The early identification of developing science and technology (S&T) is vital in enabling the UK Government to avoid technological surprise and identify and act upon future potential risks and opportunities. S&T development worldwide is accelerating, and research is increasingly located outside Government organisations and programmes. Work was required to underpin the enterprise’s ‘Futures’ activity by the provision of S&T Horizon Scanning and analysis which will augment ongoing work.
Shaping Tomorrow was commissioned to identify and analyse global developments in all S&T disciplines (natural, physical, social and behavioural) globally, with a focus on potential benefits for the UK Defence and Security community. Trends were identified and projected using forecasting principles.
Trends were selected based on whether they could lead to significant change, challenge accepted norms, amplify existing signals or trends, impact multiple fields, test the UK's existing capabilities or possess disruptive potential.
Shaping Tomorrow was commissioned to identify and analyse global developments in all S&T disciplines (natural, physical, social and behavioural) globally, with a focus on potential benefits for the UK Defence and Security community. Trends were identified and projected using forecasting principles.
Trends were selected based on whether they could lead to significant change, challenge accepted norms, amplify existing signals or trends, impact multiple fields, test the UK's existing capabilities or possess disruptive potential.