Future of Education, Gender and Work
Lost ground on boards, sex doesn’t sell and other top gender stories of the week
Also in this week's round-up of the gender news: term 'genius' alienates women and the Wonder Woman Effect.
Agenda
The stories shaping the Global, Regional and Industry agendas
Global Agenda
Employment and Skills
The global economy will be $16 trillion bigger by 2030 thanks to AI
It's widely accepted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a huge impact on our lives in the coming decades - but what's its value to the global economy?
Environment
How the US and China compare on action against climate change
As the United States withdraws from the Paris accord, a look at how the world’s top two polluters are faring on climate change action.
Cybercrime
What nature teaches us about managing risk
How do we keep ourselves and our data safe in an increasingly interconnected world? The answers may be closer than we think, based on hints from the natural world.
Inclusive Growth
Four key questions for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
It is in our hands to ensure that the potentially disruptive shifts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution not only herald a change of guard in the highest echelons of the global economy, but also rebalance opportunities and outcomes across geographic, generational and gender boundaries.
Environment
9 lessons from the world's Blue Zones on living a long, healthy life
Besides having a large percentage of people that live to 100, the aging population in these places remains active well into their 80 and 90s, and typically do not suffer the degenerative diseases common in most of the industrialized world.
Digital
Lessons from the latest wave of cyber-attacks
How can we, as a society, as a government, as a global consumer, help prevent, mitigate, respond, and recover from these potentially catastrophic events with as little loss as possible?
Science & Technology
These are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2017
A diverse range of breakthrough technologies, including “artificial leaves” that turn CO2 into fuel, and a technique that harvests water from air, could soon be playing a role in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
Environment
From smog diamonds to algae street-lights. This man is designing a cleaner, greener, brighter future
His ‘Smog-Free Tower’ made headlines for turning pollution into diamonds. Now, Daan Roosegaarde wants to use bioluminescent algae to light up our world. We spoke to the designer about some of his most eye-catching projects.
Regional Agenda
China
How China's high-tech boom can help global health
From drones ferrying blood transfusions to coolers for the Ebola vaccine, Chinese companies will play an increasing role in global healthcare.
Economy
Chinese shoppers will add a new Germany to the global economy by 2021
China's overall GDP growth may be slowing, but its consumer economy is still growing - and growing fast.
Human implications of digital media
China's mobile economy, explained
China's Singles' Day is the world’s largest online shopping day, beating Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.
Environment
Nature-inspired design: how the Amazon can help us solve humanity's greatest challenges
Biological systems in the Amazon are the result of millions of years of evolution. Emulating its natural processes could give rise to a myriad of urgently needed sustainable technologies.
Digital
Why you should consider betting on emerging markets' tech companies
There are huge opportunities to build out first-generation digital infrastructure and services
China
China doesn't have leftover women. It has leftover men
We should encourage women to raise their self-awareness rather than blindly getting married, so that they can define their own happiness and pursue the lifestyles they favor.
Human implications of digital media
How universal internet access could reboot South Africa
Forty-eight percent of South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 are unemployed. Closing the digital divide is an essential step to helping them find jobs.
Employment and Skills
5 key ways the Middle East can master people-centered tech
To capitalize on the opportunities these trends offer, organizations must create a technology approach that works with people and for people.
Environment
Millions of Africans depend on fishing. We must stop the plunder of their oceans
Illegal fishing is responsible for the loss of $1.3 billion a year in West Africa alone – but a new agreement on international fisheries transparency standards could help put a stop to th...
Industry Agenda
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
5 trends for the future of manufacturing
From the rise of the robots to Augmented Reality glasses.
Emerging Technologies
It’s time to think differently about cyber security
Forward-looking companies are thinking not only about how criminals can gain access to networks, but also what they do when they’re inside.
Future of Enterprise
Why robots should inspire hope, not fear
Combining human brainpower with artificial intelligence, virtual reality and automatization will revolutionize how we work.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
How a new generation of machines will ‘see’ like humans
Machines that don’t just see, but sense and interact with the environment around them, could end blindness and help us to build accident-free autonomous vehicles.
Future of the Internet
Six ways to spot a cyber security risk before it explodes
Cybersecurity is a microcosm of the human tendency to disregard a threat that is not immediate. This needs to change.
Advanced Materials
How a ‘materials lag’ slows product innovation – and how AI can solve it
Artificial Intelligence promises to propel the next generation of products. Here’s how.
Finance
The rise of ‘RegTech’ and why it's the next big thing in banking
Two-and-a-half billion people around the world are without access to basic financial services. Recently, that tide has started to turn. And with the rise of RegTech, it’s about to turn fu...
Work
More efficient and safer – how drones are changing the workplace
Workers can come out on top in the technology revolution by focusing on improving relevant digital skills.
Employment and Skills
How new technologies can create huge numbers of meaningful jobs
Technology has the potential to eliminate entire industries. But it also continues to create opportunities for employers and employees alike.
