In the coming decades, developments and breakthroughs in the field of engineering are expected that may change the current technological and social paradigms.
The question is, in which areas can the greatest progress be expected?
Based on the research results and the opinions of the engineers, three key areas stand out: medical engineering solutions and biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy sources and sustainability.
Medical engineering solutions and biotechnology
Medical engineering solutions and biotechnology can transform the future of healing and healthcare. Genetic research, personalized medicine and new therapeutic solutions all promise revolutionary changes in the field of healthcare. These developments provide the opportunity for early detection and targeted treatment of diseases, as well as genetic-based healing, which can offer unique and effective solutions for patients.
Only 8% of the interviewed engineering group thought that this area would be the biggest breakthrough. This is in sharp contrast to the opinion of our other respondents, almost half of whom (44%-a) thought that breakthroughs in medical engineering solutions and biotechnology could have the most serious impact on our lives in the next decade.
However, medical engineering solutions and biotechnology stand out as an area where technological innovations can create new paradigms for disease treatment and healing processes, which can lead to significant advances in healthcare in the long term.
Artificial Intelligence
39% of the respondents (and also according to many experts) believe that the most dynamic development is expected in the field of artificial intelligence in the next decade. Research related to the applications of AI is not only aimed at the development of self-driving vehicles, but can also bring about revolutionary changes in many other areas of the economy.
Half of the engineers (50%) unanimously claim that breakthroughs in the field of AI can bring not only technological changes, but also significant social and economic transformations. The appearance of autonomous vehicles, for example, can not only trigger significant changes in the transport sector, but the new business models and services that come with it can also shape urban infrastructure and quality of life. AI can make industrial processes more efficient, facilitate individual personalized services and create new jobs in technological development.
In addition, the rise of AI will be felt in many areas of everyday life, from household appliances to the entertainment industry. By creating smart cities and automating homes, AI can contribute to energy saving and sustainable urban development. AI-driven innovations are therefore not only technological marvels, but also factors that can shape our societies and economies in the coming decades.
Renewable energy sources and sustainability
In response to the challenges of climate change, significant progress is also expected in the field of renewable energy sources and sustainability, according to 17% of our voters. Innovations in this area can make the utilization of solar and wind energy more targeted and efficient. Due to the growing demand for sustainability, new energy models and green technologies are expected to appear in the coming decades.
In response to the global challenges of climate change, significant progress can be expected in the field of renewable energy sources and sustainability, as expressed by 17% of our voters and 42% of our engineer voters. In the coming decades, the growing demand for sustainability and the urgent problem of climate change will accelerate innovations in this area. These can make the utilization of solar and wind energy, which are already one of the most promising renewable energy sources, more targeted and efficient.
New energy models and green technologies are expected to emerge as a response to the growing demand for sustainability and climate change. These may include smart grids, energy-efficient buildings and cities, and environmentally friendly transport solutions. Innovations in the energy sector are aimed not only at mitigating the effects of climate change, but also at increasing the performance of energy systems and promoting sustainable development.
This process is not only important from the point of view of environmental protection, but also creates economic opportunities, since the development of new technologies and green solutions can create new industries and create jobs. Advances in the field of renewable energy sources and sustainability can therefore not only serve as an answer to the challenges of climate change, but can also play a decisive role in the transformation of the energy sector in the coming decades.
In the coming decade, science is likely to see simultaneous advances in these areas, and together these developments can contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future.