Trends Identified

Data + decisions = differentiation
Insightful analytics can help organizations discover patterns, detect anomalies, improve data quality and ultimately take effective action. But as analytics tools have been incorporated into standard offerings from software vendors, it is becoming clear that the real advantage in analytics is gained before the analysis begins—in data collection; and after it ends—in decision making. Analytical maturity varies widely across companies and across industries: some organizations are already integrating analytical decision making into their business processes, while others are still working at basic measurement and collection. In the next phase, what may truly differentiate an organization is whether turning information into action becomes part of its DNA.“Everything elastic” is proving to be a durable concept, whose influence is spreading thanks to the technological developments sketched above. Business executives—and CIOs in particular—should consider reshaping their thinking in line with this concept. The idea of elasticity—scalable, infinitely flexible, adaptive—may be integrated into the very fabric of the business. Only then will high performance be achievable in this new market place.
2010
Accenture technology vision
Accenture
Alternative food sources
Insects have been a food staple in some countries for centuries, but they are now beginning to disrupt Western agriculture and aquaculture with their high feed efficiencies and attractive environmental credentials. With increasing demand for high-protein food and new products appearing regularly, this is a breakthrough market to watch.
2018
Global opportunity report
DNV GL
Innovative food
Innovative smart food products and processes will be developed that will better respond to consumer preferences, health issues and environmental concerns. Policy bodies, industry and the public should be prepared to foster this transition that will open new job opportunities and bring benefit to society. Innovative food products are already on the market and more will come. Is the regulation ready to face this challenge?
2015
Preparing the Commission for future opportunities - Foresight network fiches 2030
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Fintech industry is emerging as a catalyst for new growth
Innovative financial technology ( fintech) is an industry that emerged in the past few years from being an unknown term to an entity that may be shaping Australia’s future and its international competitive advantage108,109.
2017
Surfing the digital tsunami
Australia, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Prepping for the next big thing
Innovations tend to cluster in waves, and five potential platform technologies—nanotechnology, genomics, artificial intelligence, robotics and ubiquitous connectivity— show promise of flowering over the coming decade. In many cases, developments across technologies will be mutually reinforcing. For example, advances in nanotechnology will enable the enhanced computational power necessary for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $1 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Health innovations will shape health outcomes
Innovations in the health field will bring together the technological process of inventing new drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tools, with profound impact on the health systems of developing countries.
2011
Africa in 50 Years’ Time
African Development Bank
The construction of 3D-printed homes
Innovations in robotics, AI and building materials may change both the look and the construction of new homes. The advent of large-scale 3D printing means that homes could be built more rapidly and with nano-enhanced materials, making them even stronger and more energy-efficient than they are now. It could also mean lower costs and greater flexibility in home and urban design.
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Everything the same, but nicer
Innovation will increasingly come in new forms beyond novel technologies like iPads and Twitter. Look for businesses to invest more heavily in “soft innovations,” which will offer affluent customers premium products and services as substitutes for common consumer purchases, better products commanding higher prices and a greater variety of niche products. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $5 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Innovation
Innovation will create new opportunities and generate value, by successfully exploiting new and improved technologies, techniques and services, overcoming cultural and process barriers. It will occur when invention reduces costs to a point where an explosive growth cycle is realised or where a new market is created.
2010
Global strategic trends - out to 2040
UK, Ministry of Defence
Measured Innovation
Innovation is shifting from “eureka” to an institutional discipline Innovation has long been accepted as an important driver of modern economic development. From economist Joseph Schumpeter’s work in the 1940’s1 to Clayton Christensen’s more recent research2 to conventional wisdom about technology’s meteoric impact on our daily lives. Corporations have taken note – recognising that effective innovation can create new market value, drive efficiencies, extend the lifecycle of products and services, and help launch new business models. Emerging technology is a continuing source of potential for innovation in business, and the CIO is the executive to deliver on that opportunity. Sounds great. But how?
2012
Tech Trends 2012-Elevate IT for digital business
Deloitte