away from the downsides. Many respondents voiced serious concerns about the reliability, transparency and bias in AI‑generated outputs. There are also significant disparities in AI-related capacities — especially between private‑sector institutions and public‑sector or civil‑society organizations, where technical skills, access to tools, or data‑security restrictions may lag, limiting adoption.
Looking forward, the report calls for a balanced approach: using AI where it genuinely augments human judgment (e.g. data‑driven scanning and idea generation), while preserving human oversight, critical thinking and ethical standards — especially when it comes to scenario design and policy recommendations.
