Future Historian Prompt
Use AI to imagine a future failure and work backwards to spot risks, assumptions and warning signs.
Prompt
Imagine it is five years in the future and the decision, project or trend below has failed. Work backwards carefully. Do not make the failure dramatic unless the details support it.
Decision, project or trend:
[PASTE IDEA]
Audience or people affected:
[WHO IT MATTERS TO]
Current assumptions:
[WHAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN]
Please include:
- what went wrong
- early warning signs
- assumptions that proved false
- missed evidence
- people affected
- costs or consequences
- actions that could reduce the risk now
- what to monitor
- questions to ask before deciding
Decision, project or trend:
[PASTE IDEA]
Audience or people affected:
[WHO IT MATTERS TO]
Current assumptions:
[WHAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN]
Please include:
- what went wrong
- early warning signs
- assumptions that proved false
- missed evidence
- people affected
- costs or consequences
- actions that could reduce the risk now
- what to monitor
- questions to ask before deciding
Example Input
Idea: relying on AI browsers for everyday online shopping and admin. People affected: small business owner and staff. Assumptions: the tool will save time, choose accurately and protect data.
Example Output
A future failure review with warning signs, false assumptions, consequences, risk-reduction actions and questions to ask now.
Before you ask
Add the decision or project, who it affects and the assumptions people are making now.
Check before use
Check that the risks are realistic and useful. Treat them as prompts for planning, not predictions.
Common mistakes
Accepting a dramatic future story instead of using it to identify practical checks and early warning signs.
Useful for:
Research
Works well with:
ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot
Nova9 Tools
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