Trends Identified

Reality check
Last year saw a record jump in optimism regarding global growth prospects in 2018, and this exuberance translated across regions. This year, by contrast, saw a record jump in pessimism, with nearly 30% of CEOs projecting a decline in global economic growth, up from a mere 5% last year. CEOs also reported a noteworthy dip in confidence in their own organisations’ revenue prospects over the short (12-month) and medium (three-year) term. If CEOs’ confidence continues to be a leading indicator, global economic growth will slow down in 2019.
2019
22nd Annual global CEO survey
PWC
Look inside-out for growth
Across the survey rang a general theme of hunkering down as CEOs adapt to the strong nationalist and populist sentiment sweeping the globe. The threats they consider most pressing are less existential (e.g. terrorism, climate change) and more related to the ease of doing business in the markets where they operate (e.g. overregulation, policy uncertainty, availability of key skills, trade conflicts). When asked to identify the most attractive foreign markets for investment, CEOs are narrowing their choices and expressing more uncertainty.
2019
22nd Annual global CEO survey
PWC
Mind the information and skills gaps
In addition to the fault lines developing geopolitically, CEOs are working to bridge the gaps in their own capabilities. Organisations are struggling to translate a deluge of data into better decision making. There is a shortage of skilled talent to clean, integrate, and extract value from big data and move beyond baby steps toward artificial intelligence (AI). One of the more striking findings in this year’s survey was the fact that — despite billions of dollars of investment1 and priority positioning on the C-suite agenda — the gap between the information CEOs need and what they get has not closed in the past ten years.
2019
22nd Annual global CEO survey
PWC
Eco-friendly bioplastic films
(Definition) Biodegradable and transparent bioplastic films that are available to be used as packaging materials for foods and medical suppliers with proven safety to humans. (Use) Available to replace existing packaging materials, of which safety to humans are not verified, and track the products or provide consumers with related information by using QR and RD
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Materials for sensory substitution devices
(Definition) A technology allowing restoration/regeneration or enhancement of lost sensory function. It is the technology for sensory substitution devices by converging a sensory technology providing a sense of recognition exceeding human-level performance with sensory-neuron based recognition/stimulus device technology. (Use) Available to be used as a substitute of sensory organs of which functions are lost resulting from population ageing and for restoring lost senses of the disabled, contributing to improving the quality of life.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
3D print artificial organs
(Definition) A 3D bioprinting technology to create tissues or organs by fabricating living cells to have desired shapes or patterns (Use) Available to be used for restoration of tissues, organs, and others of patients with difficulties in transplant treatment such as lack of replacing organs, immune response, etc.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Fire-resistant solid electrolytes with high-efficiency
(Definition) A technology that enables a significant improvement on cell stability and energy density by replacing flammable organic liquid electrolytes of existing lithium-ion cells with ones having ionic conductivity (solid state). (Use) Create an eco-friendly and energy efficient society where EVs, with which travelling a long-distance is available by charging once with no worry about explosion or fire ignition, are widely used.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Fast charging/ discharging battery for transport
(Definition) Lithium secondary battery technology that significantly reduces charging duration of EV batteries, which currently takes about 6 hours for full charge, while improving power output characteristics. (Use) Available to travel to the destination by an EV that is fully charged while having a coffee with refreshments thanks to the development/ commercialization of fast charging lithium rechargeable batteries without loss to energy density or performance.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Ultra lightweight transport devices
(Definition) A next-gen technology that allows transport devices and vehicles encompassing a large area of public/private infrastructure to save energy which is required for various sectors, while satisfying strict environmental regulations and requirements. (Use) Continuous-fiber composite materials are used for frames and load carrying members of autonomous driving vehicles, hybrid vehicles, EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and other future transport devices.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Next-gen nuclear fusion materials withstanding extreme environments
(Definition) Materials technologies relating to materials for the blanket that converts the energy generated from the deuterium-tritium reaction into thermal energy and divertor reducing charged particles and thermal fluxes from plasma by using the magnetic field structure for the development of nuclear fusion technology (Use) Secure a clean and safe source of energy in large volume by commercializing nuclear reactors based on the development of fusion materials.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)