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How the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 will impact the world

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024: AI-powered scientific discovery and elastocalorics are among the 10 listed technologies. Image:  World Economic Forum

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• The World Economic Forum's Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 report lists this year's most impactful emerging technologies.
• The list includes ways artificial intelligence is accelerating scientific research with a focus on applications in health, communication, infrastructure and sustainability.
• AI-powered scientific discovery, carbon-capturing microbes, and elastocalorics are among the 10 listed technologies.

In a fast-changing world of transient ideas, which emerging technologies should be on the agenda of decision-makers, entrepreneurs and citizens in the years to come?

The World Economic Forum's latest Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 report – launched today and produced in collaboration with Frontiers – unveils a future teeming with possibilities. A wider lens was employed for this year's report, now in its 12th edition, leveraging the expertise of over 300 world-leading academics and experts from the Forum’s Global Future Councils, the University & Researcher Network and the Top 10 Emerging Technologies Steering Group members.​

Their insights, combined with data analysis, ensure a robust understanding of each technology's potential impact in addressing multiple global challenges: from advancements in materials science to transformative technologies in healthcare.

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Here are the technologies that feature in the report:

Connectivity technology

In a world that needs to use less energy, and with 6G on the horizon, how can we make this growing demand for, and delivery of, instant data access more sustainable?

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) optimize wireless communications links by changing shape dynamically, combining meta-materials, smart algorithms and advanced signal processing to control and manipulate electromagnetic waves.

Engineered for enhanced capacity and connectivity and with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, RIS can turn ordinary walls and surfaces into intelligent components in a wireless network.

How could the technology impact everyday processes? Telecoms is the major area of use. This could mean more reliable and efficient radio-wave communication in smart factories and vehicular networks, as well as improved coverage in agricultural settings, the report predicts.

Harnessing the latest in solar, battery, lightweight composite material and avionic technology, high altitude platform station (HAPS) systems potentially offer new levels of communications and observation capabilities . Operating at around 20km above the Earth – typically in balloon, airship or fixed-wing aircraft form – they can beat the connectivity, coverage and performance of terrestrial towers and satellites, particularly in remote parts of the world.

HAPS' innovative infrastructure is poised to bring internet access to over 2.6 billion people in 100 countries without connectivity, creating opportunities for education and economic growth.

In addition to improving digital inclusion, HAPS are quick to deploy so could be of vital use in emergency situations.

In a world awash with sensing and communications devices, there is inevitably some functional overlap. Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) combines these capabilities in a single system that can collect and transmit data simultaneously, enabling cost and hardware efficiencies while opening up new application possibilities.

ISAC makes wireless networks environment-aware, enabling functions such as localization, environmental mapping and infrastructure monitoring. Sensors and data analytics can be used to monitor air and water quality, soil moisture and weather conditions, for example. Real-world applications include monitoring systems for smart agriculture, environmental conservation and urban planning, as well as smart grids that optimize energy generation and consumption.

AI-enabled discoveries

It’s no surprise the speedy acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) – and what it means for scientific research – tops this year’s list of major tech developments. While scientists have long been experimenting with how AI can advance their knowledge and capabilities, recent breakthroughs in deep learning, generative AI and foundation models are changing the game when it comes to rates of discovery and prediction.

With AI expanding the world of data like never before, finding ways of leveraging it without ethical or security concerns is key. Enter synthetic data , an exciting privacy-enhancing technology re-emerging in the age of AI. It replicates the patterns and trends in sensitive datasets but does not contain specific information that could be linked to individuals or compromise organizations or governments. Building on advances in AI, synthetic data makes it possible for scientists and others to share data globally and work collaboratively on research related to biology and health by removing identifying information.

AI for Scientific Discovery is transforming how new knowledge is discovered and used. AI systems such as Deep Mind’s AlphaFold can accurately predict the 3D models of protein structures. AI has also been applied in research that discovered a new family of antibiotics and created materials for more efficient batteries. According to a recent report from the United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, “ AI has the potential to transform every scientific discipline and many aspects of the way we conduct science.”

The building and construction sector is responsible for almost 40% of carbon emissions , according to the United Nations. Immersive technology for the built world and AI-driven blended reality tools could have critical parts to play in its cleaner future, helping anticipate challenges and optimize projects for delivery in the real world. Digital twins, for example, can be used to simulate complex outcomes, increasing efficiency, while virtual prototyping and experimentation can help improve accuracy.

Business may be booming, but global labour shortages persist . In the metaverse, this could be mitigated, the Top 10 Emerging Technologies report says, through immersive learning and training environments that bring together architecture, engineering and construction professionals from around the world.

