The World Economic Forum released its 11th annual report on the top emerging technologies that could shape our future.
For over a decade, this report has provided valuable insights into innovations on the horizon that have the potential to transform societies and economies.
This year’s report identifies 10 technologies to watch in 2023, including flexible batteries, generative AI, and sustainable aviation fuel.
Let’s read on…
Generative AI: Fostering Creativity
AI focused on generating creative and innovative outputs, enabling advancements in art, design, content creation, and other fields. Systems can generate images, videos, designs, and text.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Greener Skies Ahead Eco-friendly jet fuel alternatives reduce the carbon footprint of air travel. Made from waste, plants, or renewable electricity, these could cut emissions and make aviation more sustainable.
Designer Phages: Precision Virus Treatments Modified viruses that target and destroy specific bacteria. “Designer” phages are engineered to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and improve healthcare. They could enable precision treatments for infections.
Metaverse for Mental Health: Virtual Well-being Virtual and augmented reality leveraged for mental health interventions. Immersive experiences in the “metaverse” could enable new approaches to therapy, training, and well-being.
Wearable Plant Sensors: Optimizing Agriculture
Sensors that monitor the health of plants and crops, enabling optimized management and sustainable agriculture. They could provide data on factors like hydration, nutrition, and pest infestation to improve crop yields.
Spatial Omics: A Deeper Understanding of Biology
Combining genomic data with location information within biological systems. This could enable a deeper understanding of complex interactions in the body, advancing personalized medicine and disease research.
Flexible Neural Electronics: Linking Mind and Machine Electronics that interface with the nervous system, enabling breakthroughs in healthcare, prosthetics, and more. Flexible, implantable devices could monitor and stimulate neural activity.
Sustainable Computing: Reducing Digital Environmental Impact Approaches that reduce the environmental impact of digital technologies. This includes improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and reducing electronic waste through improved hardware and software design.
AI-Facilitated Healthcare: Improving Health Outcomes AI and machine learning are increasingly used to aid in diagnostics, treatment planning, patient monitoring, and care. AI could help detect diseases, personalize treatment, and enable remote care, improving health outcomes worldwide.
What’s in it for Africa?
For African countries to benefit from emerging tech, governments, academia, and industry must foster an environment where research, entrepreneurship, and adoption can thrive. By nurturing talent, investing in infrastructure, and promoting collaboration, African countries can drive progress through technology.
While the WEF report does not specify which technologies are emerging in Africa, the continent has the potential to shape and benefit from technological change. With strategic investments, partnerships, and policies, African countries can actively participate in the global tech landscape, using innovation to enable inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Though the report does not highlight Africa-based technologies, it provides insights into fields where African countries could contribute and gain. By embracing emerging technologies, Ghana and other African nations have the opportunity to drive social and economic transformation from within.
