Trends Identified
IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) promises a hyper-connected, digitally responsive society that will have a profound impact on all sectors of the economy and society. While it has great potential to support human, societal and environmental development, several safeguards need to be put in place to ensure data protection and security.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Big data analytics
Analytics tools and techniques are needed to reap the promises of big data. The socioeconomic implications are tremendous, but a major policy challenge will be to balance the need for openness with the threats that an extreme “datafication” of social life could raise for privacy, security, equity and integrity.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Neurotechnologies
Emerging neurotechnologies offer great promise in diagnosis and therapy for healthy ageing and general human enhancement. However, some neurotechnologies raise profound ethical, legal, social and cultural issues that require policy attention.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Nano/microsatellites
Increasing use is being made of small and very small satellites with growing capabilities. This will give policy makers an expanding spectrum of sophisticated tools to address “grand” challenges for both civilian and defence purposes.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials display unique optical, magnetic and electrical properties that can be exploited in various fields, from healthcare to energy technologies. However, technical constraints and uncertainties over their toxicity to humans and the environment continue to hinder their widespread application.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Additive manufacturing
Progressively adding material to make a product take shape is an unprecedented approach to manufacturing that warrants new business models and implies significant changes to existing industries. However, this technology must overcome several challenges, both technical and regulatory, if it is to permeate industrial processes on a large scale.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Advanced energy storage technologies
Energy storage technology can be defined as a system that absorbs energy and stores it for a period of time before releasing it on demand to supply energy or power services. Breakthroughs are needed in this technology to optimise the performance of energy systems and facilitate the integration of renewable energy resources.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new field of research in biotechnology that draws on engineering principles to manipulate DNA in organisms. It allows for the design and construction of new biological parts and the re-design of natural biological systems for useful purposes. It is expected to have a wide range of applications in health, agriculture, industry and energy, but it also raises major legal and ethical issues.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Blockchain
Blockchain is a database that allows the transfer of value within computer networks.
This technology is expected to disrupt several markets by ensuring trustworthy transactions without the necessity of a third party. The proliferation of this technology is, however, threatened by technical issues that remain to be resolved.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) seeks to endow machines with reasoning capabilities that may one day surpass those of human beings. While their full impact remains difficult to appraise, intelligent systems are likely to bring considerable productivity gains and lead to irreversible changes in our societies.
2016
OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016
OECD