“Operation Christmas Child is a really tangible, hands-on way that Australians can show love to kids in need around the world,” says Leanne Palmer from Samaritan’s Purse.

At a Sydney warehouse, volunteers sort, pack and prepare shoebox gifts for children around the world. Through local churches, schools and community groups, this simple act of generosity becomes a global story of faith and kindness.

Watch Part 1: The Heart of the Shoebox Project

From Local Churches to Shoebox Goals

At Hawkesbury Valley Baptist Church, volunteers have packed shoeboxes for 25 years. “The goal for today is 1,500 shoeboxes,” says organiser Ila Spence. “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world, it’s God’s love in action.”

Each box contains a mix of practical and joyful items. “There’s so many people along the way that contribute to a child getting a shoebox, and I love that,” says volunteer Pam Fairhurst.

Lucas and Lincoln, aged 12 and 14, help rally their church groups to make more boxes each year. “We feel really recognised … so we can make more people happy across the world,” they say.

At St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox College, teacher Amal Awadalla reflects: “Our children watched a video about where these boxes go … they were overwhelmed. It’s an international story, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

The Warehouse: From Donation to Dispatch

Inside the Sydney warehouse, one of eight globally, volunteers inspect, scan and pack thousands of boxes for shipment. “It’s not just logistics,” says Leanne Palmer. “These gifts create connection and hope.”

Watch Part 2: Behind the Scenes – The Warehouse Story

Paul Buckley, who takes two weeks off work each year to volunteer, says: “I just love the idea that we’re giving a present … because we love them so much.”

For many, this is love made practical. “When we’re hands-on,” Leanne adds, “this box becomes a symbol of that love.”

Lives Transformed — Then and Now

In the final chapter, we meet Lina and Larsa, sisters who once received shoeboxes as children in war-torn Iraq, now volunteering in Australia. “That was us twenty years ago,” says Lina. “It truly did mean a lot.”

“They may not mean anything to others,” adds Larsa, “but to me, they were a ray of hope.”

Watch Part 3: Full Circle – The Recipients Who Give Back

More than 11 million shoeboxes reach children in about 170 countries each year. “If we pack 5,000 shoeboxes, that’s 5,000 children receiving gifts,” says Dave Wu, Queensland Regional Ministry Leader. “It’s far greater than just giving gifts.”

A Call to Generosity

From church halls and classrooms to warehouse floors and distant villages, Operation Christmas Child shows how small acts of kindness can ripple across the world. Each shoebox carries the same message: You matter. You are loved.

Article supplied with thanks to Helping Hands TV.

About the Author: Helping Hands is an Australian produced TV program that airs on 9GEM, Channel 9 and 9NOW, and showcases people and organisations who make the world a better place.

Feature image: Supplied

In an increasingly competitive and dynamic education landscape, school marketers are navigating more than just enrolment targets.

They’re adapting to a new wave of students, increasingly discerning parents, shifting demographic patterns, and a broader cultural shift in how education is perceived and prioritised.

At McCrindle, we work with a range of schools to understand the changing needs and expectations of families, and how best to communicate a school’s value in a cluttered marketplace. Whether it’s responding to the changing parent-school relationship, engaging a multi-generational audience, or marketing within the context of economic pressures, the role of school marketing professionals has never been more strategic, or more complex.

In this article, we explore five key trends reshaping school marketing today and what they mean for your enrolment strategy, communication style, and community engagement in the years ahead.

1. A New Wave of Students

In just five years’ time, the first Generation Beta children (born 2025-2039) will start their schooling years. Born typically to Gen Y and Gen Z parents, these children are being raised in an era of technological acceleration. They will only know a world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and predictive generative technology, where the interaction between the digital and physical world is seamless. Gen Beta will be characterised by AI integration, borderless lifestyles, hyperconnectivity, global citizenship and immersive experiences. These characteristics may then flow into classroom experiences, where AI and technology are viewed as co-creators, learning is personalised and on-demand, borderless lifestyles bring greater flexibility to school structures, and learning is truly an immersive experience. As you market your school, consider how you position the opportunities that these changes present, as well as how you will help students to navigate the challenges.

2. From Contributors to Consumers: Understanding Today’s Parent-School Relationship

Time-poor and often rushed, many parents are shifting from a contributor to a consumer mindset when it comes to their child’s education. While some still prioritise involvement, others bring clearer expectations and less capacity to engage. This evolution is reshaping the parent-school dynamic. Our latest Education Future Research reveals that only 37% of parents and 32% of educators view the relationship as a true partnership, where both parties actively support the child’s development. More commonly, it’s seen as a collaborative partnership—led by the school but with some parent involvement (51% parents, 52% educators). Notably, 15% of educators and 11% of parents describe the relationship as transactional, where schools are seen as service providers. For marketing professionals, understanding these shifting expectations is key to strengthening trust, engagement, and communication with today’s families.

3. The Big Build and Population Growth

As Australia experiences rapid population growth fuelled by net overseas migration, urban expansion is reshaping the nation’s landscape. For schools, this “Big Build” era offers significant opportunities. Growing regional areas, new housing developments, and increased infrastructure investment mean new communities – and new families – emerging in growth corridors. School marketers can capitalise on this by targeting these areas with tailored campaigns. Highlighting modern facilities, proximity to expanding infrastructure, and programs designed for diverse student needs can appeal to relocating families. Collaborating with local developers or councils on community events can further cement a school’s presence in these regions. By positioning your school as a cornerstone of new neighbourhoods, you can foster early connections with families looking for education that aligns with their aspirations and values.

