The Megatrends of this Decade

Oct 16, 2022

Hello from London!

How do we keep up to speed with the latest trends? Part of my monitoring de facto approach is to look through the lens of technology and what is changing. I do this through a number of newsletters and news sources to bring you what I think is important, especially in the technology sphere. I'm glad that Emerging Tech Brew has sponsored this edition of Box of Amazing - and I recommend that you sign up for the 3 times a week coverage of tech news. Last week I recommended Morning Brew. This is similar but squarely focused on Emerging Technology.

And trends is a subject I want to touch on today. Longtime readers of Box of Amazing will know that I compile the emerging tech trends for the forthcoming year every year. It's never 100% right, but it shows signal of what might take shape and what's potentially earlier on the Gartner curve of technology adoption. As we enter the tail end of the year, I watch out for these trends and predictions for 2023 and try to decipher between the analytical data and the content marketing. But sometimes it's worth taking more of a helicopter view to make sure we remember what the megatrends are, the societal ones that underlie all that is happening. My megatrend thoughts surround the following:

Massive population growth in Asia & Africa. The centre of gravity of the world is shifting towards these two continents, with India surpassing China, and Nigeria growing the fastest amongst all countries. This growth will lead to population density, leading to a larger requirement for animals reared for food. This will lead to more viruses, jumping to humans and thus more pandemics. Focus on large countries. Focus on health.
Climate Change. There will be changes across the world to deal with mass population - more houses, more migration - but also the underlying issues around climate catastrophe will continue. There will be resource scarcity as well as physical and economical damage as a result of escalating changes in climate. Expect more migration, expect more costs associated with protection and repair, and expect more investment in trying to fix the problem.
Population Shift. We will soon start to see large numbers of people start to retire - which is an opportunity in itself. But that means that equality will start to catch up with more females in leadership positions and we will start to see Digital Natives leading even more of the largest companies in the world.
Ongoing Technology Disruption. We have already seen the escalation of use of technology in our day to day lives, but consumers will want want seamless experiences that are better than those that are analogue. AI and robots may become prominent, but this needs to provide a world exponentially better to what we have had.
End of Capitalism. We will see ongoing shifts in control, control of borders, use of technology, larger nation states. So how do we create a new stage of capitalism? The war in Ukraine is only one example of what's bubbling.
Mass reskilling. Lifelong learning will become a status quo. Given the real push to a knowledge economy, it is critical that we constantly pick up new skills. It's why I look back annually to see how I have upped my own game.

You'll have your own views of the megatrends, the ones that will dominate our society as we know it. Whatever of however you think of them - think about how they will form part of your life and career journey. Actually you should look at each of these (or the ones you choose) and look back to how things were 5 to 10 years back - and then project forward. Read the experts who are predicting life in 2030, 40, 50 - and figure out how you are going to fit in.

No doubt you will be asked about your thoughts on specific reasons for changes in a specific market or a trend - as I was. Sometimes the answer is a combination of escalating megatrends. Don't ignore them.

Stay Curious,

Onward! - Rahim

PS. If you want to stay ahead of tech, don't forget to sign up for Emerging Tech Brew.