Technology Futures: Projecting the Possible, Navigating What’s Next

The report argues that technological progress follows an accelerating exponential function and can be analyzed through three enduring layers: interaction, information, and computation. It introduces the LEnS framework to filter these trends into probable and possible future scenarios. Key projections include the rise of a 'liquid workforce', the growth of clean energy, the potential for a VR-enabled Metaverse, and a shift toward competency-based, lifelong learning. The document concludes that the future of technology is converging toward 'simplicity' in interaction, 'abundance' in computation, and 'intelligence' in information.

• Technological progress is characterized by an accelerating tempo, where the duration of waves of change is shrinking over time, following an exponential function.
• The history and future of information technology are structured around three consistent layers: interaction, information, and computation.
• Data generation is increasing rapidly; worldwide daily data production was 2.5 quintillion bytes in 2020 and is estimated to reach 463 exabytes per day by 2025.
• The workplace is shifting toward a 'liquid workforce' model, characterized by a move away from traditional 9-to-5 careers toward flexible, gig-based employment.
• While fossil fuel consumption rose by 9% globally over the last decade, clean energy and low-carbon sources are seeing increased commercial viability and consumer adoption.
• The future of locality may diverge into two extremes: a virtual revolution (such as a VR-enabled Metaverse) or a physical resurgence emphasizing in-person socialization and nature.
• Education is shifting toward 'gig learning' and lifelong learning, with a projected increase in 'nanodegrees' and competency-based hiring over traditional tertiary degrees.
• The report projects that the 'endgames' of technology will be the achievement of simplicity in interaction, abundance in computation, and intelligence in information.

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). Technology Futures: Projecting the Possible, Navigating What’s Next. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Technology_Futures_GTGS_2021.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Technology Futures: Projecting the Possible, Navigating What’s Next. 2021. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Technology_Futures_GTGS_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Technology Futures: Projecting the Possible, Navigating What’s Next |date=April 2021 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Technology_Futures_GTGS_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021technology, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Technology Futures: Projecting the Possible, Navigating What’s Next}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Technology_Futures_GTGS_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }