WIWES contributed by Nicholas John
Machine translation between English and one other language d ...
A usable machine translation tool is able to provide adequate translations between English and one other language. Weak signal for widespread use of machine translations between any two languages.
A Chinese or Indian university in worldwide top 20 universit ...
A Chinese or Indian university is ranked in the top 20 universities worldwide (currently, Peking University is ranked 50th). Weak signal for future dominance of India or China over Europe in academia.
Rise in cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD)
Cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) rise in countries neighbouring on Europe. Weak signal for outbreak of pandemic.
Following a period of high employment and increased balance of payment deficit, the US decides to withdraw from previous trade agreements and eventually to leave the WTO. Weak signal for US isolationism.
US and EU countries decide to levy high taxes on cross border R&D collaborations. Early indicator for research isolationism. For instance, Western governments fear that China and India are gaining competitive advantages through...
Global number of patent filings decrease 2 years in a row after a long period of growth. This may lead to a decline in patent filings signalling a slow down in innovation processes
Advances in automation, robotics and ICT renders most human work unnecessary, with major economic and social consequences. Unemployment becomes a norm.
Unexpected environmental change due to nano-tech
Nanosensors designed to detect trace concentrations of biochemicals lead to absorption of nanoparticles into the body and environment, concentrating in water and soil, and eventually linking with natural organisms, causing unkn...
Owing to the proven harmful health impacts of eating meat and the inefficiencies involved in the production of eggs, milk and so on, all animal-based products are illegalised
Future parents are able to select a huge range of genetic characteristics for their unborn children
Reading and writing are no longer considered fundamental to children's education. New visual forms of communication combined with ubiquitous touch screens replace reading and writing.
