Gerd Leonhard

Catch Gerd Leonhard on Do Radio: It’s Not About Trees with John Lunn 29th June - 5th July 2026.

Gerd Leonhard is a futurist, humanist, author and internationally recognised keynote speaker who advises business leaders, governments and organisations on the future of technology, society and sustainable economic development. He is the founder of The Futures Agency and has spent more than two decades helping organisations understand the implications of digital transformation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

A former professional musician turned futurist, Gerd is the author of several influential books on technology, business and society. His work focuses on the belief that while technology is advancing exponentially, human values must remain at the centre of decision-making. He is a prominent advocate for what he describes as “human-centric” innovation — ensuring that progress enhances human flourishing rather than diminishing it.

Through his writing, speaking and advisory work, Gerd challenges leaders to think beyond short-term financial outcomes and towards longer-term measures of success that balance prosperity, people and planet. His recent work on the concept of the “Sustack” reflects his belief that the future of business lies in integrating sustainability, purpose and economic value into a single framework for growth.

Today, Gerd continues to work globally with organisations navigating disruption, helping them prepare for a future where technological progress and human values must evolve together.

Show Notes

In this episode of It’s Not About Trees, John is joined by futurist, author and keynote speaker Gerd Leonhard for a wide-ranging conversation about technology, humanity, sustainability and the future we are actively creating.

Known globally for his work exploring the intersection of technology, business and society, Gerd argues that we are entering a period of profound transformation. Artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies are reshaping industries at unprecedented speed, but the real question is not what technology can do — it is what kind of future we want it to create.

The discussion explores the growing tension between technological progress and human values. While AI offers extraordinary opportunities, Gerd believes the defining challenge of the coming decades will be ensuring that technology serves humanity rather than replacing the qualities that make us human: empathy, creativity, wisdom, trust and purpose.

A central theme of the conversation is the need for a new economic model that moves beyond narrow definitions of success. Gerd introduces his concept of the “Sustack” — an approach that combines sustainability, capital markets and long-term value creation, encouraging businesses and investors to balance profit with wider measures of human, social and environmental wellbeing. The future, he argues, belongs to organisations that can create value across multiple dimensions rather than focusing solely on financial returns.

The episode also examines leadership in an age of uncertainty, the importance of systems thinking and why optimism remains a strategic choice. While many of today’s challenges can feel overwhelming, Gerd believes that humanity has both the tools and the imagination required to create a more regenerative, inclusive and prosperous future — if we are prepared to make conscious choices about the systems we build