Abstract 3

Acknowledgements 4

Executive Summary 8

1 Introduction to horizon scanning 10

Why is horizon scanning done? 10

What is horizon scanning? 11

Who does horizon scanning? 12

Ecosystems of horizon scanners 14

2 How is horizon scanning done 15

Outlining a horizon scanning process 15

Artificial intelligence in horizon scanning: promise and pitfalls 18

3 Policy utility and capacity options 20

How is horizon scanning useful for policy? 20

Institutional situations and horizon scanning capability options 22

4 Tapping existing technology horizon scans: an illustration 25

Exploring the benefits of tapping existing scans 25

What can be considered as a technology horizon scan? 25

Over 10,000 signals of emerging technologies 26

Insights by most frequent key technology areas 27

Extracting insights by policy issue 28

Reflections on scanning and probing existing horizon scans 43

5 Conclusions and Outlook 45

Annex A. Taxonomy 47

Annex B. List of Horizon Scans 51

Annex C. Methodology for ‘Tapping existing technology horizon scans’ 58

Annex D. Detailed results on technology radar 62

Annex E. Technology Descriptions 64

Artificial Intelligence 64

Quantum technologies 64

Advanced semiconductor design and manufacturing 64

Advanced battery and energy storage 65

Advanced Radiofrequency Communication (5G/6G) 65

Clean hydrogen and ammonia 65

Robotics and automated systems 65

Internet of Things (IoT) 65

Biotechnology 66

Gene editing (for health) 66

Wearable and biosensor-based digital health and telemedicine 66

3D/4D bioprinting and tissue engineering 66

Neurotechnology and Brain-Computer-Interfaces 67

Next-generation photovoltaics 67

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage 67

Nuclear power and small nuclear reactions (SMRs) 67

Smart grids 68

Precision agriculture and smart farming 68

Gene editing (for food security) 68

Water extraction, treatment, and resource recovery 68

Nanotechnologies (for food and water security) 69

References 70