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Embrace Change and Thrive in the Next Quarter-Century

By Paige Kassalen

Twenty-five years ago, the world held its breath, waiting to see what would happen when the clock struck midnight on 31 December 1999. Do you remember what you were doing at that moment?

That year, we weren’t just saying goodbye to another year — we were stepping into an entirely new millennium, and it felt like we were on the brink of stepping straight into a sci-fi movie.

At the same time, there were real fears about Y2K and what it could mean for our infrastructure. Many worried that computer systems would fail, planes might fall out of the sky, and chaos would erupt. Achieving that monumental milestone was a moment filled with hope and wonder — a celebration of the unlimited potential of a new era.

When you look at change year-over-year, the change doesn’t always seem so monumental. But when you look at how much has changed over a quarter-century, the impact is evident. The emergence of social media made it easier to stay close with friends across the globe; smart phones gave us access to any information at our fingertips; and cloud computing, automation and artificial intelligence have transformed the way we work.

So, how can you embrace change and thrive in the next quarter-century?

1. Stop Doing Things the Way They’ve Always Been Done, and Reset Your Baseline for 2025

When you compare 2025 to 2000, it’s no surprise that there are dramatic differences in society — and in your own life. Change compounds over 25 years, shaping a reality that would have seemed unimaginable decades ago. To thrive in this new quarter-century, it’s essential to align yourself with the present, embracing the 2025 baseline rather than clinging to outdated norms or practices.

Ask yourself: Do you embrace new technologies, or do you dismiss their impact? Are you open to fresh ways of thinking and new leadership styles, or are you still rooted in the methods of the early 2000s?

The tools of the past cannot effectively solve the challenges of the present and future. We must accept that it is 2025, and reset our baseline, adapt to the present, and approach the future with a forward-thinking, modern outlook.

2. Embrace New Technologies, But Understand the Modern-Day Threats

Just as Y2K brought both excitement and fear, a new quarter-century will do the same. Unfortunately, it’s much easier to visually see if your computer has crashed than to identify an AI deepfake or other digital threats.

According to a study published in the Oxford Academic Journal of Cyber Security, participants were given 20 images randomly selected from a pool of 50 deepfake images and 50 images of real human faces to see how well humans could identify a deepfake. The study concluded that “participant accuracy was 62% overall,” and the results suggest “that there is a need for an urgent call to action to address this threat.”

We have the tools to be successful at navigating digital threats over the next quarter-century, but it starts with awareness and education. Stay skeptical of content that seems overly dramatic or too good to be true, verify the sources of the information you consume, and understand how social media algorithms influence the content you see.

3. Envision Who You Want to be in 25 Years

Planning is everything, so we must ask ourselves: In 25 years, do you envision being the same person you are today, or do you hope to grow in certain aspects?

We often focus on 5-year or 10-year plans, but 25 years — a full quarter-century — offers a unique perspective on long-term transformation. This is more than a question of what you want to achieve; it’s about the legacy you want to build, and the impact you hope to have on the world around you. Milestones like the start of a new quarter-century offer a rare opportunity to reflect deeply, and establish a path that will lead to the person you hope to become 25 years from now.

The next quarter-century is an open canvas, filled with opportunities for growth, innovation and transformation. By resetting your baseline, embracing new technologies responsibly, and envisioning the legacy you want to leave, you can navigate change with confidence and purpose. 2025 and beyond is your time to thrive — embrace it boldly and make it extraordinary.

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Paige Kassalen

Paige Kassalen has an electrical engineering degree from Virginia Tech and a Master of Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon. Kassalen began her career as the only American engineer working with Solar Impulse 2, the first solar-powered airplane to circumnavigate the globe. This role landed Kassalen a spot on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list along with feature articles in Glamour, Teen Vogue, and Fast Company. Since Solar Impulse, Kassalen worked in the manufacturing and finance industries to create implementation strategies for a range of emerging technology trends from autonomous vehicles to machine learning. She was the Chief Operating Officer at CrowdAI, a start-up named by Forbes as one of the most promising AI companies in 2021. CrowdAI was acquired by Saab, Inc. in 2023, and Kassalen now serves as the Chief of Staff for the strategy division.

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