LSN : News : Innovation Debrief 2024

Innovation Debrief 2024–2025 report goes live

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

Global – Discover the top 50 innovations acknowledging, driving and anticipating change in our new Innovation Debrief 2024–2025 report.

In a world driven by constant change and evolving consumer needs, this year’s Innovation Debrief report explores how, under the theme of activism and action, innovation isn’t just about continual disruption but about acknowledging, driving and anticipating change.

From brands tackling demographic shifts to re-imagining stagnant industries and embracing cutting-edge materials and technologies, this report contains 50 innovations across 10 key cross-sector trends that embody a softer, more sustainable approach to innovation to drive and inspire your approach to innovation and make a better business future happen.

The report is now live and you can download it here.

What the experts say

‘We cannot control the pace of change, but we can control our reaction to the change around us. Innovation in this context means the ability to decide when, and how, to action your own change’

Fiona Harkin, director of foresight, The Future Laboratory

Oslo’s new floating sauna makes wellbeing accessible to all

Oslo Sauna Association, Norway

Norway – Estudio Herreros designed the Trosten sauna for the Oslo Sauna Association, situated in the Sukkerbiten sauna village near the Munch Museum. The floating sauna aims to make wellness accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

The sauna features ramps and spacious interiors, accommodating up to 24 people and two wheelchairs. An external amphitheatre with space for 50 people further reflects the inclusive and democratic ethos of the Oslo Sauna Association. ‘Our vision is to provide saunas for everyone, regardless of ability,’ says Ragna Fjeld, secretary general of the association. Sustainability is also key in the design, with a façade made from 75% recycled aluminium, created with renewable energy company Hydro.

The Trosten sauna project reflects the rise of inclusive and sustainable urban wellness spaces. By prioritising accessibility and eco-friendly materials, it sets a new standard for public wellness facilities. In Urban Bathing, LS:N Global explored the new wave of urban oases capturing the benefits of nature immersion and repackaging them into urban-friendly wellness and leisure concepts.

Strategic opportunity

Businesses and urban planners could enhance community wellbeing and inclusivity by integrating accessible and sustainable design elements into public wellness facilities

Latimer tackles AI’s cultural bias with diversity and inclusion training

Blue Man in a Red Space by Isaac Udogwu, US

US – John Pasmore, an AI entrepreneur since 2008, has launched Latimer.AI, a language model designed to reflect the experiences of Black and brown people. This was prompted by the realisation that AI struggled with cultural nuances in different minority communities.

Pasmore used sources such as Amsterdam News, one of the oldest Black newspapers in the US, to train Latimer.AI. This approach prioritised accuracy over user-generated data sourced from the internet. ‘You have some subtle differences in the language that the model uses because of the training data, and the model itself just thinks about Black and brown people,’ Pasmore told TechCrunch.

Other innovators like Erin Reddick, who created ChatBlackGPT, are also developing AI models centred on these communities. ‘We are the keepers of our own stories and experiences,’ said Tamar Huggins, founder of Spark Plug, an AI tailored for Black and brown students.

In our Decolonising Data Privacy report, we discussed how businesses can learn from Indigenous cultures to ensure that trust, transparency and respect are at the forefront of their tech product offerings.

Strategic opportunity

Build responsible AI tools by developing ethical guidelines that prioritise cultural sensitivity, transparency and inclusivity. This can help build trust and ensure AI solutions respect diverse communities

Stat: Employers should prepare for a Great Resignation 2.0

Photography by Tiger Lily

Global – A new wave of resignations is brewing as employees worldwide feel increasingly overworked and underpaid, according to PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, which covered over 56,000 workers.

Alarmingly, the number of workers who plan to change jobs is up by more than 28% in 2024 compared to the Great Resignation in 2022. Key reasons driving this trend include higher workloads, career ambitions and rapid technological changes. Specifically, 62% of employees noted a significant increase in work pace, compounded by new tech tools and financial pressures.

In addition, 43% are contemplating asking for a pay rise. Higher interest rates and living costs have exacerbated worker dissatisfaction. Carol Stubbings, global markets and tax and legal services leader of PwC UK, told Fortune: ‘Workers around the world are increasingly prioritising long-term skills growth and looking to organisations that can help them facilitate this.’ She urged leaders to prioritise employee wellbeing, as overstressed workers are less productive.

For more insights on the future of work, head to our Work States Futures macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

Develop and enhance wellbeing programmes that focus on mental health, work-life balance, and stress management to retain and attract talent. This could include offering flexible working hours, mental health days and access to wellness resources