The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is known for having produced some of the most forward-thinking innovators and companies. With their finger on the pulse of the times since 1861, they have not only prepared their students for tomorrow’s world and helped companies such as Dropbox, HP, iRobot and Qualcomm along the way, they have always been quick to spot the signs of change and incorporate the emerging changes into their curriculum.
This makes it all the more exciting to realize that, together with futurist Andrew Winston, they have now published a list of megatrends that will fundamentally shape our world in the next decade. Here is a selection of the trends described:
1. Demographic change
Demographic change is an integral part of every consideration. By 2030, more than one billion people will be over 65 years old. However, these population groups are often still very active and demand a new type of services and entertainment. The megatrend thus brings completely new challenges for many industries, but also opportunities to do justice to the so-called silver agers.
2. Urbanization
The urbanization I have already covered in a previous article, but MIT also confirms that the attraction of cities to people will not diminish in the next decade. By 2030, it is predicted, up to two thirds of the world will live in cities. This will require new infrastructure for city centres that are already exploding today, but also new and intelligent solutions for rural areas and agriculture.
3. Data transparency
Data is the new oil, as they say. But by 2030 the amount of data we have on the planet and produce daily will increase immeasurably. Individual data records on every company, every product and also every person will open up a range of new possibilities – for better or for worse. individualization and data-centered work will be transformed from a USP to a must and society needs transparency in the handling of its data. Data security and one’s own data sovereignty will therefore have to play an important role in the next decade.
4. Climate and resource change
Not only since Fridays for Future has it been known that our climate has changed increasingly. New weather conditions and changes on our planet require a rethinking and consciousness for our own processes. It is about more than short-term activities, the next decade needs long-term efforts, which often can be well reconciled with economic aspects.
Not only the climate is changing, but also our resource base is changing in line with current movements and technological innovations. While water will continue to be a valuable commodity, resources such as lithium must also be considered in future considerations, as they are a central component of technology, especially in the case of electromobility.
5. new technologies
With issues such as connectivity and the use of data, technologies are also taking a huge step forward. Be it KI or the use of immersive media, such as Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality, in everyday life. The world in ten years time will be a different one than the one we currently know.
The changes in climate and resources described under point 5 also make new technologies necessary. A central topic will be “clean” technologies, which will make our networked infrastructure more efficient in an environmentally centred and resource-saving way.
All these trends are intertwined, complement each other and make some of the megatrends necessary in the first place. In order to actively shape the world of tomorrow, we need to raise awareness of the overall picture of the future and the megatrends listed here.
A rethinking of traditional entrepreneurship and the m
