Trends Identified
Demographic patterns
A combination of widespread aging, falling fertility, and urbanization will lead to a dramatically different world in 2030. With an expected 8.3 billion people, human civilization will be both older and much more focused on city life. Our infrastructure may improve, but our level of innovation and output will slow down without younger workers. "Aging countries will face an uphill battle in maintaining their living standards," the report stated. It's entirely possible, however, that within the next several decades, humanity will generate more urban construction than it has in the rest of its history.
2017
4 mega-trends that could change the world by 2030
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Growing demand for food, water, and energy
A growing middle class and gains in empowerment will lead the demand for food to rise by 35%, water by 40%, and energy by 50%, government research suggested. Regions with extreme weather patterns — like rain-soaked Singapore or muggy Mumbai — will get more extreme due to the effects of climate change. Dry areas such as northern Africa and the US Southwest will feel the effects of diminished precipitation especially hard. We will still have enough resources to avoid energy scarcity by 2030; however, whether those resources include fracking or renewable forms like solar and wind is yet to be seen.
2017
4 mega-trends that could change the world by 2030
World Economic Forum (WEF)
IoT becomes BIoT
Combining IoT with blockchain —or BIoT—ushers in a whole host of new services and businesses. For example, BIoT can be used to track shipments of pharmaceuticals and to create smart cities in which connected heating systems better controls energy use and connected traffic lights better manage rush hour.
2017
4 Technology Trends That Will Transform Our World in 2018
Fortune
The fintech renaissance
While bitcoin and blockchain were grabbing the headlines in 2017, social and mobile payments have fundamentally changed the financial markets. In China, mobile payment volumes now exceed $5 trillion annually.
2017
4 Technology Trends That Will Transform Our World in 2018
Fortune
Augmented reality goes mainstream
The mobile game Pokémon Go has unleashed a billion-dollar demand for augmented reality entertainment, and major brands are taking notice. Thanks to the introduction of affordable augmented reality glasses, our phones will remain in our pockets and Heads Up Displays (HUD) will improve how we work, shop, and play.
2017
4 Technology Trends That Will Transform Our World in 2018
Fortune
2018 is the year of the bots
We all have gotten use to speaking with bots whenever we call to make airline reservations or to confirm our bank account balances. The use of natural language bots will expand from use as automated customer service agents to become routine for daily living.
2017
4 Technology Trends That Will Transform Our World in 2018
Fortune
Talent shortages/talent management challenges
54% of the respondents view this as a negative trend. Ensuring access to a skilled talent base is a perennial challenge for most organizations. Talent shortages and talent management challenges are the most often cited trends with a negative impact on business operations. Some of these talent challenges may be due to tight labor markets, particularly in the United States, which may improve with changing economic conditions. A more lasting driver of these talent challenges, however, is undoubtedly the advent of IA and digital labor, which have profoundly changed the profile of skills demanded by many organizations.
2019
4Q 2018 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report
KPMG
Trade protectionism; de-globalization; economic populism
35% of the respondents view this as a negative trend.
2019
4Q 2018 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report
KPMG
Brexit, Eurozone turmoil
31% of the respondents view this as a negative trend.
2019
4Q 2018 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report
KPMG
Weak global/regional economies
27% of the respondents view this as a negative trend.
2019
4Q 2018 KPMG Global Insights Pulse Survey Report
KPMG