‘Top Voice’ Business Editor | Panel Moderator, Event Host & Keynote Speaker
C-suite leaders need to be aware of trends in the present that are likely to become our future reality. #WEF neatly describes the future as “both a realm of study and a landscape to shape”; as we study it in detail, and WEF notes the advancements across 10 emerging technologies for 2024, three in particular caught my eye. Not only am I following these closely myself for HotTopics, but they each have burning questions that may impact their potency for genuine change. 1. AI for scientific discovery Deep Mind’s #AlphaFold is accurately predicting 3D models of protein structures, and researchers are discovering a new family of antibiotics, as well as materials for more efficient batteries. We are seeing similar advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases, and in how the human mind is understood. More research is needed to manage AIs impact. Beyond energy usage and ethics, tackling inherent biases in data sets and improving the reliability of model-generated content is crucial to scientific integrity. Look out for: intellectual property rights, particularly ownership and copyright of model-generated content, are still largely unaddressed. 2. Privacy-enhancing technologies Access to increasingly large datasets powers genAI, and transforms research, discovery and innovation. However, appropriate concerns around privacy, security and data sovereignty limit the degree to which high-value data can be shared and used. CISOs and CROs are renewing interest in homomorphic encryption, which allows encoded data to be analysed without the raw data being directly accessible. It does, however, require significantly more energy and time to achieve a secure result. I’m also hearing a lot about synthetic data. Powered by AI, synthetic data “removes many of the restrictions to working with sensitive data and opens new possibilities in global data sharing.” Look out for: Regulation on synthetic data is a grey area, and certain data sets (like, national health) are too vulnerable to be considered in this context—yet. 3. Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces Global demand for higher data rates, lower latency and energy-efficient connectivity is skyrocketing; the launch of 6G by 2030 will compound this demand. Enter: reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (#RIS). RIS platforms use meta-materials, smart algorithms and advanced signal processing to turn ordinary walls and surfaces into “intelligent components for wireless communication.” The growth of RIS is likely to impact several industrial sectors: tailored radio wave propagation in smart factories can ensure reliable communication in a highly complex environment; or, to improve coverage in farming, RIS has low energy consumption and high-cost efficiency. Look out for: Hardware costs need reducing immediately, as is the need for clearer standards and regulations on the secure and ethical use of the technology. https://lnkd.in/gZ94_MUM