Paul Banksley, a leading expert on 22nd-century skills, believes that the future is full of opportunities.

It’s been half a decade since my last encounter with the 22nd-century skills prodigy Paul Banksley. Readers may remember my initial coverage of Banksley in 2018, when he transitioned from being an unemployed vacuum seller to a renowned figure after establishing the nonprofit “Tomorrows Are for Tomorrow.” In his widely acclaimed TED talk, he emphasized the importance of shifting focus from 21st-century skills to the 22nd-century skills.

During a brief interview conducted during his private jet journey from Davos to Silicon Valley, Banksley reminisced about his journey to becoming a symbol in the education realm. Reflecting on his past, he mentioned, “After losing my job in vacuum sales, I realized that the skills of the 22nd century surpass those of the 21st century—they are a level up.”

When asked about the inception of his famous TED talk, Banksley revealed, “I didn’t script my speech. I simply conveyed my belief that the 22nd century is imminent, essential, and necessitates the development of relevant skills. Unknowingly, it became the most-watched TED talk ever.”