To permit timely identification of changes that will impact upon the world of work, institutes of higher education, schools and children’s daycare centres, the Risk Observatory continuously monitors online media and literature in search of new trends.
The outcome of this trend search activity is the collection of trends. The collection is updated at regular intervals and is also available for download (as PDF file). All trends identified are assigned to trend categories. The current survey round covers ten such categories, each with a different number of individual trends:
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Digital transformation and connectivity
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Big data (incl. real-time data, predictive analytics)
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Cloud computing
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Edge computing (resource-efficient decentralized processing of data streams)
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Distributed ledger technology (e.g. blockchain)
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Cryptocurrencies
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Cybercrime
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Open data and open APIs (application programming interfaces)
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Detection and control by thoughts, gestures, facial expressions, speech (touchless tech)
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Fake news, disinformation, manipulation
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Geofencing (virtual geographical boundaries that trigger actions when crossed)
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Smart dust (cloud of networked computers the size of dust particles)
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Smart technologies (e.g. smart home, smart city, smart textiles, smart implants)
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Wearables
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Networked automation (Internet of Things, Industry x.0)
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Robotization (including collaborative robots)
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Artificial intelligence
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Neuromorphic hardware (computer architectures that are modelled on the morphology of neural networks in order to increase performance)
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New technologies
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Quantum technologies (e.g. quantum computing/simulation/sensors/communication)
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Digital models for visualization (e.g. simulations, digital twins, 3D models)
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3D displays (volumetric displays)
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Photonic technologies (e.g. for biomedical microscopy/imaging)
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Bionics (transfer of natural phenomena to technology)
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Augmented and virtual reality (including involving haptics)
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Metaverse (digital, three-dimensional Internet based on virtual reality, in which people can interact with each other as avatars)
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Sensors and (ultra-sensitive) detectors
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Air purification technologies (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, CO2 granulate)
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Space exploration technologies
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Resistant memory chips (resistance to extreme heat and ionizing radiation)
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Synthetic biology (synthetic production of new biological organisms/systems not present in nature)
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Molecular farming
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New battery types (rechargeable and non-rechargeable)
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Programmable materials (i.e. with integral functionalities: materials with adjustable properties, such as permeability, conductivity, hardness, density, size)
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New types of semiconductor (2D materials, miniaturization)
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Lightweight construction (aluminium, fibre composite and hybrid materials, magnesium, titanium, high-strength steels, metal foam and powder)
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Globalization
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National self-interest and protectionism in Europe (democratic values, solidarity, collaboration, the economy, social affairs, security, etc.)
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Rearmament and the European Defence Union
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Changing world order and international relations
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Global migration
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Harmonized standards and certification at international level
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Migration of pathogens (pandemics)
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The economy
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Inflation
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The training sector (coaching, tutoring, edutainment)
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Supply Chain legislation
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Omni-channelling
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Crowdworking, crowdfunding, crowdinvesting, crowdtesting, crowdthinking
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Hybridization of retail (brick-and-mortar and online)
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Platform economy
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Solo self-employment
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Voluntary work/volunteering
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Monopolization (e.g. the GAFA companies)
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Logistics and delivery services (including express delivery services)
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New Work
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Organizational vulnerability (lack of resilience)
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Flexibilization of working hours and place of work
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Creativity and capacity for innovation (start-up culture)
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Knowledge transfer/management by collaboration/cooperation
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Agile working and elimination of bureaucracy
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24/7 society
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XaaS (anything as a service: business model for services and applications of all kinds procured over the Internet)
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New office concepts (e.g. co-working spaces, desk sharing)
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Human enhancement for increased physical performance (e.g. exoskeletons)
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Consumption of legal and illegal addictive substances (including for neuroenhancement (enhanced performance by means of psychoactive substances))
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Emotional demands at work
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Well-being at work (e.g. through meaningful work, gamification of work processes, self-efficacy)
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Climate change, nature and resource conservation, the low-carbon economy
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Storage technologies
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Alternative fuels (e.g. hydrogen, methane, ammonia)
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Sustainability
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Cultured (in-vitro) meat/fish
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Relocalization (production close to the sales market)
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Energy efficiency
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Expansion of renewable energies
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New types of plastics and alternatives
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Deep-sea mining (e.g. for copper and cobalt)
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Recycling and the circular economy
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Scarcity of raw materials (e.g. rare earths, sand)
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New foods (e.g. meat substitutes, insects, algae)
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Use of high-yield and resistant plants
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Climate change (e.g. rising temperatures, rising sea levels, Gulf Stream shift, water shortages, blobs)
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Natural disasters and extreme weather phenomena (drought, storms, heavy rain, extreme heat or cold)
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Pathogenic germs and allergens (caused for example by invasive species, dwindling natural habitats, changing climate zones)
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Reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
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Methods for influencing solar radiation (solar radiation management)
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Loss of biodiversity (declining species diversity, impaired ecosystems)
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Use of insects for pest control
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Air pollution (e.g. by smoke, soot, dust, exhaust fumes, aerosols, vapours, odorous substances, microplastics)
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Soil pollution/littering (including by microplastics)
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Water pollution (e.g. by microplastics, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides)
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Ordnance scrap in soils and waters
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Biocides, pesticides and fertilizers
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Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFASs)
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Infrastructure
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Insecurity of supply (e.g. energy, water, food, traffic/transport, IT/telecommunications, health, finance/insurance)
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Modernization, renovation, maintenance and refurbishment backlogs
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Expansion of the communications network (5G, 6G)
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Upgrading and expansion of electricity grids
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Publicly regulated, global satellite navigation and communication system
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Risks from outer space (space weather, asteroids, space debris)
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Mobility
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Modified or innovative means of transport, including autonomous transport (e.g. drones, long combination vehicles, hoverbikes, hyperloops, autonomous aircraft)
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Networked mobility (seamless linking of multiple transport modes, including via platforms)
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Sustainable mobility
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Micromobility
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Driver assistance systems
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Demographic development and diversity
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Shortage of personnel and skilled workers
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Demographic change and imbalanced age structures
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Urban flight (migration to rural areas)
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Multi-generational homes and co-living
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Flexible life models (divergence from traditional life models and family structures)
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Behavioural problems and disorders
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Concepts for individualized education
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Inclusion of persons with disabilities
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Gender equality
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Social affairs and health
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Risk of poverty
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Social and political extremism, polarization
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Physical and/or psychological violence
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Robberies, terrorist attacks, mass shootings
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Individualization of products and services
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Egocentricity and changes in social cohesion (e.g. decline in membership of associations and churches, weakening of trade unions)
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Diets (plant-based, organic, halal, kosher, gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.)
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Self-optimization (striving for a perfect appearance, fulfilling role expectations, high performance)
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Valuetainment (entertainment of the future = meaningful entertainment to meet social and ecological challenges)
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New pharmaceuticals, vaccines and therapies (e.g. cytostatics, antibiotics in resistance cases, particle accelerators for cancer therapy)
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Physical inactivity
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Unhealthy diet
