Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies 2011

Emerging technologies are critical to building a sustainable and resilient future. But without new understanding, tools and capabilities, their safe and successful development is far from guaranteed.

Over the past 20 years, accelerating progress in science and technology has stimulated a new age of discovery. Innovation in nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology is leading to solutions to such pressing challenges as renewable energy sources, malnutrition and hunger, access to clean water, disease diagnosis and treatment, “green” technologies and global climate change and sustainability.

Yet emerging technologies face complex social, political, economic and safety challenges if they are to succeed. In an ever-more complex, interconnected and risk-aware world, realizing their potential depends on identifying barriers to development, enabling responsive and responsible innovation, and forging new partnerships between governments, industry, academics and the public sector.