Summer Davos releases top 10 emerging technologies to address global challenges

The 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC24), also known as the Summer Davos, released the Top 10 Emerging Technologies report, featuring technologies with the greatest potential to make a positive impact in the world over the next 3-5 years. 

The newly released report at the AMNC24 was the 12th edition, which serves as a vital source of strategic intelligence for professional observers. 

Drawing on insights from scientists, researchers and futurists, the report identifies 10 technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies, which aim to offer ground-breaking technological solutions relevant to international society and make a real contribution in the next three to five years, according to the report publisher.

The 10 technologies were selected from a group of 70 candidate technologies applied with criteria including novelty, applicability, depth, and power, according to Frederick Fenter, chief executive editor of Frontiers, the co-publisher of the report, during a press conference held on Wednesday. 

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered scientific discovery, high-altitude platform stations and genomics for transplants are among the 10 listed technologies, which focus on the applications in health, communication, infrastructure and sustainability.

Aside from the three above-mentioned technologies, the report provided an overview of integrated sensing and communication, the advent of 6G networks that facilitates simultaneous data collection (sensing) and transmission (communication). The technology enables environmental monitoring systems that help in smart agriculture, environmental conservation and urban planning. Integrated sensing and communication devices also promise to reduce energy and silicon consumption.

Another listed technology - carbon-capturing microbes - can provide a promising approach to mitigating climate change by converting emissions into valuable products like biofuels by engineered organisms. 

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.

"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 across the globe," according to Fenter, as quoted by the official World Economic Forum website.

Organizations make better choices when they understand the factors shaping the future. The report identifies technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies, said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum and Head of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"The report also spotlights technologies with immense potential for revolutionizing connectivity, addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and driving innovation across various fields," Jurgens noted.