Tech to tackle climate change

Technologies that address, and provide solutions for, the climate crisis feature heavily in this year’s top 10.

Elastocalorics is a rapidly advancing field, described as “powering heat systems to work like muscles”, which could offer more sustainable ways to keep cool. With a warming climate and growing data demands, this has never been more important. Heat pumps using elastocaloric materials such as nickel and titanium – which emit heat when mechanical stress is applied and cool down when the stress is relaxed – are proving more energy-efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems.

Another benefit is they do not require the use of environmentally harmful refrigerant gases, and can be used for cooling in areas with limited or no electricity grid infrastructure, according to the report. A study by the US Department of Energy ranks these heat pumps as the most promising alternative to current systems .

In the midst of a climate crisis, microorganisms are proving a valuable resource. Able to capture greenhouse gases from air or exhaust gases, they are converting emissions into valuable products like biofuels, which have the potential to reduce global warming.

There are two main types of microbial carbon capture . The first uses organisms like cyanobacteria and microalgae that “eat” carbon through photosynthesis , the second employs microorganisms that use renewable energy sources – like hydrogen or organic waste streams – to capture CO2, which is then converted into new products, including biodiesel and protein-rich animal feed.

Animal agriculture relies on the production of proteins like soy, which can lead to deforestation, biodiversity loss, over-fertilization and greenhouse gas emissions from land-use changes. Alternative livestock feeds , or protein feeds for livestock sourced from single-cell proteins, algae and food waste – could be viable, sustainable substitutes for such products, especially as demand increases, says the report.

Advances in transplantation

While transplants save lives, there are not nearly enough available organs to meet demand. But recent advances in genetic manipulation, like CRISPR-Cas9 , could change that.

Genomics for transplants: The successful implantation of genetically engineered organs into a human marks a significant advancement in healthcare, offering hope to millions awaiting transplants​.

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From phytoplankton-based carbon capture to 3D reconstruction scanners, scientists are working on cutting-edge technologies they believe can reshape humanity for the better.

Challenges like climate change and dwindling natural resources and can make the future seem uncertain and even scary. But our fate isn't sealed so long as scientists around the world have a say. They're busy dreaming up technologies, from the practical to the zany, that could make the future a little brighter. 

Prototypes for Humanity , a Dubai-based organization that runs a contest to spur innovation, has highlighted 100 projects in 2023 that they believe could change the world — from electrical skin to devices that predict air pollution without any air sensors. Here are some of our favorites.

Real-time monitoring to predict natural disasters

NatCat aims to use satellite imagery, remote sensing and machine learning to assess the risk of natural hazards in different locations, which could help to reduce the risk of harm for those living there. The tool generates risk assessments for any location in the world, regardless of the availability of local data. It can also use climate change data to project the frequency and intensity of some natural hazards in the future.  

Converting air humidity to electricity 

This project, called Electric Skin, creates a self-powering biomaterial for electronic devices that harnesses the electrically conductive properties of the mud-dwelling bacteria known as Geobacter sulfurrenducens . Specifically, the bacteria's protein nanowires can generate electricity from the air's ambient humidity. The scientists have extracted the bacteria's DNA and embedded this into E. coli for production. To create the power source, the team placed the nanowires harvested from E. coli into compostable biomaterials to create a flexible and textured membrane that can power electronic devices from the air and water.  

Recycled tiles that regulate heat and humidity

Spurred by the excessive production of non-recyclable plastics alongside the effects of climate change in south India, Wastly Roof Tiles aims to replace conventional roof tiles with tiles made of a recycled material that can reduce indoor temperatures. 

These tiles, which are created by shredding and melting multi-layered plastics, are lightweight and waterproof and can reflect heat. This project is inspired by the cryosphere — icy parts of Earth that regulate the planet's temperature — and the finished product incorporates a blend of the blue and white that many might associate with these regions. 

Phytoplankton-based carbon capture

Phytoplankton transfers 40% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to the ocean using photosynthesis . With PhytoMat, scientists now want to harness this natural process on an industrial scale. 

PhytoMat is a flexible, carpet-like technology that is installed horizontally and vertically on surfaces and contains recycled materials embedded with live phytoplankton. As they grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from their surroundings and convert that into biomass — organic material that can be repurposed — before it's harvested and delivered to recycling plants. This material can then be transformed into new products, like bioplastics.

Electricity-free medical injection in disaster recovery

Using only air pressure and the elasticity of balloons, Golden Capsule is a device that can administer intravenous drugs without the need for another human to hold a medicinal pack. 

