Frontier technology trends

This annex presents the status of key frontier technologies in detail to help analyse their impact on sustainable development. Frontier technologies present economic and social opportunities as well as challenges, so their key features and status need to be well understood. This annex covers relevant technical and commercial aspects such as R&D, prices and market structure. The developments in frontier technologies have been so rapid that this attempt can only serve as a snapshot, but it can still offer a good starting point to discuss their effects on society. Among various frontier technologies, 17 are covered in this annex: AI, IoT, big data, blockchain, 5G, 3D printing, robotics, drones, gene editing, nanotechnology, solar PV, concentrated solar power, biofuels, biomass and biogas, wind energy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Climate Action

Partnerships for the Goals