In June, the World Economic Forum published its 2024 edition of the ten emerging technologies of the year. In its report, this is what the organization highlighted:

1. Artificial intelligence for scientific research. Generative AI and basic models are revolutionizing the process of scientific discovery, as they will enable researchers to make unprecedented connections and breakthroughs in understanding diseases, proposing new materials and improving knowledge of the human mind and body.
2. Privacy-enhancing technologies. By protecting personal privacy and - at the same time - providing new opportunities for data sharing and global collaboration, "synthetic data" is set to transform the way information is handled with powerful applications in health-related research.
3. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). They correspond to a flat surface composed of unit cells, whose properties can be dynamically controlled to "tune" incident wireless signals through reflection, refraction, focusing, collimation, modulation or absorption. These innovative surfaces turn ordinary walls and surfaces into smart components for wireless communication, while improving energy efficiency in wireless networks. They have enormous potential for numerous applications, from smart factories to vehicle networks.
4. High altitude platform stations. Wireless network nodes that operate in the stratosphere at an altitude of approximately 20 km and are essential for providing communication services. Using aircraft, airships and balloons, these systems can extend mobile network access to remote regions, helping to bridge the digital divide for more than 2.6 billion people worldwide.
5. Integrated sensing and communication. The advent of 6G networks facilitates simultaneous data collection (sensing) and transmission (communication). This makes it possible to work with environmental monitoring systems that aid in smart agriculture, environmental conservation and urban planning.
6. Immersive technology for construction. Combining computing power with virtual and augmented reality, these technologies promise rapid improvements in infrastructure, enabling designers and construction professionals to check the correspondence between physical and digital models, ensuring accuracy and safety and advanced sustainability.
7. Elastocaloric materials. As global temperatures rise, the need for cooling solutions will skyrocket. To offer greater efficiency and lower energy use, elastocaloric materials release and absorb heat under mechanical stress, presenting a sustainable alternative to current technologies.
8. Carbon sequestering microbes. Genetically modified organisms that convert carbon dioxide emissions into valuable products such as biofuels, providing a promising approach to mitigating climate change.
9. Alternative livestock feeds. Protein feed for livestock from unicellular proteins, algae and food waste could offer a sustainable solution for the livestock industry.
10. Genomic techniques for transplantation. The successful implantation of genetically modified organs in a human being marks a significant advance in medical care, offering hope to millions of people awaiting transplants.

More details in The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)