AI in Strategic Foresight 2025

As such, there is a strong consensus among those strategic foresight experts who currently use AI that the technology is most valuable for its ability to accelerate and streamline processes, particularly in the early stages of foresight work. This efficiency gain allows practitioners to focus on more complex, high-level tasks that require human judgement and creativity. The benefits of using AI in strategic foresight reported by those using it can be grouped into six key themes: 1. Time efficiency and acceleration (39%): AI is primarily valued for saving time and accelerating workflows. It streamlines research, analysis and production by handling repetitive and labour-intensive tasks, allowing faster completion of outputs. 2. Data processing and analysis (17%): Respondents appreciate AI’s ability to process and analyse large datasets efficiently, uncovering trends and insights that would be difficult or time-consuming to identify manually.3. Idea generation and creativity (12%): AI supports creativity by generating new ideas, first drafts and alternative perspectives, helping users overcome creative blocks and explore novel directions. 4. Scenario development (10%): AI enhances scenario-building by rapidly generating, refining and testing multiple future scenarios, improving both speed and completeness in strategic foresight. 5. Improved quality and scope (7%): AI helps improve the overall quality, structure and breadth of work, enabling more comprehensive research and better-designed outputs. 6. Support for non-experts and beginners (4%): AI makes foresight methods more accessible by reducing expertise and resource barriers, helping newcomers participate more effectively in analytical or strategic processes. Usefulness of AI for strategic foresight FIGURE 3 How useful do you currently find AI tools in strategic foresight work? 0%10%60%70% 20%30%40%50% Not useful at all – I don’t use AI tools in foresight workMinimally useful – I’ve experimented but haven’t integrated AI into my workflowModerately useful – AI assists with specific tasks (e.g. trend scanning, scenario building)Highly useful – AI significantly enhances my foresight capabilitiesEssential – My foresight work would be difficult without AI tools I do not know Private sector Public sector Civil society Academia5%7% 8%6% 7% 6%19%47% 47% 43%58% 18%45% 36%33% 14% Source: OECD AI in Strategic Foresight: Reshaping Anticipatory Governance 11