Conference Presentation, Fireside Chat, Panel, Roundtable
Trends Shaping Technology, Business and Society
Milken InstituteRory Cellan-Jones, Jo Bertram, Brent Hoberman, Colin le Duc, Ed Vaizey, Vojtek, Robert Jurkowski, Hania Sadat
- Radical technology trends are projected to provide an optimistic view of the next five years, with the concept of mobility expected to transform from a personal asset to a service accessible via smartphone.
- The automotive industry is predicted to undergo a fundamental shift where private car ownership ends by 2020 in favor of summoned vehicle fleets, with electric vehicle sales anticipated to exceed 50% of the market by 2025 compared to 1% currently.
- Self-driving vehicles are expected to fill cities within the next 10 years, with London already experiencing a mode where a car can be summoned in three minutes, though significant development time remains.
- Governments are expected to act prescriptively, including banning diesels from central London and investing in infrastructure such as charging points in street lights, while aiming to remove bureaucratic hurdles.
- A digital strategy is expected to be published by the UK government before the end of this year, focusing on leadership areas like AI and cybersecurity, with an emphasis on cheerleading and signaling commitment.
- Automation and incubated companies are expected to lead to cost savings or job transformation, with self-driving vehicles designed to charge themselves to ensure continuous passenger transport.
- Blockchain solutions are expected to be implemented soon following rollout by Aviva, alongside AI and virtual reality initiatives expected to reduce complexity and lower costs for consumers.
- Investment is expected to flow into sustainability challenges such as clean energy, clean food, and new mobility systems, driven by cleaner technologies becoming superior products independent of policy support.
- Adoption of clean technologies is expected to accelerate now that price thresholds for solar panels and LEDs have been reached, though oil prices are predicted to remain volatile while renewable energy costs stay predictable.
- A global war for talent is expected to define the tech sector, with the UK needing to regain momentum and maintain frictionless visa systems to access European skills.
- The oil and gas sector faces challenges with diesel sales expected to drop significantly following the Dieselgate scandal, driving a massive uptick in electric vehicle sales.
- Alternative protein sources, including GM options, are expected to enable a mass transition to a meat-free, plant-based diet by 2020, supported by a confluence of clean and digital financial technologies.
- Aging is expected to become optional soon, potentially enabling people to live until 120, though the end of linear live television is also anticipated to reach a tipping point.
- New jobs are expected to be created through human ingenuity in areas such as cleaning, replacing, and maintaining vehicles, balancing the risk of technology's economic stake shrinking to create less rewarding work.
- The transition to a clean economy in regions like California and New York is expected to continue regardless of the U.S. federal government's stance on the Paris Agreement.
- Technology innovation is expected to enable entirely new business models through the confluence of clean technologies and digital/financial technology, particularly in a low-growth world with low interest rates.
- Health advancements are expected through big data analysis, including great advances in health cures, while governments are expected to continue using technology to crush bureaucratic hurdles.
- Self-driving technology innovation is expected to begin with government-led initiatives such as testing truck convoys, with almost every UK petrol station effectively becoming an electric charging station in 10 years.
- Mobility solutions are expected to vary by city, with some Southeast Asian cities focusing on two-wheelers rather than individual cars.
- The UK tech industry faces a threat regarding Brexit access to talent, with the ability to access the skills of 500 million people in Europe considered vital for success and retaining major investors like Google.