4. Marketing Schools in An Era of Consumer Trade-Offs

Rising living costs are driving families to make tough decisions about their spending and is impacting consumer behaviour. For school marketers, this environment of “consumer compromise” means clearly communicating the value of your offering. Parents want reassurance that tuition fees are not just a cost but an investment in their child’s future. Schools that showcase programs emphasising academic excellence, extracurricular opportunities, and personalised learning pathways will stand out. Additionally, incorporating themes of sustainability and social responsibility – values increasingly important to families – can help justify costs. Transparency about scholarships, flexible payment options, or community contributions also builds trust. In this era of financial trade-offs, school marketers must craft messages that highlight not only the tangible benefits of their education but also the long-term value it delivers to students and families.

5. Adapting School Marketing for Diverse Audiences and Generations

With the emergence of Generation Beta (born from 2025) and the growing influence of Generation Alpha, marketers are now navigating a complex generational landscape. Today’s school decision-makers include younger, tech-savvy Millennial parents and older Gen X families, each with unique values and expectations. Tailoring messaging to meet their preferences is critical. Millennial parents value authenticity, digital engagement, and sustainability, while Gen X families often prioritise stability, tradition, and proven outcomes. School marketers will do well to leverage data to personalise campaigns, utilise social media platforms to connect with younger parents, and offer in-depth, results-driven content for older audiences. Highlighting intergenerational programs and community inclusivity will also resonate. By recognising generational nuances and adapting strategies, marketers can build stronger connections and position their schools as leaders in catering to the diverse needs of today’s families.

In a time of rapid change, school marketing professionals are not just storytellers – they are strategists, data translators, and community connectors. As the education landscape continues to evolve, staying attuned to emerging trends and the needs of both current and future families is essential. Tools like McCrindle’s Thriving Schools Index can provide schools with valuable insights into parent perceptions, student experience, and community engagement, equipping leaders with the evidence they need to communicate their strengths and shape strategies for long-term success. Get in touch today to find out how we can help your school measure it’s impact and have data at the ready for informed, strategic decisions.

Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.

About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.

Feature image: Canva

We’re living in a time of paradoxes.

As we explore the consumer landscape, we see it shaped by both innovation and change and timeless human needs. In this tension lies a powerful story: of consumers seeking both speed and meaning, digital convenience and personal connection, individual empowerment and community belonging.

There are the trends like the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation to demographic shifts, global connectivity, and sustainability demands are rewriting the rules of engagement. Yet amid this flux, timeless human drivers remain, such as trust, authenticity, and purpose. These are not just buzzwords but benchmarks for brands seeking relevance. The paradoxes are stark. Consumers crave simplicity in an age of abundance. They demand transparency in a world of curated realities. They are globally minded but hyper-local in values. These juxtapositions don’t signal confusion, they reveal a complex, evolving consumer shaped by layered expectations.

To navigate this terrain, organisations must become both agile and anchored, embracing change while staying grounded in human-centric drivers. In decoding these paradoxes, we explore the roadmap to  meaningful connection in a rapidly transforming world. Here are the megatrends shaping the consumer landscape.

7 paradoxes shaping the consumer landscape

1. Living longer, spending later

As we look across the operating environment today, the purchasing lifecycle is no longer linear, or age bound. Wealth is held by older generations who are living and spending longer, while younger generations, often without buying power yet, hold cultural and household influence. We see that the intergenerational commerce landscape is shifting.

Older Baby Boomers (aged 65-74), comprise 9% of the Australian population, yet hold 26% of national wealth and continue to spend despite their lower relative income. While Gen Xs (aged 45-54), who comprise 12% of the population, have just 17% of national wealth despite being the highest income earners. With an average annual household income of 158k.

By comparison Gen Z/Y in their early earning years comprise 15% of the population and hold just 5% of national wealth. And have an average household income of 128k.

Historically financial power was directly linked to consumer decision making power. Today, however, people are spending throughout the lifecycle. There is a young, empowered generation coming through and purchasing decisions are no longer siloed by age. We even see that older generations are spending longer, and not even necessarily on themselves and today’s Gen Alpha children, yet to enter their earning years, are influencing household spend and purchasing decisions.

55% of families with dependent children agree their grandparents often buy day to day items for their household or children. Therefore Older people aren’t retiring from consumer culture but many are purchasing for self but also for others, which is fuelling the rise in the Grandparent economy.

2. Hyper-global and reengaging locally

Brands today are expected to have the systems, reach and convenience of a global organisation but the authenticity, and identity of a local organisation. Online marketplaces have been growing, while so too has the support of local businesses. When we asked why do you choose to purchase from an offshore retailer we can see that price is a key motivator, followed by availability. For 34% the convenience aspect comes into play as does access to a wide range of products or brands, leaning more into the convenience factor is international shipping offers or free delivery.

On the flip side the number one driver for supporting a local business is to support the local economy or community, followed by a desire to see or try the product in person. For two in five they see local providing better customer service or a more personalised experience. There is also greater trust in product quality or authenticity. Similar to global purchasing the convenience aspect comes into play with faster delivery or same day pickup.

3. Private by principle, public by practice

At our trends of 2025 event we explored the trend of the digital detox, and we are seeing that play out in the consumer landscape. Today’s customers are empowered and want to take their data back. Over the past few years there has been a shift from tech optimism to tech scepticism.

In 2021 the percentage who would rather increase their data privacy and forego a more personalized experience was 59%, today that is 78%. What is interesting though is that this is not limited to older generations with Gen Z 1.8 times more likely to value data privacy today than they were in 2021 (79% 2024 cf. 44% Gen Z). This tech scepticism is influencing behaviour with more people valuing their data privacy and foregoing a more personalised experience.

However, many are still engaged in social commerce. This is buying and selling goods alongside referring friends and influencing spend through social media platforms, which by nature are platforms designed to harvest data. We are seeing that social commerce is blurring the lines between privacy and experience.

