Frontier Technologies can Foster Inclusive Recovery From COVID-19 – UNCTAD REPORT

COVID-19 recovery efforts present an opportunity for governments and the international community to use new and emerging technologies to reduce the inequalities brought into sharper focus by the pandemic, says UNCTAD’s Technology and Innovation Report 2021 to be launched on 25 February.

Such frontier technologies – those that take advantage of digitalization and connectivity – include artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things, big data, blockchain, 5G, 3D printing, robotics, drones, gene editing, nanotechnology and solar photovoltaic.

These rapidly developing technologies represent a $350 billion market, which by 2025 could grow to over $3.2 trillion, according to the report, which explains how developing countries can catch up and forge ahead in using, adopting and adapting these technologies.

The report also provides a "country readiness index" that assesses the progress of countries in using frontier technologies, considering their national capacities related to physical investment, human capital and technological effort.