The World Ahead Globe Icon
The World Ahead | The World Ahead 2022

What next? 22 emerging technologies to watch in 2022

New ideas can emerge seemingly overnight

By The Science and technology correspondents of The Economist

The astonishingly rapid development and rollout of coronavirus vaccines has been a reminder of the power of science and technology to change the world. Although vaccines based on new mRNA technology seemed to have been created almost instantly, they actually drew upon decades of research going back to the 1970s. As the saying goes in the technology industry, it takes years to create an overnight success. So what else might be about to burst into prominence? Here are 22 emerging technologies worth watching in 2022

Illustration for the world ahead 2025 cover, a circle made up of squares featuring all the themes of the issue

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2025

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation

Illustration for the world ahead 2025 cover, a circle made up of squares featuring all the themes of the issue

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2025

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation


Illustration for the world ahead 2025 cover, a circle made up of squares featuring all the themes of the issue

The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2025

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation


The World Ahead The World Ahead

The World Ahead 2025

Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation

The World Ahead The World Ahead 2025

Ten business trends for 2025, and forecasts for 15 industries

A global round-up from The Economist Intelligence Unit

The World Ahead The year ahead

Calendar 2025

Our selection of events taking place around the world