MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. Society has not yet fully grasped the scale of the challenges defining today's reality – challenges that are transforming life itself, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while addressing the plenary session of the 23rd annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

"The scale of the changes that have already occurred and those yet to come is truly immense, and we seem to understand this. It is no coincidence that there is currently so much debate about the future – often tinged with distinct anxiety due to uncertainty and unpredictability. Yet, while humanity senses these profound changes, it has not fully grasped the true magnitude of the challenge it faces," he said.

He emphasized that the challenges humanity is confronted with herald the beginning of a new reality.

"Threats and dangers are closely intertwined with opportunities and prospects; they are inseparable from one another," he added.

Putin noted that life itself is undergoing a transformation. "I would like to stress once again: this is not merely – or even primarily – about a shift in the balance of power between nations or a redistribution of economic and technological influence. While all of that is certainly important and is indeed happening, the crucial point is that these changes affect the biological and moral nature of human beings – our very essence, our way of life, and the foundations of our worldview," he said.