Shaftesbury is expanding its digital-series portfolio through a new partnership with Finnish telecom giant Nokia.

The companies are collaborating on a six-part digital docuseries, Futurithmic, that explores the future societal changes brought about by 5G networks, artificial intelligence and automation. It’s hosted by CTV business reporter Michael Hainsworth (pictured) and features interviews with specialists including augmented reality expert Galit Ariel, MIT artificial intelligence data scientist Sandy Pentland and sci-fi author and internet rights advocate Cory Doctorow.

In addition, Shaftesbury and Nokia are partnering with Toronto-based marketing firm Truly, which will create the editorial strategy and the content for the Futurithmic website.

The first episode has been released online (at Futurithmic.com), while the remaining five episodes will be released monthly until July. For Shaftesbury, executive producers are Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie and Kaaren Whitney-Vernon. Theresa Kowall-Shipp is the producer.

Innovative partnerships in the branded entertainment space are commonplace for Shaftesbury, which recently produced a scripted digital series, Upstairs Amy, in partnership with Walmart Canada and debit provider Interac. The Toronto-based prodco is also behind web series such as Carmilla, Darken and CLAIREvoyant among others. 

The announcement of the Nokia partnership comes as Shaftesbury is in production on Canada/U.K. copro Departure (Shaftesbury, Greenpoint Productions). The hour-long drama, developed by Shaftesbury in association with Corus and Red Arrow Studios International, was greenlit by Global in November. Most recently, NBCUniversal International Networks acquired the rights to the series in Europe and Africa.