Technology acceleration

Technology’s accelerating capabilities are influencing all aspects of life. For the most part, this is viewed as a positive and practically inevitable development. Technological development is seen as the key to economic, social, and environmental growth that will unlock a higher quality of life for all. The rapid rate of technological change is thought to bring large scale disruption. Reports encourage businesses and governments to take risks and adopt early when it comes to emerging technology. However, some take a more cautious position, warning that technology cannot solve all of society’s problems, and may cause problems if left unchecked. Privacy and surveillance are mentioned, as well as potential job loss due to automation and industry disruption. Ethical concerns are raised, questioning who technology is meant to benefit.

Future Scenarios and Implications for the Industry by World Economic Forum presents three potential future scenarios and their implications for the infrastructure urban development industries: 1.) Building in a virtual world; 2.) Factories run the world; 3.) A green reboot. These scenarios explore different paths of technological advancement, social changes, and environmental challenges. Emerging technology breakthroughs in virtual reality, robotics, materials science, energy storage, quantum computing, and more are expected to connect billions of people with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge.

The Future of Immigration: Four Paths by Institute for the Future provides an analysis of potential trends and scenarios surrounding immigration. It explores factors such as globalization, technology, and policy changes that may shape the future of immigration. The document presents four different scenarios, highlighting the complex and evolving nature of immigration and its potential impact on societies, economies, and individuals in the coming years. One of the five drivers set to shape the immigration experience in the coming decade is technology. Technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence could cause large-scale disruptions in labor, security, and surveillance. Additionally, biotechnologies could reorganize food production.

The Future of Risk: New Game, New Rules by Deloitte explores the evolving landscape of risk management. It explores 10 drivers and discusses how advancements in technology, globalization, and changing business models are reshaping the risk landscape for organizations. One of those 10 drivers is “disruption dominates the executive agenda,” in which the constant threat of disruption from emerging technologies challenge fundamental assumptions about organizational strategy.

The Future of Sense-making by Policy Horizons Canada examines the changing landscape of sense-making in an increasingly complex and information-rich world. It discusses the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, on the way individuals and organizations make sense of information. The document emphasizes the need for adaptive sense-making strategies, collaboration across disciplines, and ethical considerations to effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The World in 2040: The future of healthcare, mobility, travel and the home by Allianz Partners provides an overview of the megatrends shaping the 21st century. It highlights key factors such as demographic changes, technological advancements, climate change, and shifting economic power. The report explores the implications of these megatrends, one of which is “Acceleration exponential information technology development.” The most noticable effect of rapid technological development is social and economic disruption.

The OECD Scenarios for the Future of Schooling by OECD is a chapter of four scenarios for 2040:

• Schooling extended
• Education outsourced
• Schools as learning hubs
• Learn-as-you-go

The speed of technological change is a highly influential variable. Additionally, embedding technologies in our lives through digital personal assistants, smart toys, and wearable devices change the way we interact with learning and technology in our daily lives.

Future of Consumption in Fast-Growth Consumer Markets: ASEAN by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Bain & Company builds on in-depth consumer surveys conducted across over 1,740 households in 22 cities and towns in ASEAN, covering all key demographic segments. It also draws from over 35 in-depth interviews with private and public-sector leaders. ASEAN growth will be propelled by four mega-forces: favorable demographics; rising income levels; geopolitical shifts; and digital tailwinds. Technology Enabled platforms will tear down socio-economic walls. As ASEAN consumers leapfrog in digital adoption, it will enable the underserved to access basic services such as healthcare, education and financial services.

The Future of Cybercrime in Light of Technology Developments by RAND presents the findings of a study conducted to understand current and future trends in cybercrime and identify policy measures to address them. Key findings include the anticipated increase in cybercrime due to advancements in connectivity, information technology, computing power, and data analysis capabilities. They list “Social and economic drivers of crime” as “poverty, lack of social cohesion, lack of access to housing, employment, education, and health services.”

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