To a first-order approximation the economy ~ AI: there's no doubt that sci-fi has moved from being our culture's concept of the future to being a major factor in investment portfolios. But sci-fi goes beyond AI, and the sci-fi component of markets is deeper and older than today's frenzy. I've put together here a set of time series showing how often different "sci-fi terms" have been mentioned in 10-K filings over time. Look at the history, remember the fallen, and if you dare try to figure out what will be in this list tomorrow.
The SFI Index
In short
Science fiction has evolved from simple cultural storytelling into a tangible force guiding modern corporate strategies and investment allocations. To monitor this ongoing shift beyond immediate trends like artificial intelligence, researchers assembled time-series data tracking specific speculative vocabulary in corporate 10-K filings. The collected historical metrics illustrate past thematic shifts while highlighting terms that have since fallen out of favor. This ongoing tracking also establishes a foundation to observe which emerging future concepts will appear next in company filings.
Key points
- Corporate 10-K filings provide measurable historical data showing the financial integrati…: Corporate 10-K filings provide measurable historical data showing the financial integration of speculative vocabulary.
- The influence of science fiction on corporate investment represents a durable trend exten…: The influence of science fiction on corporate investment represents a durable trend extending far beyond artificial intelligence.
- Historical disclosure trends offer a systematic basis for identifying which future concep…: Historical disclosure trends offer a systematic basis for identifying which future concepts will emerge in regulatory filings.