Trends Identified

Climate change, environment, and health issues will demand attention

A range of global hazards pose imminent and longer-term threats that will require collective action to address—even as cooperation becomes harder. More extreme weather, water and soil stress, and food insecurity will disrupt societies. Sea-level rise, ocean acidification, glacial melt, and pollution will change living patterns. Tensions over climate change will grow. Increased travel and poor health infrastructure will make infectious diseases harder to manage.

2017

Global Trends: The Paradox of Progress

USA, US National Intelligence Council

Advanced materials

Materials with significantly improved functionality, including lighter- weight, stronger, more conductive materials, e.g. nano-materials.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Cloud technology, including big data

Enables the delivery of computer applications and services over the internet reducing storage and computer power needs. Big data enabled by cloud allows predictive relationships to form, underpinning optimisation.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Autonomous vehicles, including drones

Enabled by robots these are vehicles that can operate and navigate with little or no human control. Drones fly or move without a pilot and can also operate autonomously.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Synthethic biology

Inter-disciplinary branch of biology applying engineering principles to biological systems. The market for biotechnology already exceeds $80Bn/year.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Virtual and augmented reality

Computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image overlaid to the physical world (AR) or a complete environment (VR).

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Artificial intelligence

Software algorithms that are capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, e.g. visual perception, speech recognition and decision-making.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Robots

Electro-mechanical machines or virtual agents that automate, augment, or assist human activities, autonomously or according to set instructions.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

Blockchain

Distributed electronic ledger that uses software algorithms to record and confirm transactions with reliability and anonymity.

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC

3D printing

Additive manufacturing techniques used

2017

Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet

PWC