21st century technologies: promises and perils of a dynamic future

The next few decades hold the prospect of remarkable progress, as a wide range of pervasive technologies impact on how we live, work, and spend our leisure time. These technologies are set to revolutionise much of our daily lives. These new technologies could be of huge benefit to a lot of the world's population, they could also mean lost opportunities and unnecessary risks, if not used correctly. The challenge for society is immense. This change also brings a range of ethical dilemmas, particularly with the emergence of genetic engineering. This document discusses the possible impact of new technologies on society, the conflicts that may arise and the societies that will adapt best. It reviews the extraordinary promise of technological advances over the next twenty years or so, and assesses some of the key economic, social, environmental and ethical issues that decision-makers in government, business and society will face in the future. Show less