INTRODUCTION: FUTURISM FOR IMPACT
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Monika Bielskyte is a futurist in residence @Nike and founder of @ProtopiaFutures.
Her work is anchored in contextual, complex realities on the ground, rather than one-size-fits-all techno-solutionism, which is prone to short-term hype cycles and rapid obsolescence.
With expertise in information technologies and immersive media (generative AI, spatial computation, VR/XR, UI, UX), Monika examines both the promises and perils of innovation, as the blurring boundaries between the digital and physical worlds become increasingly weaponized through strategies of hybrid warfare.
Monika is passionate about the value-add of accessibility and embodiment considerations, to all innovation processes. The edge insights of “invisible” disabilities and neurodivergence inform her strategic foresight practice — from tech to consumer products to policy to built environment.
As a speculative designer, Monika bridges the worlds of entertainment and real future-making by prototyping culturally expansive, socially and environmentally engaged future visions that combine the best of creativity and science, delivering energizing vision, lasting value and resilience to disruptions. Inspiring curiosity, and rendering futures literacy more compelling, is the connective tissue across all of her work.
MONIKA BIELSKYTE’S CURRENT ROLES & AFFILIATIONS:
As founder, Monika leads a research and creative studio reimagining how futures are represented and shaped. She develops inclusive, grounded frameworks and collaborates across the domains of science, tech and design.
CLIMATE SPRING – FUTURIST
Monika supports the film industry in developing more regenerative depictions of the future for long
format content. She co-leads Protopian Storyworld Design and strategy workshops for both media talent and executives.
Monika is Nike’s first futurist in residence, with a mandate for Embodied Futures, Storyworld Design and Strategy. Her unique role is focused on the vision for innovation in service of a more expansive human experience.
INCLUSIVE AI LAB – FUTURIST
Monika is Nike’s first futurist in residence, with a mandate for Embodied Futures, Storyworld Design and Strategy. Her unique role is focused on the vision for innovation in service of a more expansive human experience.
Monika is part of a select group of experts EY engages for internal strategy, external collaborations and Wavespace projects. She guides on strategic foresight, innovation and long-term thinking for global, cross-industry challenges.
ALCD – PARTNER & AUTHOR
Monika co-built African Life-Centric Design, expanding foresight perspectives with Global Majority futures and emphasizing scientific research and technological development that is anchored in its contextual reality.