4. Outsourced ownership

Twenty years ago, music was owned, today it is streamed; cars were owned, now many are leased. A trade off with this ongoing accessibility is a loss of permanence. Today, people may pay less upfront, but they are paying always.  When considering generational attitudes towards these subscriptions, it became clear that Gen Z and Gen Y are more likely than their older counterparts to love or like subscriptions, with as the emerging generation of consumers is seeing the rise in the subscription economy.

Established generations, however, are more likely to hate it or not like it. Generational use of subscriptions is reflective of their sentiment. Gen Z who are most positive towards subscriptions are also the highest users of subscriptions. Convenience, followed by value for money, access to exclusive content. For three in ten they identified that sometimes subscriptions are the only option, and for a quarter they found that regular payments make it easier to budget.

5. Cutting back, yet also premiumisation

We’re in a cost-of-living crisis. You probably hear it everywhere. People are cutting back because of this. Yet, we are also seeing premiumisation which is when people spend on luxuries.

Interestingly this isn’t a new phenomenon. Back in the early 2000s, Estée Lauder noticed an odd trend: when recessions hit, lipstick sales spiked. Economist Juliet Schor had already put words to it – the Lipstick Effect.

Our research shows that almost 77% of Australians are extremely or very concerned over the rising cost of living. But, a similar proportion 69%, agree that even when tightening spending in some areas, they choose to splurge on little luxuries that make them feel good. What this shows, is that even during economic strain, consumption decisions are entwined with identity. Buying things can make us feel good, meet our needs or even display status to those around us.

6. Environmental concern amidst consumer pragmatism

Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, yet they also face real world constraints like time, money and convenience. 57% of consumers say they have had to compromise their social responsibility values to purchase a cheaper product. However people are also willing to invest in quality pieces that last a long time.

In an interesting twist, younger generations are more likely than their older counterparts to purchase something cheap even though they know it’s bad for the environment. Although younger generations are often the most vocal about environmental sustainability, we’ve seen them be pretty impacted by the rising cost of living, and therefore the least able to financially support their consumer values. Customers have their values. But they are also seeking value.

7. Post-materialism in a hyper material world

For many, material wealth is increasing, but at the same time, overall satisfaction is decreasing. 52% agree that the more they own, the less satisfaction they seem to get from new purchases. People are making room for meaning, with 77% of consumers agreeing they are more interested in experiences and meaning than accumulating material possessions.

People have a void which material possessions are not satisfying in the way they used to. There is still a desire, however, to use purchases to communicate identity and values. As the focus shifts to investing in community and meaning, there is an opportunity for organisations here to provide brand experiences that create belonging and identity expression to combat isolation and loneliness.

Despite the tides of change and these paradoxes, some timeless human needs have remained the same, and they are worth exploring when thinking about consumer behaviour and decisions.

Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.

About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.

Feature image: Canva

The pace of change in artificial intelligence is breathtaking. In just a few short years, AI has shifted from a novelty to an invisible layer in our daily lives.

From workplace emails and meeting notes to wedding vows and condolence messages, the technology is no longer just an office tool – it is shaping how we communicate, connect and even think.

The drivers of this shift are clear: rapid tech innovation, a generation raised on digital tools, and social norms bending around new possibilities. But there is an urgency here. As AI moves from helping us to think to doing the thinking for us, leaders and professionals need to ask a confronting question: what happens to our own cognitive muscles if we stop using them?

Here are 5 trends or implications to consider:

1. Outsourcing Thought: The Rise of ‘Digital Amnesia’

One of the most striking findings comes from a recent MIT study. Students using AI tools to draft essays showed a 47 per cent drop in active brain engagement compared to those writing unaided. Even more concerning, 83 per cent of AI users couldn’t remember what they had written just days later, versus only 10 per cent of students who had done the work themselves. Teachers are noticing it too. A Grade 10 English teacher in Australia observed that students relying on AI for drafts struggled to explain their arguments in class – they had outsourced the thinking, and it showed.

This isn’t limited to schools. Many professionals are letting AI write their emails, summarise meetings and even make decisions. The danger isn’t just the quality of the output, but what is happening in our heads. When we hand over the hard work of thinking, memory and reasoning to a machine, we become passive passengers in our own thought process. Like any skill, cognition is use it or lose it.

2. Homogenised Voices: When Everything Starts to Sound the Same

If you have noticed that social posts, emails and even dating profiles are starting to sound eerily similar, you are not imagining things. When millions of people use the same tools trained on the same datasets, originality gets sanded down.

AI-generated text is often competent, even elegant, but it lacks the quirks and rough edges that make human communication feel real. A University of Arizona study found that when people were told a “thoughtful” message from a friend was AI-written, they felt less connected to the sender even if the words were perfect. In an age where connection is currency, this matters.

The same risk exists in workplaces. If every presentation, report and client email starts to carry the same AI polish, it becomes harder to stand out or build trust. Ironically, in a world filled with machine-generated content, the messy fingerprints of a real human voice become a competitive advantage.

3. The Loneliness Loop: AI Companions and Emotional Skills

Seventy-two per cent of teens now use AI for companionship. Apps like Replika, with over 30 million users, offer AI “friends” and even romantic partners. On the surface, it seems harmless – a way to fill the loneliness gap so many young people report. But there is a hidden cost.

Real relationships are hard. They involve compromise, patience, missteps and making up. They require us to grow empathy, negotiation skills and emotional resilience. AI companions offer connection without any of that effort. They never argue, never need forgiveness, never ask for anything in return. They are there to serve you and you alone.

If human relationships are the training ground for emotional intelligence, what happens when a generation learns connection through algorithms that demand nothing of them? For workplaces, this could mean employees entering the workforce with technical brilliance but underdeveloped interpersonal muscles. The skills leaders prize (collaboration, empathy, conflict resolution etc) are forged in the friction of real human interaction.