This project stands apart from other devices because no electricity is needed — making it ideal for use in disaster recovery scenarios. Golden Capsule uses elastic force and air pressure differences to deliver medicine, rather than gravity, which is used in other non-powered or low-powered systems. 

The biodegradable polystyrene replacement 

Carbon Cell is a biodegradable expanding foam made from biochar — a secret combination of biological ingredients derived from food waste — that's mixed and expanded using a patented manufacturing process. 

The process is similar to injection molding and enables many different shapes and sizes to be formed quickly when, say, packaging items. The scientists behind this technology ultimately want to replace polystyrene, which they said is toxic and harmful to the environment.

A graphics card that can slash AI's carbon emissions 

Generative AI models need to be trained in massive data centers, normally using the power of specialized graphics cards (GPUs). This means generative AI has a huge carbon footprint. But Tasawwur D310 is a GPU that its creators say is vastly more energy efficient than today's leading GPUs. The chip is super dense — with electronic components fitted much closer together and stacked on 10 layers (versus two layers in one of the leading competitors, Nvidia's, chips) — meaning data is exchanged much faster, saving energy and speeding up the training process.

Programmable soft robotics

FlowIO Platform claims to be the world's first general-purpose way to make prototypes of soft robotic parts. This tiny device includes integrated pumps and batteries, and it features five programmable ports, which users can manipulate through a web browser via a Bluetooth connection. Each port can inflate, vacuum, release, hold, sense pressure and alter flow rates. This device also features onboard batteries and 10 different sensors. Its creators say it'll enable robotics experts to bring their ideas from conception to reality much faster than before.

Mixed-reality building inspection with drones

FlyVision combines mixed reality with drone flight to help drone users inspect buildings and other spaces more effectively. Using Microsoft's HoloLens 2 augmented reality (AR) headset, the system gives drone pilots the tools to scan immediate surroundings and create a 3D digital twin within the system. They could then plan a path inside the space and use the planned path to guide a drone through its environment. 

AI-augmented renewable energy

This software platform, called "Renescout", uses data mining, remote sensing and AI to better assess whether renewable energy projects are worth pursuing — a process that normally takes 18 months. "Go" or "no" decisions can effectively be made without investing additional time and resources into exploring the viability of unearthing prospective renewable energy sources, the company claims.

Detecting microplastics with high-tech imagery

SPLASH is a system that uses an advanced form of imaging to detect microplastics in water and the air. The imaging, called intelligent polarization holographic probing, works using light-based scanning and 3D modeling to establish the presence of microplastics that can't be seen by the naked eye. 

Sustainable solid-state batteries

These batteries are made from copper, aluminum and a sodium-based solid-state electrolyte. These novel materials work as both current collectors and electrodes. The battery's coaxial architecture and beam-like structure enable it to retain energy while reducing wasted space and material. The makers of the batteries, dubbed Ferroelectric Electrolyte Batteries, say they are non-flammable and sustainable alternatives to today's lithium-ion batteries. The researchers imagine they could serve in a variety of uses in the automotive and aerospace industries.

AI feedback to improve surgery outcomes

This AI system, called Surgical AI Trainer, assesses the performance of surgeons and offers feedback on how they can improve their technique. When looking at video recordings of procedures, the system analyzes various components of the operation, such as the intricate movements the surgeon performs. It offers precise and quantified feedback — citing particular segments of the video alongside a rationale for picking it out — on how a surgeon performs in the operating theater. This reduces the need for subjective feedback from an expert peer, which can be laborious. 

3D scanning with advanced laser-based radar 

The MindPalace-360 is a machine that uses advanced algorithms and 3D reconstruction tools to generate a photorealistic digital render of a real-world environment. Built primarily for those in architecture, construction or engineering, this system essentially creates digital twins that are incredibly close to the real thing. It lets users capture, process and visualize spatial data much more accurately, which feeds into better design and planning.

Extending lithium-ion battery life

Lithium-ion batteries in products like laptops or even electric cars tend to have charge limits to extend the batteries' longevity. But many e-mobility systems, like e-scooters, lack these controls, which could lead to more e-waste generation as batteries degrade quickly and need to be thrown out much sooner than they should have been. BetterE implements charge limits on the AC side of a charger for electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. For drivers, this would reduce the operating costs of their electric vehicles while also reducing e-waste on a broader level.

Real-time air pollution monitoring

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Data2Action uses AI algorithms to monitor air pollution in real time — even if the area has no air sensors. The system takes monitoring data from areas that have sensors installed, and then uses this to extrapolate information and determine predicted air pollution readings in places that don't have sensors installed. The machine learning models also predict potential health outcomes based on air pollution exposure levels, its makers say. 

