Key emerging technologies in 2024: We now live in the digital age. Embracing digitalization is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. The emergence of new digital trends and technologies, and their rapid advancements, are causing us to evolve at an unprecedented pace, heralding a new era of development. These emerging technologies are poised to transform industries, address global challenges, and improve the lives of people around the world.
The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Frontiers, “The potential impact of addressing multiple global challenges, from advances in materials science to transformative technologies in healthcare.” As stated in the WEF press release:
“We are also shining the spotlight on technologies that have great potential to revolutionize connectivity, address the urgent challenge of climate change and drive innovation across sectors.” Jeremy Jurgens, managing director at the World Economic Forum and director of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, said in a release.
From enhancing scientific discovery to protecting data privacy, improving communications infrastructure and providing more sustainable and effective solutions, here are the top 10 emerging technologies for 2024 that have the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges and shape our future.
1. AI for Scientific Discovery:
While artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in research for many years, recent advances in deep learning, generative AI, and fundamental models are transforming the process of scientific discovery. Researchers will be able to make unprecedented connections and advances in understanding diseases, proposing new materials, and advancing our knowledge of the human body and mind. This breakthrough in AI capabilities is expected to accelerate scientific discovery and make the research process more efficient and far-reaching.
2. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies:
As data becomes increasingly integral to research and business, “synthetic data” is poised to transform the way we work with information. Synthetic data is artificially generated based on algorithms and can mimic real-world data. By fostering new opportunities for global data sharing and collaboration and protecting individual privacy, it could lead to major advances in medical research and other fields that require sensitive data.
3. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces:
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are transforming ordinary walls and surfaces into intelligent components for wireless communication. These surfaces can increase the signal strength and energy efficiency of wireless networks, bringing huge benefits from smart factories, where RIS improves communication between machines, leading to more efficient manufacturing processes, to vehicle networks, where RIS can improve connectivity and safety, making wireless communication infrastructure more adaptable and efficient.
4. High platform station:
High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) can offer a promising solution for extending mobile network access in remote and underserved areas. They can be mounted on aircraft, airships, and balloons and have the potential to provide internet connectivity and communication services to remote and underserved areas. Leveraging HAPS technology can help bridge the digital divide and connect an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world.
5. Integrated sensing and communication:
The advent of 6G networks will enable the simultaneous collection (sensing) and transmission (communication) of data, enabling environmental monitoring systems in smart agriculture, conservation, and urban planning, and is expected to reduce energy consumption and silicon usage, making things more sustainable.
6. Immersive technologies for the architectural world:
Virtual and augmented reality, combined with enhanced computing power, are revolutionizing infrastructure and everyday systems. Immersive technologies enable designers and construction professionals to visualize and ensure that physical models and digital blueprints match precisely, while ensuring accuracy, safety, and improving sustainability.
7. Elastocaloric:
As global temperatures rise, there is an ever-increasing demand for efficient cooling solutions. A sustainable alternative to traditional cooling technologies, Elastocaloric releases and absorbs heat under mechanical stress. It is highly efficient and consumes less energy.
8. Carbon Capture Microorganisms:
Carbon-capturing organisms are genetically engineered microorganisms that can convert carbon and industrial emissions into useful substances such as biofuels, reducing greenhouse gas levels and representing a breakthrough in mitigating climate change.
9. Alternative livestock feed:
Agriculture, especially livestock farming, faces significant sustainability challenges. Alternative livestock feed derived from single-cell proteins, algae and food waste could offer sustainable solutions for agriculture. Their adoption could help agriculture move towards more sustainable practices and minimise its environmental impact whilst ensuring food security.
10. Genomics for transplantation:
The successful transplantation of genetically modified organs into humans is a major medical advancement, potentially increasing the availability of viable organs and improving outcomes for transplant patients. This breakthrough offers hope to millions of patients awaiting transplants, which can be tailored to reduce the risk of rejection and improve compatibility.
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First uploaded: 07 Feb 2024 11:48 IST
