Visions of 2034 explored at Imperial event

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Timeline of Emerging Science and Technology

The trends, emerging technologies and big ideas of the next two decades were explored by innovators from industry and academia at Imperial this week.

Imperial’s 2034: Tech Foresight event enabled experts to take a long view of technological shifts and emerging challenges, while discussing how scientists, technologists and innovators can shape these trends.

The theoretical limits of materials, smart cities, digital identities and networked science were among the themes covered at the one-day conference for Imperial Business Partners, delivered by Imperial's Foresight Practice and the College’s own experts.

Chris HankinThe programme was designed to prepare the minds of business leaders, industrial scientists and R&D chiefs for where today’s breakthrough lab discoveries will lead. 

During the event, breakout groups – dubbed ‘Futorials’, or tutorials of the future – encouraged debate around the future impact of science-driven innovation on business.

Many drew inspiration from an exhibition of student inventions from the Innovation Design Engineering course: Imperial’s double master’s degree in conjunction with the Royal College of Art. 

Among the 2034: Tech Foresight speakers were:

Influencing change

Professor Debra Humphris, Chair of 2034: Tech Foresight and Vice Provost (Education) at Imperial, said:

“Today’s university-led discoveries will shape new markets, transform industries and affect all of our lives. It is crucial that pioneering institutions like Imperial work with other innovators  across a range of sectors and across the globe to understand and influence these changes.

A Tech Foresighter making a prediction“2034: Tech Foresight gave academics and industrialists a unique opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day and think long term, way beyond our next research projects or quarterly results. This stimulated a diverse range of new ideas and connections, leaving the Foresighters feeling challenged and inspired, and we hope, better prepared for the future.”

Reporter

Andrew Scheuber

Andrew Scheuber
Communications Division

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Contact details

Email: press.office@imperial.ac.uk
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