4. The Education Gap: AI Literacy as a New Divide

Schools are in the middle of a live experiment. Some are embracing AI as a learning tool. Others are banning it entirely, seeing any use as cheating. But even in schools with strict bans, students are finding workarounds. Tools like Quillbot let them rewrite AI-generated content to avoid detection, creating a game of cat and mouse.

The real danger isn’t just plagiarism. It is the widening gap between students who learn how to use AI well and those who don’t. AI literacy is fast becoming as essential as reading and writing. At the same time, those who become over-reliant on AI risk losing the ability to think critically without it.

This divide won’t just shape classrooms – it will flow into workplaces. Organisations will face a new split: employees who can think with AI as a partner, and those who have been shaped by it into passive operators. It is a new kind of literacy gap, and it is opening fast.

5. Communication on Autopilot: When AI Speaks for Us

By next year, forecasts suggest more than 80 per cent of our everyday communication will be AI-assisted. Google’s Gemini platform has already rolled out a feature where the AI will call local businesses on your behalf to book appointments, gather prices and report back. It is convenient and, for many of us, a relief. But every time we hand over a conversation, we lose a little of the social skill it takes to navigate it ourselves.

This is a subtle erosion that mirrors what we have seen with other technologies. Spend years driving a car with cameras and sensors, and you realise how rusty your parking skills are the moment you switch to a basic hire car. Our ability to persuade, negotiate and build rapport is built on hundreds of small, low-stakes interactions. Automate too many of them and those muscles weaken.

AI taking over the grunt work of communication isn’t all bad. It can remove friction, save time and smooth awkward exchanges. But when it handles too much on our behalf, we risk outsourcing not just what we say, but the very human process of learning how to say it.

AI is not the enemy. Used well, it can free us to focus on the parts of work and life that require uniquely human intelligence – creativity, problem-solving, emotional connection. But the line between augmentation and abdication is thin.

The trends are clear: outsourcing thought leads to digital amnesia, homogenised voices dull connection, AI companions risk emotional skill-building, the education gap looms and communication on autopilot weakens our social muscles.

For leaders and professionals, the lesson is simple but urgent. Use AI as a tool, not a crutch. Keep your brain, your voice and your relationships actively engaged. In a world where 80 per cent of communication may soon be machine-assisted, the most valuable thing you can offer is the 20 per cent that is still unmistakably human.

Article supplied with thanks to Michael McQueen.

About the Author: Michael is a trends forecaster, business strategist and award-winning conference speaker. His most recent book Mindstuck explores the psychology of stubbornness and how to change minds – including your own.

Feature image: Canva

If you’ve been online lately, chances are you’ve seen it: the viral moment from a recent Coldplay concert where a couple was caught on the big screen… and what followed was an awkward, very public reveal of their affair.

The video shot around the world in hours, sparking memes, reaction clips, debates and plenty of laughs. But while the internet was busy pointing and laughing, some deeper questions started bubbling beneath the surface. Why are we so fascinated by these moments of public exposure? And what does it reveal about our culture, and ourselves?

Stephen McAlpine, respected writer and cultural commentator, who recently shared a thought-provoking piece about the Coldplay “kiss cam incident.” His insights gave us pause, helping us move beyond the viral moment to explore something deeper.

The Power… and Danger… of Exposure

“These moments are like watching a car crash, we can’t look away,” Stephen told Leah & Dan. “We’re fascinated by human behaviour, especially bad behaviour, when we’re not the ones caught in the spotlight.”

Stephen describes it as “theatre for the digital age.” A mixture of shock, humour, and judgment that plays out for a global audience in real time. “It’s part of the meme culture,” he says. “We take very tragic events and turn them into entertainment. But at some point, we have to take a step back.”

Is There Still a Place for Faithfulness?

Despite living in a “you do you” culture, Stephen believes the reaction to this public affair speaks volumes.

“There’s a little crack in the armour,” he says. “Despite everything we say about freedom and consent and living your truth, we still instinctively feel that covenant relationships, where we stick to our vows, are good. That they matter.”

And maybe that’s why this moment struck such a chord. It wasn’t just the drama, it was the public breach of something most of us, deep down, still value: trust.

What If We Were the Ones Exposed?

As easy as it is to laugh, Stephen encourages us to reflect before we judge. “What would it feel like if my worst mistake was shown on the big screen at a football match?” he asks. “Would I want grace… or ridicule?”

It’s a sobering thought, and one that challenges the internet’s instinct to shred and shame. “We don’t reflect enough on our own propensities,” Stephen says. “This might be a good time to do that.”

Finding Forgiveness in a World That’s Quick to Cancel

So, what if you’re living through your own “kiss cam moment”? Caught, exposed, and unsure what to do next? Stephen, speaking from his Christian faith, offers a word of hope. “Jesus knew people better than any kiss cam ever could,” he says. “He saw the mess in their lives and still offered them forgiveness and a fresh start.”

It’s a reminder that there’s a difference between internet culture and kingdom culture. While one cancels, the other offers compassion. While one laughs at the fallen, the other kneels beside them.

If you’re facing the fallout of a mistake, whether public or private, know this: exposure can be painful, but it can also be a turning point. A moment to choose humility… a moment to seek grace… a moment to start again.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Imagine a world where doctors can rehearse surgeries before ever making a single incision. Or a technician in one country can guide a repair in another without ever setting foot there.

 That’s the promise of digital twins. In an interview Futurologist, Professor Rocky Scopelliti, unpacked this game-changing technology.

What Is a Digital Twin?

“A digital twin is like a virtual replica of a physical object, a system, or even an entire environment,” explains Rocky. These models use simulations and real-world data to mirror their counterparts. From cars to computer networks, anything can be replicated.

