McKinsey recently released a long report titled “Disruptive technologies: Advances that will transform life, business, and the global economy.” The report covers 12 technologies:
- Mobile internet
- Automation of knowledge work
- The Internet of things
- Cloud technology
- Advanced robotics
- Autonomous and near-autonomous vehicles
- Next-generation genomics
- Energy storage
- 3D printing
- Advanced materials
- Advanced oil and gas exploration and recovery
- Renewable energy
To make the list, each of the technologies scored well on four criteria:
- The technology is rapidly advancing or experiencing breakthroughs
- The potential scope of impact is broad
- Significant economic value could be affected
- Economic impact is potentially disruptive
The report goes on to estimate the speed of technology improvement (for instance, battery prices for electric cars have fallen by 40% since 2009), the future economic impact (the technologies are listed above in order of decreasing impact) and more. I haven’t spent much time with it yet but thought it was worth posting the link (h/t EconoMonitor / Barry Ritholtz) – the McKinsey reports are always well-done and this one seems to have something for everyone. Plus, it gives me an excuse to empty a file of similar links:
- Interesting developments in low energy nuclear reactors (“cold fusion”). McKinsey considered nuclear fusion more broadly but it didn’t make the list of top 12 technologies. The authors acknowledged its “massive potential,” but added that it’s “even more speculative than next-generation fission in terms of both technological maturity and time frame.”
- Smart rifles that decide when to shoot and rarely miss (and no, this doesn’t link to Q’s workshop) (h/t Marginal Revolution).
- One man submarines at a cost of $2000.
- Wearable technology, from the Google glasses to ties with volume lights to dresses that reshape and more (video).
- And for the other cool stuff, here’s a McDonalds “of the future” in Georgia (h/t EconJeff) and the “coolest earth houses around the world” (h/t Marginal Revolution).
