Trends Identified
Growing erosion of European solidarity
The EU Cohesion Policy for the period 2013-2020 is an important element to boost public and private investment and contribute to economic growth, employment, sustainable development and social cohesion in the EU and the LRAs. However, cash strapped LRAs are challenged to have sufficient access to the necessary financial resources to be able to use the EU Cohesion Policy effectively.43 The challenge is related to more decentralisation of key powers from central to subnational governments; however, this trend has not been followed by the transfer of financial resources.
2014
Challenges at the horizon 2025
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Minimising Vulnerability and Fostering Resilience: An Investment for the Future of Europe
The ESPAS Report Global Trends to 2030 noted that 'The world is becoming steadily more complex, more challenging and also more insecure'. Since the publication of the Report in 2015, the sense of uncertainty has become even stronger in Europe and elsewhere. The referendum on Brexit, the 2016 US elections, as well as the political conditions in several European countries have demonstrated the risks that even well-established institutional systems can face due to a growing sense of uncertainty and dissatisfaction among citizens with current policies.
2016
Shaping the future
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Mixed reality - Experiences get more intuitive, immersive, and empowering
The enterprise potential of argumented reality and virtual reality continues to grow as companies explore use cases and move beyond pilot applications. Increasingly, these efforts intersect with opportunities made possible by Internet of Things technology—sensors and connected devices that help build a more integrated and extended digital and physical landscape. Yet amid this flurry of activity, many overlook the larger implications of AR and VR’s emergence. Design patterns are evolving dramatically, with 2D screens giving way to tools that use sensors, gestures, voice, context, and digital content to help humans interact more naturally with the increasingly intelligent world around us. Though it may be several years before mixed reality’s ultimate end game materializes, the time to begin exploring this dynamic new world—and the digital assets it comprises—is now.
2017
Tech trends 2017 - the kinetic enterprise
Deloitte
The energy future has already begun
The energy transition is a global reality. Photovoltaics and wind energy in particular have developed within a few years into new key energies for the 21st century. In 2013 more renewable energy power plants in terms of power generation capacity were set up worldwide than coal, gas and nuclear power plants put together. In terms of investment, the renewables sector is now significantly ahead of traditional energy technologies.
2015
Megatrends in the global energy transition
WWF Germany
Life after coal
The energy revolution is reaching its climax as the switch to renewables and electricity is unstoppable.
2018
8 sustainability trends that will define 2018
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Changing Energy Mix
The energy mix will evolve responding to cost, availability and technological developments. There will be continued utilisation of all current energy sources, and fossil fuels are likely to continue to account for over 75% of total energy usage.174 Oil will remain the dominant fuel, given its importance in the transportation sector and the availability of infrastructure that supports its distribution.
2010
Global strategic trends - out to 2040
UK, Ministry of Defence
User Empowerment
The end-user renaissance forces a disruptive shift in IT In their personal lives, business users are enjoying a technology renaissance that continues to deliver simple, elegant and often innovative technology products. Then they come to work expecting the same experience. To meet those expectations, IT leaders should understand and deliver capabilities that engage each key persona of their users, enabling a given role in the way they actually perform their job. But it shouldn’t stop there. The real trick is envisioning how emerging technologies and new form factors can improve how work actually gets done. Enterprise users are clamoring for mobile and social enablement – collaboration, information and insight wherever, whenever. They’re looking to leave behind the legacy “point, click, type” world for one of “touch, swipe, talk and gesture,” and they won’t hesitate to go around central IT to get the capabilities they need. The CIO must envision the digital future and deliver the empowered present.
2012
Tech Trends 2012-Elevate IT for digital business
Deloitte
Shifting competitive advantage
The emerging technologies will make it harder to find and keep competitive advantage in the production of some goods and services. Bioproduction through synthetic biology will likely make it easier and cheaper to make some classes of goods. These technologies have the potential to help countries be more self-sufficient in some foods, fuels and materials. Advanced nanomaterials and nanodevices are likely to require a more educated workforce and more intricate production, resulting in a smaller number of competitors using these technologies.
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Exploring new approaches to productivity and innovation
The emerging technologies described in this study point to the importance of innovation as a key driver of the economy. Human capital, government policies, societal actors from all sectors and physical infrastructure are major elements of an innovation system. How can we redesign societal systems to maximize innovation?
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Life in Beta Mode - Ready for a world of forever onboarding?
The emerging Internet of Things (IoT) era creates a world in which B2B and B2C products routinely upgrade and improve long after purchase. That products reach peak performance some time after POS is a message many will welcome (and drive long-term loyalty), especially those maximisers who seek post-purchase reassurance that money has been well spent. Anticipate a greater need for post-purchase support, value-signalling and a clear process of rolling onboarding.
2018
Trending 2018
Foresight Factory