Tomorrow - The Future Forum Podcast

What AI Means for Your Career, Business & Children | Husayn Kassai

What happens when one of Europe’s leading AI founders looks 20 years into the future? In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, Oli Barrett sits down with entrepreneur Husayn Kassai to explore the future of AI, startups, work, education and human potential. Husayn shares the story behind building Onfido from an Oxford University idea into one of the UK’s standout AI success stories, after being rejected by more than 100 investors. He explains why today’s founders need different skills, why AI will massively reshape the workforce, and why human judgment, relationships and culture will matter. Husayn Kassai is founder and CEO of ollo, building internal AI capability for mid-market companies. Before ollo, he co-founded and led Onfido as CEO – growing it from zero to $100m ARR in 7 years before its 2024 acquisition, the largest UK AI exit. He is based at London's AI Hub. Husayn holds a BA in Economics and Management from Keble College, Oxford, and served as President of Oxford Entrepreneurs. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters 00:00 – Introducing Husayn Kassai & The Future of AI 01:22 – What The World Looks Like in 16 Years 02:32 – Building Startups Around Technological Shifts 04:54 – Starting an eBay Business at 12 Years Old 07:54 – Building Onfido & Spotting the Identity Problem 09:54 – The Two “Miracles” Investors Didn’t Believe 12:48 – Why Timing Matters in Startups 13:05 – What’s Easier & Harder for Founders Today 15:24 – AI Teams: Why 14 People Can Do the Work of 50 18:16 – The Skills AI Still Can’t Replace 19:42 – What Husayn Looks For When Hiring 22:04 – Why Young Workers Will Drive AI Adoption 23:59 – The Rise of “Shadow AI” Inside Companies 24:49 – Do Great Founders Need Trauma? 27:54 – What Investors Get Wrong About Startups 29:42 – The Biggest Leadership Lesson Husayn Learned 29:53 – The Founder Skill AI Will Never Replace 31:15 – AI’s Biggest Opportunities: Healthcare & Education 32:51 – The Growing Risk of AI Inequality 35:48 – What Governments Should Do Differently 37:28 – Should Schools Embrace AI? 39:39 – Growing Up Between Iran & The UK 41:54 – Would Husayn Hire Himself Today? 42:07 – Why Learning AI Is Like Learning Excel in the 90s 43:09 – Why Physical AI Communities Matter 44:05 – Why The UK Is Still a Great Place to Build 45:11 – Why Ollo Will Be His Last Startup 45:50 – Using AI to Help Developing Countries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How Humanoid Robots Could Change Work, Care & Everyday Life Forever | Stewart Miller.

What happens when artificial intelligence gets a body? In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, Victoria Usher and Oli Barrett sit down with Stewart Miller, Former CEO, National Robotarium, to explore the future of humanoid robotics, AI-powered machines, healthcare automation, and what society must do to prepare for a world where humans and robots live side by side. From robot carers in hospitals and homes to AI-enabled humanoids working in factories, this conversation dives into the next major technological wave beyond large language models and ChatGPT. Stewart Miller, Former CEO, National Robotarium Stewart Miller is an experienced business leader with a background in the aerospace sector. He took up the position of Chief Executive Officer at the National Robotarium in 2021 having previously been Chief Technology Officer of the UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, in addition to previously working in senior roles at major firms including Leonardo and BAE Systems. Stewart is a member of the Scottish Government Industry Leadership Group for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, an advisory board member of the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, and a non-executive director of the Satellite Application Catapult. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters 00:00 – The future: robots everywhere in daily life 00:35 – Introduction to the National Robotarium 01:21 – Humanoid robots explained 01:53 – What will life look like in 10 years? 04:23 – The breakthrough: AI meets robotics 05:32 – Why humanoid robots feel “freaky” 06:12 – Robots in the home and domestic life 07:20 – How AI teaches robots to learn 08:54 – Real-world robotics already happening today 09:17 – Robots in BMW factories and logistics 10:40 – Dexterity: the key to useful robots 11:46 – Stewart Miller on the National Robotarium’s mission 14:06 – Why society isn’t prepared for robotics 16:03 – Should we ban or embrace new technologies? 17:40 – The psychology of human-like robots 19:46 – Should robots look human? 21:42 – Ethics, regulation and international governance 23:05 – Exoskeletons and assistive robotics 24:20 – The robotics startups changing healthcare 26:24 – The future office and healthcare automation 27:10 – Robot carers and ageing populations 31:31 – Will robots replace jobs? 35:11 – Who should lead the public conversation on robotics? 36:22 – Stewart Miller’s message to the future 37:31 – Where to follow the National Robotarium 38:45 – Post-show reactions and key takeaways 40:20 – Robotics in defence and warfare 41:05 – Final thoughts and outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Why India Is the World’s Most Underrated Tech Superpower | Priya Guha MBE

