Since its launch on April 13, 2025, the GESDA Public Portal to Anticipation has emerged as a powerful catalyst for public engagement with the future of science. Installed at the Swiss Pavilion, it has become a platform for imagination, optimism, and co-creation — far exceeding its original engagement goals.
Public Engagement & Reach
- Duration Open: 141 days (2 days closed)
- Total Visitors Engaged: Estimated 594,174, or 74% of the Swiss Pavilion’s 797,816 attendees
- Total Interactions Logged: 397,130, including:
- 294,035 (74%) newly created future visions
- 103,325 (26%) curated visions
- Daily Average:
- 2,817 interactions per day
- Adjusted for group participation: approx. 4,214 users/day
Key Insights from Public Feedback
- Overwhelmingly Positive Response:
- 90% of 3,767 survey respondents said they “loved” the experience
- 87% reported feeling empowered to shape the future after using the Portal
- Emotional Impact & Mindset Shift:
- Mixed initial emotions: 54% interest, 40% joy, 35% fear
- However, users overwhelmingly chose joyful futures during vision creation
- The Portal acts as a “hope amplifier”, turning curiosity and concern into optimism and possibility
Content Themes & Public Priorities
- Top Themes in Future Visions:
- Biomedical Futures: Health, longevity, human augmentation
- Environmental Repair: Eco-regeneration, future food systems
- Health stands out as the greatest concern and greatest source of hope
Conclusion
The GESDA Public Portal has successfully sparked widespread participation, reflection, and hope. It demonstrates how interactive foresight tools can activate collective imagination and drive inclusive conversations about the future of science and humanity.
