In the last 10 years, we have witnessed a major technological breakthrough, with digital innovations in the world not only changing industries, businesses and social structures, but also changing the very nature of human existence. But let’s look at the megatrends of the future. Dare to look 10, 20 or even 30 years into the future? What technologies will change today’s world and perhaps fundamentally change our lives and change the planet again?
This comprehensive review lists the most influential technology megatrends and emerging technologies, and paints a portrait of our possible future: from ubiquitous digitalization and automation to artificial intelligence to the paradigm-shifting potential of the singularity.
An overview of 25 technology megatrends of the future:
Content:
The Age of Automation: Machines Take Over
Automation is now ubiquitous in our world, and in fact, you might think that there is nothing new about it. But until now, automation has been slow and primitive. Machines could be used in factories where simple, repetitive work was performed. But the real revolution is in the automation of much more complex processes and jobs. In general, it is now assumed that most work can be automated over time.
From customer service to complex strategies. With the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence, automation increases efficiency, reduces human error, and creates new opportunities for innovation. Every year, machines get better, and every year, more and more complex work can be automated. Our question might be: what do we do when machines get better at everything? What happens if every job can be replaced? – The question seems utopian, but in 8-10 years it is quite real.
The Wave of Digital Transformation and Digital Business Models
Digital transformation is a fundamental structural change that completely redefines business and the economy. By integrating digital technologies into all areas of a company’s activities, the economy and the business community fundamentally change the value chain. But it is more than just replacing old technologies with new ones – it is a cultural shift. It is new opportunities and challenges.
Never before has it been so easy to attract millions of people to a product, and never before has the power of a few companies been as great as it is today. Digital ecosystems have become one of the most powerful tools for making big profits with little capital. This means that a few companies and a few people can make exponential profits from the digital transformation of the economy and especially digital business models.
Datafication is the fuel of the information age
Simply put, datafication means viewing every aspect of life through the lens of data. It is about turning social actions and processes into quantitative data. This trend is closely linked to advances in big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, which allow us to gain insights and make predictions that were previously unattainable.
Here again, it is important to note how closely the platform economy, digital ecosystems and data processing are interconnected. Because these structures allow data to be collected throughout life to such an extent that each person can be perfectly analyzed and predicted. Because at some point we will have to face the question: what happens if an algorithm can predict my needs better than I can, or can not only predict them, but also influence them?
Digital revolution at all levels
The global economy is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This profound shift towards digital-centric thinking has already left many traces. For example, a few technology corporations now account for a significant share of economic output.
Digitization, the transformation of information into digital format and the use of this digital content has enabled the transition to a data-driven society and insight-driven organizations. Traditional business models, human interactions, all our communication and, of course, our society have changed and will continue to change. This transition to digitalization has changed our world, made it measurable, and is also an important step for other technologies.
Internet and Communications – Building a Networked World
In our Western world, the Internet has long been a standard. The Internet, with its interconnected network of data and information, is the backbone of our digital world, but billions of people still do not have access to the Internet. The consequences for the world’s economy and economic structure would be enormous if this part of the unused world suddenly gained access to the Internet.
We are on the cusp of an exponential leap forward. Developments like 5G, 6G, and even satellite internet and others promise huge increases in speed, reliability, and capacity, paving the way for innovations like autonomous vehicles, real-time remote robotics, and immersive augmented reality, as well as lowering barriers to entry around the world.
Platforms and the Emergence of the Platform Economy
The platform economy, characterized by digital platforms that facilitate interactions and transactions, has come into the spotlight. From social media to e-commerce, these platforms leverage network effects and data to create rich, personalized experiences. These intermediaries and middlemen have developed their own unique dynamics and are also creating challenges at the international level.
For example, major global travel platforms have become important gatekeepers to the travel industry, transforming themselves from booking platforms into giant digital ecosystems for tourists that specifically track all interactions and destinations to increase prices and availability.
Digital ecosystems as a new business paradigm
Digital ecosystems are complex collaborations of companies, individuals, and processes that use digital platforms for a common, beneficial purpose. In short, a wide range of interconnected services, offerings, and platforms are created. This allows for a more effective coverage of the so-called “customer journey.”
Using travel platforms as an example, it is entirely possible that people read travel blogs and magazines, then search for flights, then receive targeted hotel offers, which in turn leads to revenue estimates, which in turn leads to further offers, and so on. These ecosystems have revolutionized customer service, but they also pose risks. For example, Apple’s ecosystem has evolved to the point that it has created dependencies that are then used to sell additional services, and the company even excludes others from its ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just another technology trend, but perhaps the most important technological innovation of our century. Artificial intelligence (AI) and its subtypes or methods, such as machine learning or deep learning, neural networks, generative AI, etc., create systems that can learn, adapt, and potentially act on their own.
