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The future on screen · Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)

The Future with Hannah Fry: what the evidence says about the future of technology

What the series covers, where its subjects stand on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.

What it covers

About the series

A documentary series in which mathematician Professor Hannah Fry meets the people working on technologies that could reshape the world, from living to 150 and emotion-reading computers to nuclear fusion, quantum computing and superintelligence. It was made by Bloomberg with Windfall Films and first streamed on Bloomberg in 2023 (series 1) and 2024 (series 2). The BBC licensed both six-part series from TVF International: series 1 began on BBC Two and iPlayer on 13 May 2026 and series 2 is now on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Broadcaster
Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)
Made by
Bloomberg Media with Windfall Films
Distributed by
TVF International
First shown
22 February 2023 (Bloomberg); 13 May 2026 (BBC Two)
Episodes
12

Official programme page (Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026))

Episodes

Episode by episode

Series 1: The 150-Year LifeLongevity: what the evidence saysSeries 1: OK Computer, How Do I Feel?Emotion-reading AI: what the evidence saysSeries 1: Weaponising DataData and privacy: what the evidence saysSeries 1: Nuclear FusionNuclear fusion: what the evidence saysSeries 1: InclusionTechnology for disabled people: what the evidence saysSeries 1: RewildingRewilding and nature recovery: what the evidence saysSeries 2: SuperintelligenceArtificial superintelligence: what the evidence saysSeries 2: Animal CommunicationAI and animal communication: what the evidence saysSeries 2: Quantum Arms RaceQuantum computing: what the evidence saysSeries 2: WaterWater security: what the evidence saysSeries 2: PainPain treatment: what the evidence saysSeries 2: The Next BillionGetting the next billion people online: what the evidence says

What the evidence says

Where the future of technology stands in 2026

The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.

  • Technology · IntelligenceArtificial Super Intelligence

    Artificial superintelligence is an AI far smarter than any person. It is only a theory, and none exists.

    Expected wide use
    2046
    Status in 2026
    Watch
    Readiness
    TRL 1 of 9
  • Technology · ComputeQuantum Computing

    Quantum computing uses the strange rules of very small particles to process information. For some tasks it could be far faster than the computers we use today.

    Expected wide use
    2038
    Status in 2026
    Watch
    Readiness
    TRL 7 of 9
  • Technology · EnergyFusion

    Fusion power joins small atoms together, as the Sun does, to release heat that makes electricity. Working power plants are still being developed.

    Expected wide use
    2065
    Status in 2026
    Watch
    Readiness
    TRL 5 of 9
  • Technology · User InterfacesAffective Computing

    Affective computing is about computers that notice human feelings. They try to understand them, and even copy them. A face or a voice can give clues.

    Expected wide use
    2033
    Status in 2026
    Explore
    Readiness
    TRL 7 of 9
  • Trend · TechnologicalArtificial Intelligence
    Expected wide use
    2024
    Status in 2026
    Act now
  • Trend · EnvironmentalWater Scarcity and Stress
    Expected wide use
    2018
    Status in 2026
    Act now
  • Trend · SocietalDemise of Anonymity and Privacy
    Expected wide use
    2018
    Status in 2026
    Act now
  • Trend · SocietalAgeing Population
    Expected wide use
    2010
    Status in 2026
    Act now

Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.

311 analysis

What leaders should take from it

  1. The series spans subjects that arrive decades apart: emotion tracking is here now, fusion and superintelligence are Watch-ring technologies. Plan for each on its own timeline.
  2. Most of the near-term impact is in data, AI and water, not in the headline moonshots; that is where boards should spend their attention this year.
  3. Use programmes like this to start conversations with your teams, then test every claim against the evidence before you act on it.

Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.

Next steps

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Answers

Common questions

Who makes The Future with Hannah Fry?

It is a Bloomberg Original, made by Bloomberg with the UK production company Windfall Films. TVF International distributes it, and the BBC licensed it for BBC Two and iPlayer in 2026.

How many episodes are there?

Twelve half-hour episodes in two series of six. All twelve are listed on the BBC programme page.

Where can I watch The Future with Hannah Fry in the UK?

On BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Series 1 began on BBC Two on 13 May 2026 and series 2 followed later in the year.

Related

Read more from the 311 Institute

The State of AI · Starburst Centre · More programmes about the future