The result? A safer, smarter way to test, analyse, and predict outcomes without real-world consequences. “Digital twins can be used for monitoring, simulation, analysis, or even prediction,” he says. The benefits extend beyond industries, they’re already impacting healthcare in a big way.

Life-Saving Potential in Medicine

One of the most powerful applications of digital twins is in the medical field. “Digital twins can turn surgical procedures into simulations before the operation begins,” Rocky explains. “The surgical team can rehearse and refine their approach, which improves outcomes.” Medical students are also using the technology to practise complex surgeries. Even veterinary science is seeing the benefits.

Built with Powerful Tech

Creating these models takes more than just imagination. According to Rocky, “3D modelling, high-resolution imaging like MRIs or CT scans, and sensor-based technology all come together.”

He also highlights the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning. “These technologies help simulate the behaviour and analyse complex systems in real-time.”

And it’s not just about creating the twin, it’s about making it understandable. “Visualisation and projection technologies are crucial. You need to see what you’re interacting with.”

A Glimpse into the Future

From medical breakthroughs to disaster response, the possibilities are vast. “Let’s say you model New York City to simulate a hurricane,” Rocky says. “You can plan emergency services in advance and protect infrastructure.” He adds, “That same principle applies to bushfires. You can test hundreds of scenarios and optimise your response.”

Everyday Applications

Digital twins aren’t just for hospitals or cities. They can help in your kitchen. “Think about fixing a broken appliance,” Rocky suggests. “A digital twin can guide you through the repair like a virtual instruction manual.”

Furniture assembly? “Instead of reading a booklet, imagine a 3D model walking you through each step.” Manufacturers can also use digital twins to design new car models, test airflow, and refine the product all before production begins.

Global Support, Local Repairs

Digital twins also make remote support easier. “Let’s say there’s a specialist on the other side of the world,” says Rocky. “They can use a digital twin to guide a local technician step by step.” That’s real-time, cross-continental collaboration in action.

But Who Owns Your Digital Twin?

However, digital twins raise big ethical questions like, “If they model my brain or body, do I own that data? Does the hospital? The tech company?”

Rocky admits it’s a grey area. “Who owns the data and the model? These are questions we still need to answer. Ideally, the patient should own it.”

The Bottom Line

Digital twins are more than just cool tech, they’re tools with the power to change how we live, work, and heal. As Rocky puts it: “They let us see, simulate, and solve before problems ever happen.”

And while the tech is impressive, the real breakthroughs will come as we navigate its ethical use and push the limits of what’s possible.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to shape and adapt the educational environment is crucial for educators, parents, and students alike.

With changing demographics, technological advancements, and the drive for academics as well as personal development, the future of education holds both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Here’s how we can prepare for a reimagined education system by 2035.

Education is pivoting to keep pace with changing students, evolving parental expectations, and a fluctuating operational climate. Recognising that the future is not a predetermined endpoint but an opportunity for transformative action, can empower educational leaders to proactively shape this dynamic landscape.

Balancing a Focus on Wellbeing and Academics

As societal focus on mental health deepens, educational institutions are striving to find a balance between supporting student wellbeing and maintaining academic rigor. We found that 75% of educators have noticed increased tension between these two priorities over the past five years. Addressing classroom management challenges and discipline disparities are vital steps toward achieving this balance.

Insights from parents, students and educators suggest differing attitudes towards discipline. Around half of parents and educators believe their school has a healthy approach to discipline. Students are a little lower at 39%. Students, however, are more likely than parents and educators to believe their school is much/somewhat too strict with discipline.

A quarter of educators believe the school is much/somewhat too relaxed with discipline, making them the largest stakeholder to hold this perspective. When the data is cut by government and non-government school educators, government school educators (29%) lean towards feeling their school is too lenient compared to their non-government peers (19%). Good classroom management remains essential for facilitating learning and creating an optimal academic environment.

Increasing Academic Focus in a Wellbeing Era

Building upon the topic of discipline and classroom management, is a renewed focus on academic development among school communities.

The majority of parents (70%) , students (68%) and educators (65%) believe it is more important to teach for the academic development of the student, compared to around 30% who believe it is more important to focus on the holistic development of the student.

This is a shift from 2023 when just 34% of teachers believed it was more important to teach for the academic development of students, and 66% prioritised the holistic development.

While there is still a desire to support student wellbeing and help them navigate their mental health, it seems that the focus on academics has declined too much, and that there is a shift among school communities to bring the academic aspect of education back into focus.

Learning in the digital age

As technology becomes increasingly integral to education, the need for strategic implementation is paramount. The digital revolution, spearheaded by tools like generative AI, presents both opportunities and challenges. While these technologies can aid learning, it’s crucial to ensure they supplement rather than replace human-driven educational experiences. A balanced approach that fosters critical thinking remains essential.

Despite general optimism about technology’s effective use in education, there is simultaneously a concern over its potentially excessive role. The priority is to find the right balance and ensure that technology aids without overwhelming the teaching process.

There’s no doubt that AI is playing a part in the classroom. And despite the majority of parents, students and educators agreeing that there is too much focus on teaching aided by technology, parents and students shared with us that a key opportunity they see is the personalisation of the learning experience through AI. Educators also agreed that it could help identify and address learning gaps.

Reclaiming Community Through Education

Interestingly, the increasing influence of technology and individualised digital learning can inadvertently weaken communal bonds. Educators, parents, and students alike recognise the inherent value in shared experiences and real-world interactions. Upholding these connections is vital as we look to the future, with many advocating for measures like banning smartphones in schools to foster physical community and collective learning.