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Keumars is the technology editor at Live Science. He has written for a variety of publications including ITPro, The Week Digital, ComputerActive, The Independent, The Observer, Metro and TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a technology journalist for more than five years, having previously held the role of features editor with ITPro. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist and has a degree in biomedical sciences from Queen Mary, University of London. He's also registered as a foundational chartered manager with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), having qualified as a Level 3 Team leader with distinction in 2023.

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Research Topics

Seven research topics on the emerging technologies disrupting the world of science.

The link between science, innovation, and technology is crucial: rapid technological advances create new opportunities for scientific progress in healthcare, communication, energy production, and more, essential for society's progress.

In an impactful partnership, Frontiers joined the World Economic Forum to identify the top 10 emerging technologies in 2024 . The result is a report that highlights tech advancements with the potential to revolutionize how we connect, tackle climate change, and propel scientific discovery forward.

Frederick Fenter, Frontiers' Chief Executive Editor, emphasizes how the report draws on the expertise of a global network of field editors to offer deep insights into breakthrough technology and its transformative potential for improving societies, economies, and individual lives.

Inspired by this collaboration, we’ve curated seven Research Topics harnessing the power of transformative technologies. From AI-powered plant disease detection to the future of digital health and big data in medicine, these research communities are tackling critical worldwide challenges across diverse fields.

All articles are openly available to view and download.

1 | Recent Advances in Big Data, Machine, and Deep Learning for Precision Agriculture

128,000 views | 22 articles

This Research Topic explores how big data, machine, and deep learning algorithms are being applied to precision agriculture and plant health. It also investigates how these tools can be used and improved in the future to aid food security, mainly involving the integration of state-of-the-art technologies.

This topic brings together researchers from diverse fields and specializations, such as plant bioinformatics, computer engineering, computer science, agricultural engineering, environmental engineering, food engineering, information technology, and mathematics.

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2 | Artificial Intelligence and Bioinformatics Applications for Omics and Multi-Omics Studies

30,000 views | 13 articles

Researchers present new bioinformatics tools and computational approaches to the analysis of omics data, or the application of existing tools, toward a more complete interpretation of biological phenomena, with applications in personalized medicine and biotechnology.

The omics sciences have revolutionized research in areas such as biology, biotechnology, medicine, and agri-food sciences. At the same time, the production of large-scale data has led to strong demand for appropriate computational tools for their management, analysis, and interpretation. All these factors make this Research Topic highly relevant for omics and multi-omics studies.

3 | Remote Sensing for Field-based Crop Phenotyping

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This Research Topic studies field-based crop phenotyping through different remote sensing platforms and sensors coupled with diversified algorithms. The topic investigates achievements for determining multi-sensor integration methods, image processing ways, and retrieval modeling algorithms to improve the accuracy and robustness of crop phenotype assessment, which can be used for accelerating crop research, breeding efficiency, and precise agricultural management.

The development of crop science requires more rapid and accurate access to field-based crop phenotypes. Remote sensing provides a novel solution to quantify crop structural and functional traits in a timely, rapid, non-invasive, and efficient manner.

4 | AI Empowered Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering

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This Research Topic highlights significant advancements in AI applications for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular healthcare. It also showcases how AI technology can enhance diagnosis, treatment, risk prediction, and rehabilitation for these diseases through extensive data analysis.

Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases remain major global health challenges, significantly contributing to disabilities and mortality. Advances in machine learning, deep learning, computational power, and algorithms have made swift dataset analysis possible. Consequently, AI integration into healthcare is gaining significant attention, with physicians increasingly relying on AI tools for improved diagnosis, intervention guidance, and therapy monitoring.

5 | Current Advances in Genomics and Gene Editing Tools for Crop Improvement in a Changing Climate Scenario

86,000 views | 20 articles

A Research Topic demonstrating the use of cutting-edge plant genomics and gene editing technologies to tackle a specific problem, such as improving a trait. Advances in plant genomics and gene editing technologies have revolutionized breeding programs globally and are taking agriculture to new heights.

Feeding the burgeoning population and ensuring global food security in a changing climate scenario have prompted scientists to explore adoption of the latest tools and technologies (genomics and gene editing) to increase food production.

6 | Perspectives in Digital Health and Big Data in Medicine: Current Trends, Professional Challenges, and Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

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This Research Topic provides a comprehensive overview of the current trends, scientific potential, regulatory and professional challenges, and ethical and social implications of digital health and big data in medicine, including prevention, clinical care, research, management, regulation, and health policy perspectives.

