WorldNow | The World Ahead: 2027

Each year, The Economist‘s The World Ahead series examines the forces expected to shape the year ahead. Covering politics, technology, society, and beyond, the series, edited by Tom Standage, offers an ambitious and wide-ranging look at what’s next. On December 3, Standage returns to WorldNow with Jim Falk to unpack his predictions for the trends that will define 2027.

Meet the Economist
Tom Standage is deputy editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual, “The World Ahead.” Standage directs the newspaper’s digital strategy and the development of new digital products and is the author of seven history books, including Writing on the Wall (2013), The Victorian Internet (1998), and A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2005). He studied engineering and computing at Oxford University and has written for other publications including the New York Times, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and Wired.

Meet the Host
Jim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org).

A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021, helping expand the organization’s role as one of the nation’s leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats, senior intelligence officials, policymakers, military leaders, scholars, journalists, and bestselling authors from around the world.

Through WorldNow and The Forum, he continues his commitment to fostering informed, civil dialogue on the international, political, social, and cultural issues shaping our world.

WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and presented in partnership with Councils nationwide: World Affairs Councils of America, Alaska World Affairs Council, Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Columbia World Affairs Council, Columbus Council on World Affairs, Foreign Policy Association, Global Sacramento, Global Santa Fe, Global Ties – Arizona, International Affairs Forum, Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Montana World Affairs Council, Off the Record, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, San Diego World Affairs Council, Savannah Council on World Affairs, St. Petersburg World Affairs Council, Tennessee World Affairs Council, Worcester World Affairs Council, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Atlanta, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, World Affairs Council of Las Vegas, World Affairs Council of Miami, World Affairs Council of New Orleans, World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, World Affairs Council of San Antonio, World Affairs Council of Sonoma County, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, and WorldOregon.