A new Samsung study reveals the cultural icons who foresaw the future — from AI to online dating — decades before it became our reality.
In a new UK study commissioned by Samsung, names like George Orwell, The Simpsons, and David Bowie top the list of cultural figures who most accurately predicted the world we live in today.
The research, conducted to celebrate Samsung’s “Can Your Phone Do This?” campaign, asked 2,000 Brits which pop culture creators, writers and musicians best foresaw the technological and social revolutions shaping modern life — from AI to smart devices.
While Orwell’s dystopian warnings were expected, the poll results show it’s often pop culture’s most unlikely prophets who saw the future first.
The Visionary Hall of Fame
Here are the Top 10 cultural icons who predicted the future:
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George Orwell – The 1984 author foresaw surveillance culture and media manipulation that echo in today’s world.
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The Simpsons – The beloved sitcom has famously “predicted” everything from smartwatches to space tourism over its 35-year run.
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David Bowie – In the ’90s, Bowie said the internet would “change society beyond all recognition” — and he was right.
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Captain Kirk (Star Trek) – Communicators, foldable screens and smart assistants all first appeared on Star Trek.
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Ridley Scott – Blade Runner’s depiction of AI and biometric ID feels eerily familiar today.
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Kate Bush – In Deeper Understanding, she sang about finding companionship through computers — years before social media.
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Roald Dahl – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory predicted influencer culture through fame-hungry characters like Veruca Salt.
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Ross from Friends – The 1999 quip about AI being “smarter than humans by 2030” doesn’t feel so far-fetched now.
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Prince – His 1982 album 1999 imagined virtual love and digital intimacy.
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Björk – The Icelandic icon predicted emotionally expressive technology decades before AI art and music tools.
From Sci-Fi to Samsung Galaxy AI
Brits also recalled real-world innovations that first appeared in pop culture — from self-driving cars to voice assistants and video calls. Nearly seven in ten (68%) say AI-powered smartphones make them feel like they’re “carrying the future in their pocket.”
One in four people (24%) now use AI tools daily — whether for composing messages, translating speech, or editing videos.
Broadcaster Fearne Cotton helped unveil the Visionary Hall of Fame in a special countdown video.
“These icons didn’t just dream about the future; they made it a reality,” said Cotton. “The future they imagined is right here at our fingertips.”
Annika Bizon, VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK & Ireland, added:
“With Galaxy AI, we’re not just keeping pace with visionaries — we’re shaping what comes next. When you hold the future in your hand, you’re defining it.”
The Future, in Your Pocket
Samsung’s Galaxy AI features — including Live Translate, Note Assist, and Audio Eraser — redefine what it means to live smarter.
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Audio Eraser removes background noise for crystal-clear recordings.
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Generative Edit lets users erase unwanted objects from photos.
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Live Translate enables instant multilingual conversations.
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Drawing Assist turns quick sketches into art with one tap.
Samsung’s campaign asks the question: Can your phone do this?
To learn more about the Galaxy AI innovations transforming everyday life, visit Samsung UK’s official site.
