How are emerging technologies reforming the world?

18.08.2023

New technologies work as double-edged swords; they are unfolding two parallel worlds at the same time: good and bad. Every time a new technology emerges, it can be used for both good and bad intentions. We need to use foresight to scan alternative scenarios so that we are well prepared for the future.

Altogether, nine cybersecurity and foresight professionals were interviewed to identify key emerging technologies and their impacts. Professionals identified several technologies that should be focused on.

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Quantum computing
  • Mobile communications and 5G/6G
  • Synthetic biology and material technology
  • Space technologies and infrastructure
  • Digitalization, automatization and datafication

Additionally, there are other general observations related to technological development.

We are those who choose how to the future unfolds

How long is the path from sustainability to emerging technology? It seems that technology developers need to consider sustainability even more. We are already heading towards the edge of the limits of our raw materials that are required for these technologies. There is a question as to whether we are speed-blinded and not solving the right problems with the chosen technologies. It seems that we are unable to keep up with the kind of society where we are currently living. Raw materials are already creating geopolitical tensions, so we need to consider alternative materials and enable circular economy.

Technology itself is not an obstacle to its development

5G and 6G are reforming the cityscape. Do we want to create a cityscape covered with devices and antennas to enable faster transmission of data? Technologically it would be possible, but is that an environment where we want to live in?

Trust and transparency are key values that needs to be core values. Enabling people to see the source code of new technologies and transparently presenting what they are used for are necessary. As artificial intelligence takes on automated decision-making roles, consumers must demand insight into the rationale behind these decisions. Trust underpins the adoption of these technologies, raising the question: do we take trust for granted when we are surrounded by data-collecting IoT devices?

We need to act

To mitigate the potential risks of emerging technologies, we must act proactive. First, synthetic biology can alter how humans are identified. Fingerprints and irises will not be a secure identification method in the future. This should be considered when using multifactor authentication (MFA). Quantum computers are destroying current cryptographic algorithms. There are already some quantum secure algorithms, but we should start using them before quantum computers reach their full potential.

Finally, I encourage companies to think about the future and start increasing their resilience to face it. When sustainability seems like a far-fetched theme related to ICT, it will work as a great hindrance that we cannot bypass. The change starts from small actions that evaporate as great impacts that will reform the world to a more favorable one for everyone.

Refences:

Voutilainen, J. (2023). Foresight in Emerging Technologies: Opportunities and Threats. Turun ammattikorkeakoulu, master’s thesis in cyber security