Combined with platforms, the data economy, and digital ecosystems, this will radically change our understanding of customers, their preferences, and how we can best incentivize customers and change their behavior to achieve desired results.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things is a network of interconnected devices and sensors that communicate with each other, collect and exchange data. From smart homes to industrial IoT in cars or factories, this trend allows us to gain a complete understanding of our environment. The Internet of Things is like a living dimension of our world.
With this data and real-time measurements, we can implement many innovations that improve the quality of life, protect against accidents, and stimulate new inventions in the economy. However, this can also lead to us being tracked at every step. For example, smartphones have become smart devices that measure our health, analyze our movement profiles, divide us into groups and segments, and are becoming one of the largest elements of surveillance of humanity.
Distributed ledger technologies and blockchain
Blockchain is the most famous example of distributed ledger technologies and promises a new paradigm of trust and security in the digital world. This is because it promises to be a decentralized, immutable system for storing confidential data. Decentralized databases such as blockchain definitely have the potential to be used in various application areas.
However, it remains to be seen whether these promises can be fulfilled, as the technology is not yet ready for mass adoption. Therefore, in the future, we may use other systems and databases that can withstand the general trends of data ecosystems. However, it should also be noted that for most people, storing their own data is not a problem, and digital ecosystems convince with their simplicity and strong marketing.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR)
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) merge the physical and digital worlds. While VR provides an immersive digital experience, AR adds digital components to our physical world. From gaming and entertainment to education, virtual offices and virtual doctor visits, these technologies offer a new level of human interaction. In recent years, increasingly sophisticated systems have been introduced.
However, most VR and AR headsets still have a relatively poor user experience due to low battery life, relatively low resolution, and limited computing power. However, great advances are expected in 8-10 years, which may also enable concepts such as the metaverse, where one can enter high-resolution virtual worlds and improve user experience.
Metaverse and Immersive Media
The Metaverse is something like an evolution of the Internet, an all-encompassing virtual universe that connects multiple realities and allows anyone to create or enter their own virtual reality. The combination of physical and virtual reality opens up unlimited possibilities for work, education, communication, and entertainment.
The goal is to provide users with virtual universes where unlimited possibilities are available and they do not have to obey the laws of physics. You can copy things, create things, there is no wear and tear, and there are no limitations. It is quite possible that in the next 15 to 20 years, virtual realities will emerge in which we will subsequently spend most of our lives – from work to social exchange or vacations and experiences.
Social networks and social services
Social media platforms and services have fundamentally changed human communication. Today, we meet differently, communicate differently, and even antisocial interactions have been replaced by likes and comments. Social media has also changed the world of business, creating new business models and marketing strategies, as well as creating social trends that have influenced politics and society.
Their impact even on our brains and cognitive abilities is a testament to the power of digital platforms, and we can expect technologies that enhance interaction and experience (such as 3D worlds) to lead to the growing influence of social media on business and society.
Advanced Chips and Quantum Computing
The world is run by tiny silicon chips. With current advances in computer chip design and quantum computers, a new era of problem-solving capabilities could begin. For example, quantum computers can process complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers because they are not tied to 0 and 1, but can assume an infinite number of states.
As a result, many expect breakthroughs in cryptography, materials research and medicine, as well as complex modeling of pharmaceuticals and business. We are on the threshold of the quantum age, and we have the prospect of a technological revolution comparable to the discovery of electricity, because many things that are still beyond our reach today, because computers are still too slow and expensive, would then be within our reach. However,
Robotics, drones and autonomous systems
Robots, drones, and autonomous systems are no longer just science fiction; they are already driving our streets or helping in nursing homes. These technologies have a wide range of applications, from logistics and agriculture to manufacturing and emergency response. Boston Dynamics is perhaps one of the most famous examples, which clearly shows what has happened in robotics in the last 10 years.
However, it is important to understand that there are still many solutions to be found. Robotics is very complex, as it requires many algorithms, depends on new materials, and is an interaction of different technologies. So progress is great, but it will take a long time for truly complex and autonomous humanoid robots to actually replace workers.
Space technologies
Everyone wants to go to space. While that’s not the goal of space technology, it’s an opportunity that comes from it. The sector has made incredible strides in recent years, from reusable rockets and satellite technology to ambitious Mars exploration.
Space tourism, asteroid mining and the prospect of off-planet colonies are moving beyond science fiction and becoming real possibilities. In a much more practical sense, many technologies are being developed that also have applications on Earth. But with the growing commercialization of space, a new era is dawning in which we may see space stations in the next 20-30 years or the first settlements on the Moon or Mars in 50 years.
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
3D printing or additive manufacturing can be used in many areas. Additive manufacturing has the potential to democratize product manufacturing by enabling low-cost customization of products, so-called “rapid prototyping,” and easy fabrication of complex designs.
For example, we can now print entire houses, 3D print bones and organs, or mass-produce complex materials for the aerospace and automotive industries. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize many industries, accelerate innovation, and challenge traditional manufacturing models and supply chains.
