GESDA has just returned from the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where we unveiled the Geneva Public Portal to Anticipation to a broader public. This pioneering installation, developed by GESDA in collaboration with the EPFL Laboratory for Experimental Museology (eM+), opene
d on April 13 as part of the “Anticipation Sphere” at the Swiss Pavilion of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. The Portal offers a unique and accessible way for visitors to explore the future through the lens of leading science.
Henrietta Fore, GESDA Board Member and Chair of its Citizens’ Forum, presented the Portal to Ignazio Cassis, Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Swiss Parliamentarian delegation, led by Maja Riniker, President of the National Council.
Discover and shape possible futures through leading science
The Geneva Public Portal to Anticipation is an interactive installation that transforms a scientific database – the GESDA Science Breakthrough Radar® – into an accessible experience for the public.
The Radar is grounded in the insights of over 2’100 leading scientists from 197 countries, identifying the most promising scientific breakthroughs expected in the next 5, 10, and 25 years across disciplines. By harnessing the power of AI and data visualisation, the Portal makes this knowledge tangible, engaging, and relevant – inviting citizens to explore how emerging science could shape their lives. What once seemed abstract is now presented as a possible future, open for exploration.
Visitors are mostly interested in the topic of Healthspan Extension
In the first month since the Expo opening, more than 80’000 visions of possible futures have been created. Around 60% of Swiss Pavilion visitors are engaging with the platform, asking questions around these scientific topics and trying to understand what these could mean for them.
With each interaction, the Portal becomes a mirror reflecting what people from across the globe care about most when it comes to the future of science and technology. From quantum breakthroughs to eco-regeneration, the Portal is a window into the collective hopes, fears, and dreams of citizens. Visitors aren’t passive observers; they are co-creators in the exploration of what might lie ahead.
The most frequently selected science topics during the creation process are Human Augmentation (30%) and Healthspan Extension (12%), suggesting a deep curiosity about the future of healthcare, longevity, and enhancement. Interestingly, the majority of people are looking with joy into the future and 87% say they feel proactive about the future after their interaction with the Portal.
A collective science anticipation experiment
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the Portal and how people engage with it is the collaborative nature of the experience. People mostly come together in groups, experiment with different future scenarios, and share their visions. There’s a sense of curiosity and a collective desire to understand and shape the future together. This dynamic makes the Portal not just an installation, but a true community experience where ideas flow freely, and everyone’s voice matters – because the future is a story written by all of us.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the pace of scientific and technological advancements is unprecedented. Breakthroughs that once seemed like science fiction are now becoming reality, and the choices we make today will determine the trajectory of tomorrow. Science anticipation allows us to not only prepare for this future but to shape it in a way that benefits all of society. It’s about being proactive, not reactive, in navigating the complexities of tomorrow.
A Portal to a future, where science benefits all: What’s next
By engaging in these speculative futures, we begin to see where opportunities lie, where challenges may arise, and where our collective values and priorities need to be focused. Anticipating scientific developments allow us to be proactive, not reactive. It enables us to make informed decisions today – whether in policy, business, or society – so that we can ensure that science benefits all.
In the coming months, we aim to deepen the conversation around emerging science. Alongside this, we envision the creation of a Citizen’s Forum: a space where people can continue engaging with the future of science, ask questions, and collaborate with scientists and thought leaders. This Forum will serve as the bridge between the visions sparked in the Portal and the real-world actions necessary to transform them into tangible, positive outcomes for society.
More about the Geneva Public Portal to Anticipation: https://portal.gesda.global
Discover what scientists around the world believe will be the next scientific breakthroughs: https://radar.gesda.global
GESDA’s perspective to the Human Augmentation Exhibition in the Swiss Pavilion: PDF
