Trends Identified
Economic recovery: from double-dip recession towards sustained slow growth?
In this period of economic crisis, tensions and distortions, it is often suggested that while short-term measures can alleviate the worst effects of the downturn, economic growth will be the long-term solution to many of the issues currently faced by both developed and emerging countries. As a result, several factors will interact with economic growth to play a significant role in enabling – or hindering – economic recovery. In the longer run, the key question lies in determining the possible transformative effects of economic growth, or lack of it, on the EU landscape.
2013
Europe's Societal Challenges: An analysis of global societal trends to 2030 and their impact on the EU
RAND Corporation
Blockchain
In theory, Blockchain could disrupt any transaction that requires sharing a document or contract. Financial firms are most likely to see disruption because Blockchain’s shared-ledger approach could dramatically affect the time, cost and complexity around how transactions are recorded and how custodial business is done, says DeLaney
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Brain-Computer Interface – Merging with the Machine
In the years to come, we will explore new ways to collaborate with machines. One way, still considered to be radical by most today, would be brain-computer interfaces, moving towards a human-machine convergence. Now that wearable technology gets miniaturized and more powerful and hands-free applications are within reach, it is likely that non-invasive versions of this technology will be included in VR headset designs. Brain-computer interface designs have shown major progress and can be seen as the ultimate human-machine communication. Prominent organizations working on it are Elon Musks Neurolink, Facebook, Kernel, Emotiv and DARPA. The market is segmented into neurogaming, neuroprosthetics, and neuroanalysis, with interfaces increasingly used in healthcare for locked-in syndrome, paralysis, artifi cial limbs and others. Neuroanalysis and neuroprosthetics are the largest commercial segments driven by rehabilitation, psychological research centers and military applications. Neurogaming is mostly nascent. Currently there are three approaches used, but in all cases extensive training is necessary: • Invasive, where electrodes directly connect to the brain • Partially invasive, where the skull is penetrated, but not the brain • Noninvasive headbands • The human brain is probably the most complex organ in the universe, so brain surgery and even noninvasive neurolinks might have unknown impacts on psychology and neurology
2018
Trend Report 2018 - Emerging Technology Trends
SAP
Rising geostrategic competition
In the years following the Cold War, the prevailing view was that the world had moved towards a liberal, democratic consensus. The break-up of the Soviet bloc, the integration of Russia and China into the global economic system and a fresh wave of democratic transitions, from Latin America to Eastern Europe, led many to believe that superpower rivalries were finished. Globalization, the free market and the ‘interdependence’ of countries would make wars less likely, while a greater role was forecast for multilateral bodies like the United Nations in responding to issues that put everyone at risk.
2014
Outlook on the global agenda 2015
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Democracy fatigued
In the West, the disintegration, or even a crisis, of democracy has been discussed for years. Turnout percentages and party memberships have steadily decreased. However, awareness of the crisis in discussions has not led to activities to reinforce democracy. Not even the financial crisis or the rise of populism have brought reforms. The game only changed in 2016. The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU, the subversive election struggle in the United States and Donald Trump’s presidency, which defied all familiar political models, have encapsulated many of the problems with democracy that must be solved promptly. In order for democracy to work, it must be reinforced, new methods of operation must be found and there must be greater inclusion.
2017
Megatrends 2017
Finland, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes
In the short term we can expect to see the emergence of nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes (water treatment, raw food processing). With the transition to these technologies, the problems of drinking water supplies and efficient purification of household and industrial sewerage will largely be solved, in particular by using various types of hybrid membranes with embedded nanoparticles. It is possible to significantly intensify water purification processes using membranes with an asymmetric (gradient) distribution of nano-particles by restructuring membrane pore and channel structures. Such an effect can occur upon implementation of electromembrane technologies, allowing for an increase in the electro-catalytic activity of particles in a water dissociation reaction which enables higher speed electrodialysis purification of water in extreme currents. Ion-exchange and membrane materials containing nanoparticles of metals are used for further removal of dissolved oxygen from water, which is extremely important for a number of processes in today’s electronics industry. Ion-exchange and filter membranes will be widely used in food production and processing.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
New varieties of plants and breeds of agricultural animals
In the short term new varieties of crop plants and breeds of agricultural animals could be achieved by using molecular markets in selective work, double haploid technologies, genetic engineering, and other methods. It is expected that new varieties and hybrids will have properties such as high nutritional content, increased productivity, and/or other benefits (size of fruit, ripening time), and resistance to diseases, pests and adverse environmental conditions. The development of genome selection technologies will make it possible to develop new, higher quality breeds of agricultural animals (for example, in terms of meat fat content) with faster growth which, in turn, will contribute to rational use of animal feed. The practical introduction of new products will lead to an increase in the efficiency of agricultural production and a reduction in crop losses.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Conflicts and violence
In the post-World War II period, while the number of external or interstate conflicts (conflicts between two or more states) declined, there has been an upsurge in internal or intrastate conflicts (conflicts between a government and non-state actors within a state) (IEP 2016). In 2015, for instance, there were 280 intrastate conflicts, in contrast to 74 interstate conflicts, with internal conflicts constituting about 80 percent of the global conflict count (HIIK 2015, 2016).
2017
Global trends
UNDP
VOICE, NOT JUST A TREND
In the past two years we’ve profiled the emergence and adoption of ‘voice’ as a way for customers to achieve what they set out to do in their daily lives. We identified bots in 2016 as an emerging trend; and in last year’s report – The End of Typing – we profiled the explosion of smart speakers from the likes of Amazon and Google amongst others as they sought to enter the home. Looking to 2019 it’s fair to say that we’ve reached critical mass in terms of the number of devices (phones, speakers, cars, and now even toilets!) that are voice-enabled with conversational user interfaces and voice assistants.
2019
The Ogilvy Consulting Trends for 2019
Ogilvy
'It’s not the big fish that eat the small...It’s the fast that eat the slow.'
In the past two decades, the world has been experiencing a period of unprecedented transition in political, social, economic and environmental areas mainly driven by an exponential change in technology. The rate of change in many aspects of human society is expected to continue creating both opportunities and perils. A recently introduced phrase- 'a black elephant.' 2 3 - is used to describe existing and foreseeable problems of great magnitude and complexity. There are many black elephants: failed and failing states, global warming, water scarcity, mass immigration, income inequality, and rising global powers challenging the international order. Additionally, the growing role of non-state actors and super- empowered individuals in domestic and international affairs has increased the complexity of addressing these black elephants in the strategic environment.
2016
Shaping the future
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)