Testimonial by Thomas Lee, Professor and Investigator of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University

“The Future Trends Forum participants are chosen from a remarkably wide cross-section of disciplines. Many of the members are from outside -- in some cases, from far outside -- the financial sector. The comprehensive coverage provided by the composition of the group avoids the "tunnel vision" that can afflict any organization in which the participants are very similar in background. The Bankinter Foundation of Innovation has evidently aimed for a broad view consciously, and selected a group that serves that aim.

As is probably the case with most Forum participants, I rarely get the opportunity to interact in a meaningful way with those in disciplines far removed from my own. I rarely get a chance to work with my counterparts even in other departments of my own University. The FTF provides a golden opportunity to meet brilliant, accomplished people who have worldviews and deep knowledge quite different from my own. And somehow, with so many different "orchestra musicians," the FTF is able to make harmonious music. I find this to be a remarkable result. It has been, and continues to be, an enriching educational experience.

The other groups of which I am a member are very narrowly focused subject-wise, and relatively short-term focused time-wise. The membership composition reflects that narrow charter. The FTF is quite different. The Forum is willing to consider unbelievably deep, complex problems (e.g. Energy, Personalized medicine) that have no short-term solutions, but that nonetheless may produce short-to-medium term opportunities. This boldness -and the accompanying willingness to consider innovative approaches to these problems - sets this Forum apart from others.”