Smart Cities and Urban Technologies
Smart cities are generally a vision of urban spaces where life is sustainable, efficient and people-oriented. To create a smart city, many factors and technologies need to be combined – from the Internet of Things for measurement and artificial intelligence for assessment and control to big data analytics for planning. Whether it is urban services, sustainable development or quality of life, technology can be applied everywhere to improve our lives.
For example, more and more sensors and computers are being used for intelligent transportation systems, smart grids that are especially needed for renewable energy, automated waste management, and improved security. Cities around the world are growing, and this combination of technologies is helping to control problems ranging from overcrowding and pollution to infrastructure maintenance.
AgTech for the agriculture of the future
With global food security becoming a growing concern, technologies that make agriculture more efficient and sustainable are more important than ever. From crop sensors to smoke detectors in forests and satellite imagery for land and water management.
The applications of artificial intelligence, drones, automation and even data are enormous. As urbanization increases, vertical and indoor farming solutions will also be relevant, which will become important for providing the population with basic food products in the face of increasing loss of agricultural land and difficult weather conditions.
Biotechnology and genomics
Biotechnology and genomics have opened up new horizons in healthcare and life sciences. Gene manipulation technologies such as CRISPR and advances in synthetic biology have made personalized medicine and genetic engineering a reality.
These technologies have the potential to revolutionize our approach to disease, longevity, and even the nature of life itself, and coronavirus medicine has already shown that a cure can be found in a very short time. Personalized medicine based on genes will also play a role in the future.
Regenerative Medicine and Earth’s Longevity
Regenerative medicine has the tantalizing potential to repair or replace damaged cells, tissues, and organs. The field leverages advances in stem cell research, tissue engineering, and, increasingly, 3D bioprinting (3D printing organic materials). For example, it might be possible to make organ transplants obsolete by printing the organs themselves. Or it might be possible to halt or reverse degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. These are all promises of regenerative medicine.
Together with genomics and other technological possibilities, this could lead to healthier lives, perhaps even extend life or even make us immortal if we could completely regenerate and heal cells. The consequences for us as humans and the world would be enormous, and it would also raise thousands of ethical questions.
Neural interfaces and brain-computer interfaces (BCI)
Neural interfaces and brain-computer interfaces (BCI) represent the next level of interaction between humans and machines. What if we could establish a direct link between the human brain and all external electronic devices? Potential applications range from improving the control of prosthetic limbs to enhancing human cognitive abilities.
Although the development is still at a relatively early stage, the possibilities are tantalizing and the implications profound. As these technologies advance, we may have to redefine what it means to be human in a world where minds and machines are increasingly intertwined, and draw the line, because advanced algorithms will then make humans completely manipulable.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology, the science of manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, offers enormous potential in a variety of fields. Most of the advances we see today are in the development of new materials, the advancement of medicine, or the development of electronics.
But nanotechnology could offer solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, like tiny robots that live inside our bodies and heal us or kill cancer cells. We could also use nanorobots to clean up our lakes and fight pollution. If we look more than 30 years into the future, all of these scenarios are possible.
Advanced Materials Science
Advanced materials such as graphene with its remarkable strength and conductivity, metamaterials that can manipulate electromagnetic waves, and self-healing materials are not only transforming established industries such as electronics, aerospace, and energy, but also opening up new possibilities.
As we continue to discover and develop new materials with unique properties, there is no limit to our imagination in shaping future technologies. Countries like China in particular are betting big on developing new materials, as most of them are also designed to “green transition” or replace rare earth elements and form the basis for market disruption or disruptive innovation.
Green technologies and renewable energy sources
Green technologies and renewable energy are an important step towards sustainable development, a cleaner, greener future and a green economy. Innovations in this field range from advanced solar, wind and hydropower technologies to breakthrough developments in hydrogen energy and carbon capture.
While not all countries include nuclear power as a green technology, there are also big changes happening in the direction of modular reactors with passive safety and much lower operating costs or even without the problem of massive nuclear waste. Another interesting technology to watch in 10-20+ years will be nuclear fusion, which will take a step forward and bring us closer to harnessing the power of the sun on our planet.
The existential question of the “singular” event
The technological singularity, the hypothetical point at which AI surpasses human intelligence, raises a profound existential question. This controversial concept highlights the potential of AI in combination with the various technologies mentioned above and the need for ongoing dialogue about the ethical, social, and philosophical implications of these technological advances.
We are slowly evolving in a time when technological innovations are having an exponential impact on us. Not long ago, a doubling of computing power was insignificant and almost unnoticeable to humans. But if we assume that a computer is as smart as a human, and that the evolution is just as fast, then that computer will be twice as smart in 2 years and 1024 times as smart as a human in 20 years.
In the end
These technology megatrends are not only shaping our world right now, they are also creating a new, completely unknown world. Each of these technologies brings unique opportunities and challenges, highlighting the need for a proactive and informed approach.