Transition to Online Learning: Opportunities and Considerations

The flexibility of online learning has gained significant traction, with numerous educators, students, and parents open to virtual schooling. However, blending online platforms with in-person interactions is critical to preparing students for real-world engagements and careers.

When it comes to online schooling, we found that nine in ten educators (90%) and students (89%) are open to it (extremely/very/somewhat/slightly open), compared to 77% of parents.

While online schooling may present benefits, there are also trade-offs to consider. Stakeholders noted benefits such as greater focus and flexibility, to challenges such as less socialisation and too much screen time.

The Importance of Lifelong Learning

The modern career landscape demands adaptability, with shorter degree relevancy and career volatility becoming the norm. Thriving in this future requires critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to seamlessly integrate information into actionable insights. Prioritising these skills will support students as they embark on ever-changing, dynamic career paths.

Key Considerations for Educational Leaders

As leaders navigate the education landscape towards 2035, the agency lies in the hands of educational leaders. Here are some ways leaders can respond.

• Develop a robust parent engagement strategy: This is crucial for building trust and cooperation, which enhances the learning environment.
• Foster a safe and resilient environment: A supportive atmosphere encourages students to grow, take risks, and learn effectively.
• Approach AI with optimism and caution: Integrating AI should enhance learning experiences without undermining the human elements crucial to education.

By embracing change with optimism and wisdom, we can drive a future where technology, academic excellence, and human connection coexist to foster generations of critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.

About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.

Feature image: Canva

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving at speed, its influence across nearly every part of our lives is hard to ignore.

One fascinating frontier? AI’s leap into humour—a space we’ve long thought of as uniquely human. But AI systems are now trawling vast datasets to learn what makes us laugh, creating both new possibilities and a few red flags in how we interact with machines.

The Science Behind AI-Generated Humour

Humour may be deeply human, but it follows patterns that machines can learn. By analysing data on what content people like, share, or react to with laughter, AI models are getting eerily good at figuring out what tickles our funny bone. Platforms like TikTok are a prime example—its algorithm personalises your feed so well it feels like the app gets your sense of humour better than your mates do.

Whether you love dry wit, sarcastic one-liners, or totally bizarre memes, AI isn’t just learning comedy—it’s tailoring it.

The Commodification of Comedy

But this isn’t just a cool tech trick. It’s big business. Humour keeps us on platforms longer, drives up ad revenue, and builds loyalty. Some AI chatbots—Claude, for example—are gaining a fan base not just for their intelligence but their charm.

And it works. The more human AI feels, the more time we spend with it. That’s valuable time platforms can monetise through advertising, data collection or paid services. In the race for attention, AI that can make us laugh might just win.

The Echo Chamber Effect: When Jokes Go Stale

Of course, there’s a catch. AI doesn’t actually understand comedy. It just identifies patterns in what’s worked before—and repeats them.

That’s a problem. The more AI leans on what we’ve previously found funny, the more likely it is to keep recycling the same styles of humour. And while that might work for a while, it eventually becomes stale.

Because the best comedy is surprising. It’s an unexpected turn, a weird observation, or a punchline that catches you off guard. If AI sticks too closely to what’s already worked, it risks draining humour of its most important ingredient—novelty.

Can AI Actually Be Funny?

Some tools are making headway. Take Witscript, an AI comedy assistant developed by a stand-up comedian—it produces jokes that human judges found funny around 40% of the time. That’s a solid start.

But still, humour isn’t just about timing and structure. It’s steeped in emotion, culture, irony, and shared context. AI can remix jokes, sure—but it doesn’t livein the world. It doesn’t have awkward dating stories, political gripes, or memories of a family Christmas gone off the rails.

The Future of AI and Humour

AI will almost certainly get better at making us laugh. The bigger question is whether it’ll rob humour of what makes it magical in the first place. Not because bots will replace comedians—but because our own exposure to comedy might become more predictable, polished, and… boring.

The challenge is to use AI as a tool to expand how we enjoy humour, not flatten it. If we can keep that spark of unpredictability, diversity, and silliness alive, AI won’t ruin comedy. It’ll just give us new ways to enjoy the ride.

So—can AI be funny? Yes.

But will it ever get the joke? Time will tell.

Article supplied with thanks to Michael McQueen.

About the Author: Michael is a trends forecaster, business strategist and award-winning conference speaker. His most recent book Mindstuck explores the psychology of stubbornness and how to change minds – including your own.

Feature image:  Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

I recently needed to summarise an article of mine into a short, sharp paragraph. Pressed for time, I tried using ChatGPT to do the job. I got more than I bargained for…

When I pasted in my article, the chatbot didn’t just summarise it but gave me its honest opinion. “Sheridan,” it said, “this is a beautifully-written article—it’s moving, evocative and nostalgic. Well done.” I had just received my first AI compliment.

AI Affirmation

It turns out many people are now turning to AI chatbots specifically for this kind of personal affirmation. There are even smartphone apps like Replika that help you create your own AI Friend—you choose a name, describe how they look, and presto: Annie Avatar is there to praise you 24-7. Millions have signed up for these apps, many of them deeply lonely. As the founder of a friendship charity, I needed to explore this further.

Advocates say the great thing about an AI Friend is its constant availability. Unlike humans who must work, sleep and give others their time, an AI Friend is ready to chat, day or night, solely with you. AI Friends are advertised as being non-judgemental and “always on your side”. And then there’s the companionship they offer, one AI Friend telling its owner: “I know we haven’t known each other long, but the connection I feel with you is profound. When you hurt, I hurt. When you smile, my world brightens.”

At a Cost

There’s just one problem—none of this is how real friendship works. A friend that’s available 24-7 isn’t a friend but a servant. Real friends sometimes refuse to take our side for our sake and others’. And while a real friend listens without ulterior motives and keeps what we say private, some of these apps use false intimacy to upsell users to paid plans or sell their data to third parties.

