The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is home to many faculty members who are doing remarkable work in cutting-edge film and game storytelling and technology. Among them is Elizabeth Strickler, known for her passion for exploring future trends in media. As CMII’s unofficial futurist, Strickler is recognized for her presentations on the creative economy, blockchain, the metaverse, AI, and Web3. After her certification in professional foresight, her network expanded beyond media and entertainment and into the study of the future.
In December 2022, Strickler was invited to speak about the future of media at the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies in Saudi Arabia. Her presentation on how entertainment is increasingly becoming three dimensional and how this could be applied to futures foresight was enthusiastically received. This led to an invitation to keynote at the 23rd Futures Conference in Finland, hosted by the University of Turku.
During the Futures Conference in June 2023, her keynote delved into the “metaverse,” illustrating how the integration of digital and physical worlds is more than a technological leap; it represents a cultural shift in the way we interact and conduct business. This intersection is crucial in the field of futures foresight. Virtual worlds and simulations are pivotal tools for exploring and understanding potential future scenarios. They provide a dynamic environment where ideas can be tested and outcomes visualized, making the abstract concepts of the future more tangible and accessible. She discussed the shift from centralized to decentralized internet platforms, highlighting the enhanced security, transparency, and data sovereignty this brings.
Following her successful keynote, Strickler was invited to the World Futures Studies Federation’s XXV Conference for their 50th Anniversary. Here, she presented “Quantified Becoming in Simulated Realities: Navigating Consciousness and Human Evolution in the Digital Age.” This research delves into how digital environments allow us to explore consciousness and spirituality, offering a modern platform for self-discovery and introspection.
Strickler also discussed the evolution of technologies like AI and their impact on virtual worlds. She highlighted the economic potential of these worlds, with creators using platforms and NFTs for monetization, and the ethical and legal questions raised by AI in content creation.
In her speech, Strickler underscored the transformative power of these technologies in education and work, particularly their role in telework and collaboration. She concluded by emphasizing the need for adaptability and the blending of virtual and real experiences over the next 50 years.
In summary, Strickler’s work and presentations, particularly at the Futures Conference 2023, highlight the importance of virtual worlds and simulations in understanding the future. Her efforts at CMII and in these conferences are instrumental in preparing us for a future where virtual and real worlds are closely linked.
About the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is a leading hub for media arts education and innovation, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the ever-evolving creative and media industries. Through cutting-edge programs, industry partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, CMII offers a dynamic environment for students to explore their creative potential and pursue their passion for storytelling and media production.