In this series, leading executives and McKinsey experts conjure the future, one industry at a time.
Latest Edition
The future of airports: Seamless, automated, and personalized
Airports have existed for more than a century. New technology could help revitalize their infrastructure—for both air travelers and airport staff. In this edition of The Next Normal, we examine how innovations such as AI, biometrics, and flying taxis could transform the airport experience.
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The future of self-driving cars: Safer, smarter, and everywhere
The age of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is no longer a distant promise—it’s here. Today’s early fleets of AVs point to a future in which harried commutes turn into productive hours, jammed intersections into orchestrated traffic flows, and all roads into safer corridors. In this edition of The Next Normal, we explore the possibilities, challenges, and choices that will shape the driverless future.
The future of hotels: Customized experiences, sustainable practices
When you walk into your hotel, the staff will greet you by name, know your travel preferences, and anticipate your needs. Almost every aspect of your stay will be personalized to your tastes, and you can reconfigure your room at any time to make it suitable for work, exercise, socializing, or sleep. For all leading hotel brands, the well-being of both guests and employees—and the health of the planet—will be top priorities. Welcome to the hospitality industry’s next normal.
The future of biotech: AI-driven drug discovery
Many diseases today don’t have a cure. One reason is that drug discovery is difficult: finding and developing an effective medicine is a yearslong and very expensive process. But maybe it doesn’t have to be. Experts say AI—if properly integrated into scientists’ research—could revolutionize drug discovery, making it possible for more patients to get the treatments they need.
Could this be a glimpse into life in the 2030s?
We asked business leaders and McKinsey experts to envision the future of their respective industries. Explore this interactive for some of their more evocative (and provocative) predictions, from outer-space hotels and gamified movies to car subscriptions and ‘smart’ mannequins.