Trends Identified
Globalisation of Financial Resources
The financial networks and communication systems that manage the world’s critical resources are increasingly intertwined. The interconnected world creates greater opportunity for better management of global resources; it may also provide incentives for co-operation and multilateral approaches in addressing global issues. However, vulnerability to exploitation by non-state actors, ranging from international criminal networks to cyber criminals and terrorists, will increase. Attackers could target banking and financial institutions or communication systems. Additionally, as nations become increasingly interdependent, a negative economic event in one country could well be compounded globally as it spreads quickly to other markets.
2013
Strategic Foresight Analysis 2013 Report
NATO
Continued economic growth?
The financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 significantly reduced economic output in many developed countries, particularly in Europe. While its continuing impacts are apparent in less optimistic long-term economic projections for Europe, virtually all mainstream outlook studies foresee economic expansion globally in the coming decades as Asia's huge populations continue their shift to Western patterns of production and consumption.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Demography
The figures for global population growth over the next 20 years can be predicted with some confidence. This overall growth will be combined with a changing spatial and age distribution that will differ across regions. The impacts of migration are less clear than population growth but the overall move from rural to urban areas, especially in developing countries, is a well established trend.
2011
ICSU Foresight Analysis
International Council for Science (ICSU)
Net neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission voted in December to repeal net neutrality regulations put in place during the Obama administration. A Pew Research Center analysis of comments submitted online to the FCC about net neutrality found that during the four-month period (April 27 to Aug. 30, 2017) in which the FCC accepted comments on net neutrality, an average of 172,246 posts were submitted per day.
2017
Key trends shaping technology in 2017
Pew Research Center
Shift in Global Economic Power
The falling prices of crude oil, depreciation of strong currencies and rise of emerging economies poised challenges to the dominant powerhouses are some of the signs of global economic shift occurring presently.
2017
Science & Technology Foresight Malaysia
Malaysia, Academy of Sciences Malaysia
Future of Digital Economy and Society
The exponential growth in digitisation and internet connectivity is creating signi cant new opportunities for business and society. What makes the changes so signi cant is the combination and leverage of multiple technologies: algorithms, sensors, data, cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality working together that is new. These digital technologies can also combine with other technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, advanced materials, and energy storage, to have a multiplier effect on the way we live and work. The result is that digitisation is transforming what we do - from smart factories, to smart homes, to smart health - from the means of production to our personal well-being.
2016
Shaping the future
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Mobile Only (and beyond)
The explosion of smartphone and tablet adoption in the consumer world cannot be denied. And enterprises have taken note. Mobile initiatives have popped up in almost every corner of the business – looking to untether the workforce, engage customers more effectively, and reshape business-as-usual. CIOs are scrambling to deal with the outcry. To manage, maintain, connect, and protect devices. To imagine, build, deploy, and promote applications. And all the while, many are singing the gospel of “an app for that,” trying to close the gap between end-user expectations and current offerings.
2013
Tech Trends 2013 Elements of postdigital
Deloitte
Bioreplaceable materials
The expected social effect of bioreplaceable materials for orthopaedics, replicating the architectonics of bone tissues and making it possible to heal bone defects, lies in the reduced level of disability in the population, the reduction in periods of incapacity, and the reduction in the length of hospitalisation and rehabilitation periods. Together with this, there is expected to be a fall in the risk of repeated prosthesis replacements. Within the existing technological base, a pool of innovative techniques is being developed which could offer radical medical care to restore bone tissue.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
The ‘humanized’ internet
The evolution of modern connectivity is often summarized as: the internet – the world wide web – mobile devices – big data/the cloud – the internet of things. For the next stage, it seems inevitable that even more personalization will be an important component. What we refer to as the internet of things will be central. However, more than simply connecting humans with devices, the next stage in connectivity will include “humanized” interfaces that constantly evolve to understand the user’s patterns and needs and, in a sense, self-optimize. This would include the functions and features on our devices, as well as the selection/curation of information we receive. It may not be the kind of artificial intelligence found in science fiction, but I expect this injection of personalization will bring monumental changes as our level of connectivity continues to grow.
2014
14 tech predictions for our world in 2020
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Science for the energy transition
The EU is defining a new set of energy policies that will shape the evolution of energy systems and markets towards 2030 and 2050, potentially transforming society in many ways. The 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy policies foresees a new European Governance Framework for integrating the plans, interests and concerns of all public and private actors.
2015
Preparing the Commission for future opportunities - Foresight network fiches 2030
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)