At Catapult, we are proud to have contributed to the development of the 2024 Trend Report, a collaborative effort led by VTT. Our role in this project involved leveraging our expertise in research and consultancy to provide valuable insights and analysis.
We participated in thematic qualitative analysis, comprehensive reviews of diverse information sources, and collaborative discussions and evaluations.
This partnership has allowed us to contribute to a forward-thinking report that highlights the importance of resilience in today’s rapidly changing world. We are excited to share these findings and help shape a resilient and sustainable future.
“Throughout this report, we encourage you to reflect on the interplay between its themes, seeing how resilience acts as a guiding light in restless times, how global events frame our collective experiences, and how technology can be our ally in building a resilient society. We hope you will take a moment and think about what all this might mean”
The past few years have been marked by significant environmental and societal crises driven by geopolitical and economic trends. As global stability and security decline, nations are becoming more insular and focused on nationalistic agendas. This shift is eroding social cohesion and increasing societal polarisation, which leads to more civil unrest and hampers effective governance.
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change, are rising. Events such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts pose immediate and long-term threats to societal safety, straining emergency response systems and complicating recovery efforts.
In our increasingly digital world, cybercrime and cybersecurity have emerged as major threats, targeting critical infrastructure like power grids, water supplies, and healthcare systems. Ensuring the security of this infrastructure and data is crucial, especially during emergencies, necessitating robust digital resilience.
To navigate these uncertainties and threats, societies are increasingly relying on technology. Innovations like sensors to predict and prevent natural disasters, drones to protect humans and the environment, and satellite communications to provide high-speed internet access in remote areas are enhancing our ability to respond to crises.
While technology and innovation are critical, a fundamental shift towards proactive resilience is essential. Resilient societies must anticipate disruptions, react effectively, and learn from past crises to better prepare for future uncertainties.
The new intelligence era marks a transformative phase in technological development, characterised by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, machine learning, and expansive data networks. This megatrend represents a significant shift in the global technological landscape, driven by the capabilities of these advanced systems to simulate and enhance human cognitive functions.
In this era, AI emerges not only as a tool but also as a fundamental driver of innovation, influencing everything from business models to political strategies. The integration of AI across various sectors is revolutionising established methodologies, enhancing operational efficiency, and redefining problem-solving paradigms by offering in-depth insights from vast amounts of data.
Quantum computing, with its remarkable processing power, is poised to revolutionise fields such as cryptography, material science, and complex system modeling, potentially transforming the foundations of security and scientific exploration. Additionally, increasingly sophisticated algorithms and microchips enable systems to learn and adapt in ways previously limited to human cognition.
However, this megatrend also brings unique challenges. The widespread adoption of these technologies raises critical questions about data privacy and ethics. It is crucial for global leaders and policymakers to foster a balanced approach that powers innovation while mitigating risks. This involves crafting policies that encourage technological advancement while safeguarding data equity.
Moreover, these technologies are reshaping the labor market, automating tasks that currently occupy a significant portion of employees’ time. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of skills and education systems to prepare societies for new types of jobs and challenges.
Ultimately, the new intelligence era offers an opportunity to harness unprecedented levels of intelligence and computational power. If navigated wisely, it can lead to a future where technology amplifies human potential and addresses some of the most pressing challenges of our time. However, a superficial approach may exacerbate societal tensions, decrease digital trust, and hinder transparent decision-making.
Amidst mounting concerns over sustainability, a transformative shift in material usage is underway. IPCC’s latest reports emphasise the urgent need for regenerative practices in response to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Our material use has more than tripled over the last 50 years, predominantly driven by excessive consumption in high-income countries. The Circular Economy Action Agenda calls for cutting our material footprint and alleviating strain on Earth’s resources, highlighting that over 90% of materials are wasted or lost due to inefficient use.
Continuing current trends could lead to a 60% increase in resource extraction by 2060, exacerbating inequality in material distribution. To combat this, systemic changes are imperative. Transitioning from linear ‘take-make-waste’ supply chains to circular economies is crucial. This involves eliminating waste and pollution, promoting product and material circulation, and regenerating natural systems.
Industries are increasingly integrating circularity into their strategies, fostering collaboration across sectors. Innovations in bio-inspired design, regenerative agriculture, and modular construction are paving the way for more sustainable value chains and climate management solutions.
Bioeconomy, leveraging renewable biological resources for energy, materials, and food production, plays a pivotal role in sustainability transitions. Platforms like VTT Bioruukki are advancing bio-based products and recycled materials, addressing challenges from waste recycling to sustainable chemicals and packaging materials.
Despite technological advancements and growing market demand, challenges in scalability, supply chain management, and regulatory frameworks remain. Addressing these will be essential to fully realizing the potential of bio-based solutions in achieving sustainable development goals.