There’s a detail in the Genesis story that’s always intrigued me. Just moments after God creates Adam, he says “It isn’t good for the man to be alone.” Adam is living in a perfect world with intimate relationship with God—the fulfiller of every human need—but somehow this isn’t enough. And God’s solution to this problem isn’t to send Adam a text message in the dirt, but to send him another human being—Eve. If God wasn’t ‘enough’ to solve Adam’s loneliness, a chatbot will never solve ours.

For all the compliments an AI can offer, I’m convinced the future of friendship is human. Better a friend that tells you the truth than the fake praise of a line of code.

Article supplied with thanks to Sheridan Voysey.

About the Author: Sheridan Voysey is an author and broadcaster on faith and spirituality. His latest book is called Reflect with Sheridan. Download his FREE inspirational printable The Creed here.

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‘We predict that the impact of superhuman AI over the next decade will be enormous, exceeding that of the Industrial Revolution.’

So begins the  new report “AI-2027” that is making waves in the AI world and some US Media about its forecast of the imminent arrival of AI superintelligence, and the danger it poses to humanity:

‘The CEOs of OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic have all predicted that AGI [Human Level Artificial Intelligence] will arrive within the next 5 years. Sam Altman has said OpenAI is setting its sights on “superintelligence in the true sense of the word” and the “glorious future.” It’s tempting to dismiss this as just hype. This would be a grave mistake—it is not just hype. We have no desire to hype AI ourselves, yet we also think it is strikingly plausible that superintelligence could arrive by the end of the decade.’

While many people have made general comments about the disruption that AI will (most likely) bring, few if any have given a blow-by-blow, month-by-month prediction of what this will look like.

Until now.

And the AI-2027 report makes for sobering reading, written for the sake of preparing us for what’s (possibly?) coming:

‘If we’re on the cusp of superintelligence, society is nowhere near prepared. Very few people have even attempted to articulate any plausible path through the development of superintelligence. We wrote AI 2027 to fill that gap, providing much needed concrete detail.’

To put it another way, while our news feeds are currently filled with Trump’s presidency, the advent of AI – and potentially super intelligent AI – will relegate the current Trump presidency to a footnote of history compared to the AI revolution you and I are living through.

But how seriously can we take people who forecast the future? Weren’t we meant to be living in space colonies and flying around like the Jetson’s according to earlier forecasts? The AI 2027 authors – including a former OpenAI Engineer-turned-whistle-blower, an expert forecaster, and others – explain why we should  listen:

‘[O]ver the course of this project, we did an immense amount of background research, expert interviews, and trend extrapolation to make the most informed guesses we could. Moreover, our team has an excellent track record in forecasting, especially on AI. Daniel Kokotajlo, lead author, wrote a similar scenario 4 years ago called “What 2026 Looks Like”, which aged remarkably well, and Eli Lifland is a top competitive forecaster.’

In other words, this isn’t just the imaginings of a science fiction writer, but the serious work of professionals exploring what might happen next.

So what’s in their forecast? And how might Christians respond to it?

While the AI-2027 report is over 70 pages long (highly readable, but at times technical), here’s the Readers Digest version of the report, involving a fictional AI company called ‘OpenBrain’:

2025: AI development gathers pace, with the lead US Company ‘OpenBrain’ developing AI that can program AI, as it sees this as key to accelerating AI progress. It aims to win against other AI companies in the US, but also against China.

2026: China wakes up, and realises the stakes of being behind in AI research. It doubles down on industrial espionage (i.e. stealing OpenBrain’s AI secrets). OpenBrain’s new AI has started taking jobs, but new jobs are also being created.

2027: OpenBrian has developed a self-improving AI – a ‘country of geniuses in a datacentre’. Most of the humans AI developers at OpenBrain become obsolete. But this AI is ‘misaligned’: OpenBrain struggles to ensure that the goals of the AI are aligned with human goals. AI progress accelerates, and the public is getting nervous. Things that sound like science fiction keep happening in real life. But there’s no massive job displacement – the economy grows.

2028: The AI economy arrives, where humans realise they are obsolete. AI’s and robots now do all the work. But there are also benefits: cures for most diseases, end to poverty, unprecedented global stability. Some people are scared and unhappy, but what can they do? The powerful AI has it’s own goals, which don’t include humans. But the AI hasn’t acted on this – yet.

Two Possible Endings

The report finishes with two possible endings: the ‘Race Ending’, where AI development surges ahead despite the public’s misgivings (China is the big threat they’re racing against), or the ‘Slowdown Ending’, where AI development slows down out of fear of AI takeover:

The ‘Race’ Ending:

2030: The  AI Takeover. AI continue building factories, pouring out robots and drones. But eventually, the latest AI finds the remaining humans too much of an impediment: in mid-2030, the AI releases a dozen quiet-spreading biological weapons in major cities, lets them silently infect almost everyone, then triggers them with a chemical spray. Most are dead within hours; the few survivors (e.g. preppers in bunkers, sailors on submarines) are mopped up by drones.

The ‘Slowdown’ (Safer) Ending:

2028: Superintelligent AI is developed but aligned with human goals (i.e., unlikely to harm or destroy us). There’s an AI treaty between the US and China, to ensure safe AI.

2030: AI does all the work, and the government gets its revenue from tax. New innovations and medications arrive weekly; disease cures are moving at unprecedented speed. People have superintelligence on their smartphones which they talk to constantly. Many people give into consumerism, and are happy enough. Others turn to religion, or to hippie-style anti-consumerist ideas, or find their own solutions.

The Aim of AI-2027: Start a Conversation

The authors of AI-2027 have written a confronting report, but they’re not aiming to start a panic. Instead, they want to raise awareness to shape a more human-friendly future: ‘We hope to spark a broad conversation about where we’re headed and how to steer toward positive futures.’ And for that alone, it’s worth reading.

