Against a backdrop of uncertainty, people are searching for new sources of control and stability. Where science and ancient wisdom have been conventionally pitted against one another, many are moving towards an integrated approach to authority that draws from the best of both worlds.

People are taking a patchwork approach to self-expression to feel like they have control over how their identity is generated. Yet as individual expression becomes more mutable and mistrust in social systems abounds, there’s one place above all that people are seeking integrity and guidance: brands.

A survey has revealed that more 18- to 25-year-olds in the US believe in a ‘higher power’ in 2022 than in 2021, though this belief does not necessarily stem from faith in conventional religion. Alternate forms of spirituality are helping young people derive a greater sense of control and community.

When OpenAI released ChatGPT to the public, the text generator made a clear case for the sheer disruptive force of AI – making it apparent that such technology will change the way we experience information and engage with brands. But major challenges remain before AI elbows humans out of the way.

The Deepen AI therapy app aims to guide users toward mental well-being through self-exploration. While AI bots could bridge many accessibility gaps to therapy, privacy issues and ethical concerns over AI diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions could put consumers off the tech.