AWH extracts water from the air through methods like condensation, sorption, fog collection, and cloud seeding. Each method varies in suitability based on local climate conditions, humidity levels, and energy availability.
AWH holds promise across various sectors including residential, commercial, agricultural, and disaster relief. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional water sources, particularly in regions vulnerable to drought or with inadequate water supply.
With four billion people experiencing severe water scarcity annually, AWH could alleviate dependence on costly water transportation and storage infrastructure. Integrated with renewable energy sources like solar or wind, it presents an environmentally friendly solution to water supply challenges.
Enhancing AWH efficiency remains a priority, requiring further technological advancements and operational optimizations to maximize its impact in water-stressed regions worldwide.
Check out how we helped Kemijoki gain a deeper understanding on Energy Storage Systems (ESS) & eventually finding a solution for their needs.
In an era shaped by global challenges like social inequalities, pandemics, and climate change, connectivity emerges as a pivotal megatrend facilitating cross-border innovation and collaboration. Technologies bridging the digital-physical divide, such as Extended Reality (XR), the metaverse, and digital twins, play critical roles in reshaping interactions and enhancing operational efficiencies across sectors.
Our material use has more than tripled over the last 50 years, predominantly driven by excessive consumption in high-income countries. The Circular Economy Action Agenda calls for cutting our material footprint and alleviating strain on Earth’s resources, highlighting that over 90% of materials are wasted or lost due to inefficient use.
XR blends virtual and real worlds, offering immersive experiences that redefine education, entertainment, and professional training. These technologies enable realistic simulations that are otherwise costly or impractical in the physical realm, fostering skill development and engagement.
The metaverse converges physical and digital realities into a 3D platform, unlocking new possibilities in collaboration, entertainment, and business interactions. It introduces innovative models for creating, trading, and monetizing virtual assets, with projections suggesting its economic value could soar to USD 4-5 trillion by 2030.
The industrial metaverse integrates digital and physical realms within industries, enabling real-time collaboration, AI-driven problem-solving, and enhanced data analytics across diverse domains. This interconnected system not only boosts efficiency but also addresses environmental and social impacts associated with industrial processes.
Bio-responsive VR utilizes physiological data like heart rate and brain activity to adapt virtual environments in real-time. This technology enhances immersion by responding dynamically to users’ emotional and cognitive states, offering personalized experiences in entertainment, gaming, education, and healthcare.
Bio-responsive VR and the metaverse promise transformative impacts on human interaction and experience. While enhancing engagement and effectiveness, widespread adoption hinges on technological advancements and addressing privacy concerns. Ongoing research and development are critical to fully realising their potential across various applications.
Global healthcare is undergoing profound transformation driven by technological innovation, data revolution, demographic shifts, and the growing demand for personalized, holistic care. With the global population of individuals over 65 set to double by 2050, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to ensure comprehensive and individualized health solutions.
Significant progress has been made in global health indicators, including reduced child and maternal mortality rates, as well as declines in infectious diseases like malaria. These improvements have contributed to an increase in global life expectancy from 67 years in 2000 to 73 years in 2019.
The digital health boom, marked by telemedicine, remote monitoring, and wearable technologies, is reshaping healthcare delivery. Technologies like wearables and smart patches enable continuous health monitoring and personalized data tracking, enhancing both accessibility and quality of care.
AI-driven diagnostics, blockchain, and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are poised to revolutionize health data management and diagnostics, paving the way for predictive analytics, pandemic preparedness, and precision health. These technologies promise to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and resilient in addressing global challenges.
Flexible electronics, including bendable sensors integrated into wearable devices, enable continuous monitoring and personalized health tracking. These technologies are crucial for advancing holistic and preemptive healthcare approaches, supporting sustainability through renewable materials and efficient manufacturing techniques.
VTT’s roll-to-roll manufacturing method facilitates the production of adaptive flexible electronics, enhancing comfort and usability in wearable healthcare devices. Examples include smart clothes measuring breathing patterns, biodegradable ECG patches, and smart tattoos monitoring biomarkers like cortisol and lactate from sweat.
BCI technology allows direct communication between the brain and external devices, enabling control through neural signals. It has transformative potential in healthcare, from enhancing mobility for individuals with disabilities to augmenting cognitive functions and enabling immersive virtual experiences.
While BCI technologies promise revolutionary benefits, their integration requires interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous testing to ensure safety, accuracy, and user acceptance. Overcoming these challenges could unlock new possibilities in healthcare and human-computer interaction.
Tanja Honkala, Krista Kovanen and Linnea Sinkkilä from VTT’s Business Intelligence team.
Mikael Juntunen from Catapult
The collection of researches in various industries and verticals is crafted by our in-house business thinkers, data analysts and growth hackers.