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7 | Advanced AI Methods for Plant Disease and Pest Recognition

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Monitoring the growing conditions of crops and detecting plant diseases is critical for sustainable agriculture. However, this activity is prone to errors, leading to possible incorrect decisions. In this context, deep learning has played a key role in solving complicated applications with increasing accuracy over time. Recent interest in this type of technology has encouraged its potential application to address complex problems in agriculture, such as plant disease and pest recognition.

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Funding future tech: nasa names 2024 innovative concept studies.

Roxana Bardan

Nasa headquarters.

NASA selected the 2024 Phase I awardees for its program to fund ideas that could  innovate for the benefit of all and transform future agency missions. From proposals to explore low Earth orbit to the stars, the 13 concepts chosen stem from companies and institutions across the United States.

The NIAC ( NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts ) program fosters pioneering ideas by funding early-stage technology concept studies for future consideration and potential commercialization . The combined award is a maximum of $175,000 in grants to evaluate technologies that could enable tomorrow’s space missions.

“The daring missions NASA undertakes for the benefit of humanity all begin as just an idea, and NIAC is responsible for inspiring many of those ideas,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “The Ingenuity helicopter flying on Mars and instruments on the MarCO deep space CubeSats can trace their lineage back to NIAC, proving there is a path from creative idea to mission success. And, while not all these concepts will fly, NASA and our partners worldwide can learn from fresh approaches and may eventually use technologies advanced by NIAC.”

This year’s class will explore sample return from the surface of Venus, fixed-wing flight on Mars, a swarm of probes traveling across interstellar space, and more. All NIAC studies are in the early stages of conceptual development and are not considered official NASA missions. 

Ge-Cheng Zha, Coflow Jet LLC in Florida, proposed flying the first fixed-wing, electric vertical takeoff, and landing craft on Mars . The vehicle nicknamed “MAGGIE,” could extend humanity’s ability to explore and conduct science on the Red Planet. 

Thomas Eubanks, Space Initiatives Inc. in Florida, believes a swarm of tiny spacecraft could travel to Proxima Centauri this century, sending back data about the Sun’s nearest interstellar neighbor using a novel laser sailcraft and laser communications.

Geoff Landis, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, proposed a spacecraft that can not only survive Venus’ harsh environment but return a sample from the surface using innovations in high-temperature technology and solar aircraft. 

“The diversity of this year’s Phase I projects – from quantum sensors observing Earth’s atmosphere to a coordinated swarm of spacecraft communicating from the next star – is a testament to the truly innovative community reached by NIAC,” said Mike LaPointe, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The NIAC awards highlight NASA’s commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Using their NIAC grants, the researchers, known as fellows, will investigate the fundamental premise of their concepts, roadmap necessary technology development, identify potential challenges, and look for opportunities to bring these concepts to life.

In addition to the projects mentioned above, the other selectees to receive 2024 NIAC Phase I grants are:

• Steven Benner, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, Florida: Add-on to Large-scale Water Mining Operations on Mars to Screen for Introduced and Alien Life
• James Bickford, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Massachusetts: Thin Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket
• Peter Cabauy, City Labs, Inc., Florida: Autonomous Tritium Micropowered Sensors
• Kenneth Carpenter, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland: A Lunar Long-Baseline Optical Imaging Interferometer: Artemis-enabled Stellar Image
• Matthew McQuinn, University of Washington, Seattle: Solar System-Scale VLBI to Dramatically Improve Cosmological Distance Measurements
• Aaswath Pattabhi Raman, University of California, Los Angeles: Electro-Luminescently Cooled Zero-Boil-Off Propellant Depots Enabling Crewed Exploration of Mars 
• Alvaro Romeo-Calvo, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta: Magnetohydrodynamic Drive for Hydrogen and Oxygen Production in Mars Transfer
• Lynn Rothschild, NASA’s Ames Research Center, California’s Silicon Valley: Detoxifying Mars: The Biocatalytic Elimination of Omnipresent Perchlorates
• Ryan Sprenger, Fauna Bio Inc., California: A revolutionary approach to interplanetary space travel: Studying Torpor in Animals for Space-health in Humans
• Beijia Zhang, MIT’s Lincoln Lab, Massachusetts: LIFA: Lightweight Fiber-based Antenna for Small Sat-Compatible Radiometry

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the NIAC program, as it is responsible for developing the agency’s new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities to achieve its current and future missions.

To learn more about NIAC, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/niac

Jimi Russell Headquarters, Washington 216-704-2412 [email protected]

Related Terms

• Glenn Research Center
• Ames Research Center
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
• Space Technology Mission Directorate

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