Future of Government in 2030

his report explores predictions for the next decade, focusing on the impact of trends on state and local governments, with insights from over two dozen futurists, public officials, academics, and tech experts.

Excerpt from report:
“To get a sense of what the coming decade might mean for state and local governments, we asked more than two dozen futurists — including thought leaders, public officials, academics and tech experts — for their predictions on the trends that will have the greatest impact on the public sector over the next 10 years. Their responses, condensed and edited here, provide a glimpse into what may happen in the years ahead.”

The research method involved soliciting predictions from a diverse group of more than two dozen futurists, thought leaders, public officials, academics, and tech experts.

Experts provided predictions on various topics, including the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the acceleration of digital service delivery, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the impact of climate change. They discussed the potential for a mass exodus from high-cost cities, the need for governments to invest in manufacturing, and the challenges of an aging population. The report also touched on the future of work, cybersecurity, data privacy, urban design, voting systems, and the gig economy. Additionally, it covered the potential for driverless technology, the trust crisis in local governments, and the evolution of education, healthcare, and urban-rural dynamics.

Drivers mentioned include:

• The Coronavirus pandemic
• Artificial Intelligence
• Aging population
• Rising public urgency surrounding climate change
• Unrealistic expectations for police
• Ransomware and threats from nations-states
• Vulnerability of voting systems
• Trend toward freelance work
• Citizen demand for digital government
• Disinformation from bad actors
• Growth of 5G
• The shift to autonomous vehicles

One expert outlines “three different plausible futures” for 2030.

Categories: 2020 publication year | 2030 time horizon | 2030s time horizon | English publication language | United States geographic scope | governance