By Rohit Talwar, Steve Wells, and Alexandra Whittington

Fast Future’s Life in 2025: “Say Hello Say Goodbye” Scenarios were developed in partnership with Huawei Consumer Business Group. This latest scenario explores how a range of exponentially advancing technologies such as AI and big data could transform the way we experience entertainment.

The speed and bandwidth of 5G, coupled with the ever-increasing power of AI, AR, and VR, will help to transform live entertainment experiences, adding additional sensory and content elements.

The act of watching live theatre or a concert could be enhanced with the ability to overlay the visual experience with live translations and information about the performers, the script, and lyrics. Multi-sensory AR, VR, and next generation audio technologies would allow us to sample the performances from different places in the venue – including on stage.

We could also feel the sensations of a stage embrace, or the adrenaline rush for the lead singer as 100,000 people sing along. Producers could design a premium priced range of additional physical sensations, smells, tastes, visuals, and sound effects that can be built into the immersive experience for the audience to purchase.

While watching films and playing video games, the experience could also become fully immersive. We could choose to have our face overlaid on the characters, to pause while we see how we’d look in the outfits being worn, and purchase items depicted on screen. We might taste the food being eaten, feel the sensations of the moonwalk being undertaken by the actors or real astronauts, or even sample the sheer exhilaration and body impacts of taking a racetrack corner at the wheel with a Formula One champion.

At festivals and fairs, the fear of missing out (FOMO) will be reduced as we will be able to stay in our spot at the main stage and wait for the next performance, while scanning and watching the activities taking place on parallel stages, via multi-channel live streaming video on our 5G phone.

Say goodbye to…

• FOMO (fear of missing out) – as we will be able to consume multiple experiences at the same event. This could also drive new market opportunities such as advertising and merchandising, via multi-channel live video streaming of all the activities taking place.

Live sporting experiences could be extended in similar ways, to allow us to feel every touch of the ball and the bodily sensation of scoring. We could watch live replays on demand, purchase merchandise from our seats, and even connect with spectators across the stadium.

The role of referees could be assisted by AI technology, via sensors built into players” kits to detect shirt pulling, handballs, and other types of infringement. Sensor to sensor communication will allow for perfect real time offside decisions every time and eliminate any doubt over whether the tennis stroke landed in or outside the line.

 Say goodbye to…

• Subjective refereeing calls – and long waits for VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decisions, that impact the ebb and flow of the game.
• The fears and risks related to active sports – from skiing and horse riding to extreme sports – everyone will be able to participate via multi-sensory ultra-realistic simulations, where we can crash as often as we want without suffering a single bruise or broken bone.

At major events such as festivals and large public celebrations, 5G will help pinpoint everything from the location of those in need of medical assistance, through to a falafel burger, or a toilet. Drones would be on hand, ready to provide the support we need – be it an airlift to safety or a food delivery, through to an on-demand pop-up toilet brought to wherever you are in the crowd.

Augmented reality and 5G could also provide wayfinding guidance, with real time AI-enabled queue analysis of various attractions to help attendees plan their experience and minimise waiting times. Biometrics could also simplify event security, ticketing, and retail – and high-speed 3D printing would enable bespoke merchandising or uniquely themed food experiences.

Say goodbye to…

• Long queues for facilities and the risk of losing your spot in the crowd – because everything could be delivered to you directly, via smartphone requests and drone deliveries.
• The significant waste of time, resources, and revenue losses – due to long queue lengths that traditionally typify major outdoor events, thus improving the overall experience and environmental sustainability of the event.

The authors are futurists with Fast Future – a professional foresight firm specializing in delivering keynote speeches, executive education, research, and consulting for global clients on the emerging future and the impacts of change. To arrange a presentation on the Life in 2025 scenarios please contact

To access more of our articles and learn more about our work please visit www.fastfuture.com

You can find summaries of the ten scenarios here https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/campaign/truestories/tech/

To find out more about the developments, ideas, tools, and approaches to help you navigate a fast changing future, why not attend one of the events taking place during Fast Future’s London Futures Week.

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