In this episode of Tomorrow – The Future Forum Podcast, host Oli Barrett sits down with Priya Guha MBE, ex-UK Consul General to San Francisco, to explore the future of global innovation, diplomacy, and economic power. Why are we still overlooking India, despite its rapid rise as a digital and economic powerhouse? From mobile payments leapfrogging the West to the realities of building global tech ecosystems, Priya shares insights from her unique career spanning diplomacy, venture capital, and innovation. Priya Guha MBE Priya Guha MBE, ex-UK Consul General to San Francisco, is deeply embedded in the UK and global tech ecosystem through her roles in government, investment, startups and corporates. Amongst other roles, she is a NED at UKRI, the Herald Investment Trust, Reach plc and the Digital Catapult. She is also a Member of the Investment Governance Board of Future Planet Capital and an Advisor to Gallos Technologies. Priya is a long-standing advocate for inclusion, believing it is key for long-term economic growth and for addressing the world’s biggest challenges. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters (Timecode) 00:00 Why India Is Being Overlooked 00:20 Introduction to Priya Guha 01:38 Optimism About the Future 02:54 Why India Deserves More Attention 04:40 India’s QR Code Payment Revolution 06:09 What Makes Silicon Valley Work 08:39 Lessons the UK Should Learn 09:39 What India Does Better Than the West 10:57 Role of Government in Innovation 12:10 Bridging Different Worlds & Sectors 13:03 Power of Human Connection 14:15 Future of Diplomacy Explained 16:43 Beyond Government-to-Government Relations 18:34 Why Inclusive Growth Won’t Happen Naturally 21:29 When Governments Overreach (AI Example) 22:36 Funding Gap for Women & Inclusion 23:33 “Mini-Embassies” to Big Tech Companies 25:23 #1 Skill for Future Diplomats 26:21 How Innovation Ecosystems Are Built 27:34 What Global Founders Do Differently 30:53 The Skill of Difficult Conversations 32:30 Skills Humans Must Master for the Future 35:09 UK–India Future Opportunities 38:00 What’s Next for Priya Guha 43:05 A Message to the Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

How Space Will Transform the Future of Technology | Joshua Western

What if the future of manufacturing isn’t on Earth at all? In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum Podcast, hosts Oli Barrett and Victoria Usher sit down with Joshua Western, CEO of Space Forge, to explore how space is becoming the next frontier for industrial innovation. Joshua explains how his company is manufacturing ultra-pure semiconductor materials in space, unlocking breakthroughs that could transform AI, energy efficiency, and global supply chains. Joshua Western, CEO; Co-founder, Space Forge Joshua Western is the CEO and co-founder of Space Forge, the advanced materials company pioneering a new era of manufacturing by using space to engineer the semiconductors that will power tomorrow’s technologies. Since co-founding the company in 2018 with Andrew Bacon, Josh has led Space Forge from its Bristol origins to its position as a global materials leader – operating across the UK, US and EU – and establishing the world’s first returnable and relaunchable in-space manufacturing platform. Josh’s work has been recognised across the international space and technology sectors, including at the Global Space Awards, reflecting his contribution to advancing responsible, high-impact innovation in one of the world’s most critical emerging industries. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters 00:00 – Why space matters more than ever 00:30 – Introduction to the podcast & guest 01:10 – Why space is becoming a new industry 03:20 – The breakthrough: bringing materials back from space 05:20 – What Space Forge actually does 07:00 – How space improves manufacturing processes 09:40 – Why semiconductors are critical to everything 12:10 – The UK’s role in the global space race 13:15 – Joshua Western’s unexpected career path 15:50 – Starting Space Forge from scratch 16:10 – Lessons from working across industries 19:15 – “Failure of the Month” culture 20:10 – Customers, growth & future plans 20:45 – The biggest challenge: regulation 23:10 – Building a deep-tech team in Wales 25:10 – Who is winning the space race? 28:45 – Space as an economic platform, not an industry 32:15 – Why government support matters 32:40 – Space, sustainability & Earth’s future 35:10 – Is space environmentally sustainable? 37:25 – Why space needs better storytelling 38:00 – New scientific possibilities in space 40:35 – The most exciting future discovery 41:10 – Are we alone in the universe? 42:20 – Memo to the future: what really matters 43:30 – Final reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Future of Childhood: Why We’re Failing Kids | Paul Lindley OBE

What if the future of society depends on how we treat children today? In this episode of Tomorrow: The Future Forum, Oli Barrett sits down with Paul Lindley OBE, entrepreneur, campaigner, and former CEO of Ella's Kitchen, the UK’s leading organic baby and toddler food brand. From building one of the UK’s most successful baby food brands to shaping national conversations on childhood, Paul shares a bold vision for 2050, one where children are trusted, empowered, and central to society. Paul also draws on insights from Sesame Workshop and his work on the Play Commission to challenge how we design systems for the next generation. About the Podcast The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co [http://www.futureforum.co/] Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about the future of leadership, innovation and creativity. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Paul Lindley’s mission   00:55 A vision for 2050: children at the centre   02:29 What drives Paul after success   03:54 From Nickelodeon to Ella’s Kitchen   05:19 The idea behind “Raising the Nation”   08:22 Big ideas: care system & votes at age 6   12:20 Why government systems fail children   13:52 Businesses doing things differently   15:50 B Corps & redefining success   17:52 What great children’s media gets right   19:17 Would Paul change anything?   20:05 The UK as the best place to grow up   23:00 Are we failing children today?   24:57 Why play is essential for life   26:48 If Paul ran government: what changes first   31:04 The “right to play” explained   33:48 Why play matters in adult life too   35:11 Cross-sector thinking & big challenges   39:47 The future of universities   42:29 Final message to future generations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]