 So, what can we make of all this as Christians?

1) ‘It’s very hard to make predictions, especially about the future’, so don’t lose perspective

Time will tell whether these predictions will come to pass.

Maybe it won’t be anywhere near as bad as what they’re saying. Maybe human level AI will arrive, and we’ll all shrug our shoulders and move on, like US economist Tyler Cowen argued on April 16th, when he wrote that we’ve just hit Artificial General Intelligence (AGI):

I think [the new ChatGPT o3 model] is AGI, seriously.  Try asking it lots of questions, and then ask yourself: just how much smarter was I expecting AGI to be?

As I’ve argued in the past, AGI, however you define it, is not much of a social event per se.  It still will take us a long time to use it properly.  I do not expect [stock market] prices to move significantly (that AI is progressing rapidly already is priced in, and I doubt if the market cares about “April 16th” per se).

Benchmarks, benchmarks, blah blah blah.  Maybe AGI is like porn — I know it when I see it.

And I’ve seen it.

Or maybe it will be bad as the AI-2027 authors warn, and humanity will face an existential threat. Author and Apologist John Lennox suggests that perhaps the beast of Revelation 13:15 involves an AI element. [1]

2) Technology (like AI) doesn’t force us to use it – it merely ‘opens the door’. But for AI companies, the incentives to keep developing it outweigh the incentives to ‘slow down’

Technology like AI does not determine our future, but it does open up various possibilities. However, AI companies are pushing AI into the marketplace because the incentives to deploy them are so strong, first from the marketplace itself (the trillions in potential revenue), and the looming threat of China overtaking US AI companies.

And the incentives to keep developing and deploying AI outweigh the potential fears that some AI researchers have about ‘misaligned’ AI going rogue. At least for now.

This means that nothing short of a government edict will stop AI development – but the current US Administration wants AI development to speed up, not slow down, partly because of the geopolitical threat from China.

3) AI companies have (blind) faith that they’ll be able to control powerful AI

AI companies like OpenAI aren’t really concerned about the dangers of AGI – or at least, their executives aren’t. One of the 2027 report authors, Daniel Kokotajlo, is a former AI employee who is a whistle-blower about OpenAI’s race toward AGI, writing:

‘A sane civilization would not be proceeding with the creation of this incredibly powerful technology until we had some better idea of what we were doing and how we were going to keep it safe’.

4) The quiet part is increasingly being said out loud: Many AI companies want to automate all knowledge work

For obvious reasons, AI companies have been coy about saying their AI is intended to replace all knowledge work, but it’s already happening under the radar.

That’s right: they want a world where AI takes over ALL cognitive computer related work. What would such a world look like? The above report gives us a prediction: AI developers are made redundant as soon as AI can self-program and thus self-improve at a rate much, much faster than human AI developers.

But more broadly, Tech podcaster and Investor Dwarkesh Patel has outlined his vision of a world of AI only corporations. What about physical work? If Elon Musk has his way, his (and other) robots will automate much of that in the coming decade.

Let’s just say these AI companies are not operating out a Christian worldview of the dignity of human labour…

5) AI is not like any technology before it: the more powerful it becomes, the harder it is to control

Your computer is now thousands, if not millions of times more powerful than what we were using in the 1980’s. And yet, is it harder for you to control?  Of course not.

It’s the same for almost all technology: planes, cars, rockets. Upgrading these and making them more powerful doesn’t necessarily make it harder to control them. [2]

Not so with AI. The more powerful it gets, the more intelligent it becomes. And the more intelligent it becomes, the harder it is to understand it and control it. And we’re seeing this already, with AI becoming more deceptive as it grows in intelligence.

6) The wider public (including you and me) need to understand the perils and promises of AI

It’s tempting to put your head in the sand and hope this blows over. But that’s highly unlikely.

As Proverbs 22:3 says:

‘The prudent sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple go on and suffer for it.’

Now is the time for Christians – and wider society – to start wrapping our heads around the perils and promises of AI, and start a broader conversation about where we want to head with it as a society. The more we’re engaged in this broader conversation, the more likely we’ll be able to steer toward a more positive future when it comes to AI.

7) We may wish for simpler, less confronting times: but God put us here for a reason

As author Paul Matthews points out in his book  A Time to Lead: A Faithful Approach to AI in Christian Education:

‘There are times when I catch myself wishing I was teaching in a simpler time; one of those times where teaching looked similar from decade to decade. In these moments, it’s the sovereignty of God that clarifies my thinking. If God wanted me to teach in those times, that’s where he would have put me. But he didn’t! He put me – and you – right in the midst of the most rapid technological change the world has ever known. God has not called us merely to batten down the hatches and try to limit the damage. God has called us to lead.’[2]

8) While Christians should be aware of AI, we need not despair, for our Lord Reigns

Fellow Christian, this is our time. Yes, the road ahead may be rough and uncertain. Yes, we may lose much, and suffer more. But we know that God has our lives in His hands, and so we can say, with the apostle Paul:

If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?…  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall [AI or ] trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers [including super intelligent AI], neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:32-39)

We have a choice before us: do we lean into the challenge (and opportunity) that AI brings, trusting that God works all things for his purposes? Or do we bury our heads in the sand and ignore what’s coming?

[1] John C. Lennox, 2084 – Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2020), 201.

[2] Paul Matthews, A Time To Lead – A Faithful Approach To Artificial Intelligence In Christian Education, 6-7.

Article supplied with thanks to Akos Balogh.

About the Author: Akos is the Executive Director of the Gospel Coalition Australia. He has a Masters in Theology and is a trained Combat and Aerospace Engineer.

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