Today, the World Economic Forum unveiled its highly anticipated annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report, spotlighting innovations poised to drive profound impacts worldwide over the next three to five years.
Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum and Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, emphasised the report’s role in guiding organisations towards strategic decision-making amid rapid technological advancements. He highlighted the transformative potential of these technologies in revolutionizing connectivity, addressing climate challenges, and fostering innovation across diverse sectors.
Frederick Fenter, Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers emphasised the role of “open science” in bringing these innovations to global attention, engaging leaders in business, science, and politics.
The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024
- AI for scientific discovery: Advancements in deep learning and generative AI are revolutionising scientific research, enabling breakthroughs in disease understanding, material discovery, and human cognition.
- Privacy-enhancing technologies: Synthetic data innovations are set to transform global data handling, balancing personal privacy with the potential for expanded health research and collaboration.
- Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces: These surfaces enhance wireless communication efficiency and energy use across smart factories and vehicular networks.
- High-altitude platform stations: Utilising aircraft and balloons, these systems extend mobile network access to remote regions, bridging the digital divide for billions.
- Integrated sensing and communication: 6G networks enable simultaneous data collection and transmission, facilitating environmental monitoring and smart city planning.
- Immersive technology for the built world: Combining virtual and augmented reality with computing power, these technologies promise advancements in infrastructure accuracy, safety, and sustainability.
- Elastocalorics: Providing sustainable cooling solutions, elastocalorics offer higher efficiency and reduced energy consumption amidst rising global temperatures.
- Carbon-capturing microbes: Engineered organisms convert emissions into valuable biofuels, offering a promising approach to mitigating climate change.
- Alternative livestock feeds: Sustainable protein sources from single-cell proteins, algae, and food waste could transform agricultural practices.
- Genomics for transplants: Genetic engineering advances offer hope for successful organ transplants, advancing healthcare solutions globally.
