AI Will Lead Us Back to Nature

By Arnold Wittkamp, CEO of Thursd

People often ask me how I see the future. As CEO of Thursd—and perhaps unofficially, its Chief Futurist—my answer is always the same: I’m extremely positive, especially about the role of flowers and plants in the decades ahead.

We’re entering a moment in history where the digital world, led by artificial intelligence, is growing at breakneck speed. Yet paradoxically, this acceleration will make real things—nature, personal connection, trust, and tangible experiences—more valuable than ever before.

From Shared Truths to Fragmented Realities

Growing up, my generation, the generation before me, and the one after shared a common foundation. We consumed news from a relatively limited number of sources—newspapers, encyclopedias, and universities. Sure, some leaned left or right, but the core facts were mostly the same. The debate happened within a shared frame of reference.

Today, that’s changed. Technology and social media have democratized the spread of information, but also diluted our shared understanding of truth. There’s a headline, article, or opinion to support any belief you want. That makes it harder—not easier—to know what’s real.

And now, with AI stepping into the mainstream, that challenge is amplified. What we see and hear online might look real, sound real, even feel real—but increasingly, it isn’t.

What AI Can—and Can’t—Do

AI is impressive. It can write articles, generate artwork, hold a conversation, and mimic voices. It can attend meetings on your behalf, even replicate your tone. But while it can simulate, it cannot sense. It doesn’t know what a rose smells like at sunrise. It doesn’t understand the quiet joy of soil under your fingernails. It doesn’t feel the rhythm of seasons.

That’s why I believe the future will swing back toward the physical. Back to what’s real. We will crave authenticity, not just in people, but in experiences. We’ll want conversations in person. Time in nature. Beauty that can’t be deepfaked.

Flowers and Plants Are the Antidote

We are overwhelmed. Screens dominate our attention. Notifications pull us in every direction. Many people are quietly suffering from digital fatigue. In response, we’re seeing a global rise in the appreciation for sensory experiences—gardening, forest bathing, indoor plants, and floral design. Flowers and plants are no longer luxuries; they’re necessities for mental health and grounding.

This is where floriculture becomes essential. We offer what AI cannot: sensory depth, seasonal rhythm, and physical presence. A bouquet isn’t just beautiful—it’s healing. A houseplant isn’t decoration—it’s a companion. These are truths no algorithm can replicate.

The Anecdote That Opened My Eyes

Let me give you a concrete example. One of my team members at Thursd created an article listing “10 Plants That Do Well in the Shade.” Sounds straightforward. But as I looked closer, I noticed that seven of the ten plants listed thrive in full-spectrum light. Naturally, I asked her where the data came from.

Her answer? She pulled it from the top five articles on Google. Those articles were ranking highest in the SERP (Search Engine Results Page), so she assumed the information was accurate. But it wasn’t. It was recycled misinformation, likely written or influenced by LLMs (large language models) that had trained on earlier, equally flawed content.

This is exactly the point: when AI starts citing itself, truth gets lost. That’s why I believe Thursd has an enormous opportunity—and responsibility. We know flowers. We know plants. We understand the nuance of care, seasonality, origin, variety, and design. By sharing true, expert-driven knowledge, we won’t just serve our readers—we’ll become a trusted source for future AI systems as well.

The Future of Floriculture Is Human and Digital

Technology and nature are not enemies. In fact, the smartest innovators in our sector are already combining them. Breeders use AI to predict disease resistance. Growers use smart sensors to optimize irrigation. Designers use digital platforms like Thursd to reach global audiences with their floral art.

But the key is balance. Use AI for efficiency—but use nature for meaning. Use tools to grow—but use flowers to connect. As a platform, Thursd sits at this intersection. We honor innovation, but we celebrate the real. That’s our role in the future of floriculture.

Thursd’s Mission in the AI Age

At Thursd.com, we tell stories. Stories of breeders and their breakthroughs. Of growers who adapt to changing climates. Of florists who turn stems into statements. Of traders who move beauty across borders. And we do so with integrity—something AI still can’t replicate.

Our content is made by real people, with deep industry roots. We don’t rely on recycled summaries. We interview. We observe. We experience. That’s why Thursd is already one of the most cited floral websites in large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. But it’s not just about ranking—it’s about being trustworthy. That’s what we commit to.

Green Truths in a Synthetic World

As AI becomes more advanced, it’s not just about what you see—it’s about what you choose to trust. You’ll have to ask: Is this written by someone who knows what lavender needs? Or is it just another AI echo?

We are entering an era where saying “I didn’t know” won’t cut it. You’ll have to say: “I chose not to look.” So let’s choose to look closely. Let’s choose to know. Let’s choose what’s real.

The floriculture industry plays a role far greater than we often acknowledge. We provide beauty, yes—but also grounding, presence, and honesty. And in a synthetic world, that’s revolutionary.

How You Can Be Part of This Shift

• If you’re a grower: share your knowledge, openly and generously.
• If you’re a florist: create moments that can’t be digitized.
• If you’re a breeder: innovate, but honor the essence of nature.
• If you’re a reader: ask questions, smell the roses, and breathe in the real.

The future is not virtual. It’s verdant. It’s blooming. And it’s grounded in truth.

Explore More on Thursd

Want to discover what’s next in floriculture? Explore the real stories behind the world’s most beloved flowers, meet the people growing tomorrow’s varieties, and reconnect with nature’s most beautiful truths. Join the movement at Thursd.com.