The constant of escalating disruption has been the most widely predictable aspect of technology trends. For over a decade, Deloitte’s tech futurists have viewed disruption largely through the lens of information technology (IT), which is rooted in formal sciences to support new models that meet new needs in new markets.
However, today, even disruption itself is getting disrupted and leading future-oriented organizations should now look beyond the unexpected disruptions they’ve learned and prepared to expect.
The frontier beyond IT disruption is quickly coming into view. By analyzing factors including patent and startup activity, venture capitalist funding, academic and grant investments, and changes in hiring and talent, Deloitte’s futurists identified a set of emerging technology domains that could rival IT in their disruptive potential. These technologies are collectively known as xTech: SpaceTech, BioTech, NeuroTech ClimateTech EnergyTech RobotTech
Space Technology:
In recent years government agencies have yielded much of their traditional business domain to private companies such as flights & launches with deep space research becoming an area for investment too. Low-Earth orbit (LEO) flights enable organizations to build infrastructure for use on Earth while other areas include habitation supporting earth-based technologies along with resources & regulations.
BioTechnology:
Molecular-scale research has already produced complete sequencing of human genome alongside tissue-engineered therapies. Emerging applications with commercial potential include synthetic biology, genomics and cellular agriculture.
NeuroTechnology:
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) measure & translate brain activity into commands that operate external software or hardware systems to make controlling computers as natural as thinking. NeuroTech’s future has revolutionary potential expanding from restorative, therapeutic & assistive applications to elective placement helping enhance human thought capabilities skills along with enriching daily lives.
RobotTech:
Dexterous intelligent precision robots may play an expanding role in industry, agriculture, medicine alongside marine & space exploration beyond autonomous vehicles such as cars trucks bikes scooters.
ClimateTech:
New climate technology can help organizations prioritize net-zero carbon-emissions policies while making energy more abundant safer or less expensive. Digital technologies like IoT AI big data etc., can help manage energy consumption efficiently by measuring analyzing tracking carbon emissions.
EnergyTech:
The power energy battery technologies mitigate climate change while improving vehicle phone battery life reducing dependence on scarce materials and stabilizing grids for efficient usage.
xTech could soon begin solving fundamental human challenges eventually rivaling even surpassing IT’s influence on business innovation given their growing prominence.
A series of Tech Futures reports will consider these emerging frontiers starting with pioneering advancements in Space Systems Aeronautical Engineering: one of six xtech domains on the cusp of radically shifting your business model workforce needs and growth strategy for decades ahead.
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