Electricity and Control August 2024

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE

The top 10 emerging technologies of 2024

T he World Economic Forum (WEF) recently published its annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report present ing technologies identified to have the greatest potential to make a positive impact in the world in the next three to five years. “Organisations make better choices when they under stand the factors shaping the future,” said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum and Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The report identifies technologies poised to influence societies and economies significantly. It spotlights technologies with sig nificant potential for revolutionising connectivity, address ing the urgent challenges of climate change and driving innovation across various fields.” “Drawing on the expertise of Frontiers’ chief field editors worldwide brings our shared commitment to transformative science into clear focus, presenting insights and clarity on breakthrough technology that has the potential to change societies, economies, and lives for the better,” said Frederick Fenter, Chief Executive Editor, Frontiers. “This is open science in action, and we are delighted to partner with the World Economic Forum in bringing these technologies to the attention of business, science and political leaders around the globe.” The top 10 emerging technologies identified in the 2024 report focus on applications in health, communications, in frastructure and sustainability, as outlined below. AI for scientific discovery: While artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in research for many years, advances in deep learning, generative AI and foundation models are revolutionising the scientific discovery process. AI will ena ble researchers to make unprecedented connections and advances in understanding diseases, proposing new ma terials, and enhancing knowledge of the human body and mind. Privacy-enhancing technologies: Protecting personal privacy while providing new opportunities for global data sharing and collaboration, ‘synthetic data’ is set to trans form how information is handled with powerful applications in health-related research. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces: These innovative surfaces turn ordinary walls and surfaces into intelligent

regions, helping bridge the digital divide for over 2.6 billion people worldwide. Integrated sensing and communication: The advent of 6G networks facilitates simultaneous data collection (sensing) and transmission (communication). This enables environmental monitoring systems that help in smart agri culture, environmental conservation and urban planning. Integrated sensing and communication devices also prom ise to reduce energy and silicon consumption. Immersive technology for the built world: Combining computing power with virtual and augmented reality, these technologies promise rapid improvements in infrastructure and daily systems. They allow for designers and construc tion professionals to check for correspondence between physical and digital models, ensuring accuracy and safety and advancing sustainability. Elastocalorics: As global temperatures rise, the need for cooling solutions is set to soar. Offering higher efficiency and lower energy use, elastocalorics release and absorb heat under mechanical stress, presenting a sustainable al ternative to current technologies. Carbon-capturing microbes: Engineered organisms convert emissions into valuable products like biofuels, pro viding a promising approach to mitigating climate change. Alternative livestock feeds: Protein feeds for livestock sourced from single-cell proteins, algae and food waste could offer a sustainable solution for the agricultural industry. Genomics for transplants: The successful implanta tion of genetically engineered organs into a human marks a significant advance in healthcare, offering hope to millions awaiting transplants. The Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report , now in its 12th edition, serves as a source of strategic intelligence for professionals. Drawing on insights from scientists, re searchers and futurists, the report identifies 10 technolo gies that have the potential to influence societies and econ omies significantly. In addition to promising major benefits to societies and economies, these emerging technologies are noted as disruptive, attractive to investors and researchers, and ex pected to achieve considerable scale within five years. This year’s edition introduced an innovative trend analysis methodology, incorporating academic literature, funding trends and patent filings, to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the selected technologies. The technologies featured in the report, produced in collaboration with Frontiers, were identified through a rigorous selection process involving over 300 world-leading academics and experts from the Forum’s Global Future Councils, the University and Research Network, the Frontiers network comprising over 2 000 chief editors worldwide from top institutions, and Mariette di Christina and Bernard Meyerson, Co-Chairs of the Emerging Technologies Steering Group.

components for wireless communication and, at the same time, enhance en ergy efficiency in wireless networks. They hold prom ise for numerous applica tions, from smart factories to vehicular networks. High-altitude platform stations: Using aircraft, blimps and balloons, these systems can extend mobile network access to remote

The top 10 emerging technologies identified for 2024 have applications in health, communications, infrastructure and sustainability.

For more information visit: www.weforum.org

30 Electricity + Control AUGUST 2024