What will future global trends be?

In 2022, Dr. Claire Naughtin, a senior research consultant at CSIRO, shared insights from the organisation's latest

Our Future World Report, which highlights seven global megatrends worth monitoring.

These issues are just as relevant now and worth keeping front of mind as we speed through 2023, still trying to understand the potential long-term impacts of the pandemic:

1. Adapting to a changing climate:

Increasing frequency and scale of extreme weather events and their potential impacts on critical

infrastructure, settlement patterns, and communities.

2. Leaner, cleaner, and greener:

Addressing resource scarcity challenges and driving innovations for a sustainable future, with a focus on

the global energy transition away from fossil fuels.

3. The escalating health imperative:

Meeting the growing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population and the burden of chronic

diseases.

4. Evolving global landscape:

Assessing the potential impacts of geopolitical tensions and disruption of global supply chains, as well as

the increasing threat of cybercrime.

5. Diving into digital:

Embracing the massive growth of digital products and services, such as telehealth, remote working, and

online shopping.

6. Increasingly autonomous:

Recognising the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, enabling software and

machines to perform tasks without human guidance.

7. Unlocking the human dimension:

Exploring trends related to trust, consumer empowerment, and the cost of living, with a focus on building

trust in institutions and addressing economic challenges.

These seven global megatrends, providing valuable perspectives on the potential challenges and opportunities they present for individuals, communities, and organisations in Australia and beyond.

“Like aircraft engineers would use wind tunnels to test the robustness of new aircrafts, we can use these megatrends to develop, test and refine future strategies to ensure they are robust, whatever the future holds” she said.

CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said megatrends help us to understand the challenges and massive opportunities that will shape our future.

“Australia is at a pivotal point. There is a tidal wave of disruption on the way, and it’s critical we take steps now to get ahead of it,” Marshall said.