Harnessing emerging technologies: the cases of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology

Abstract

The global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) of 2019 (the disease commonly referred to as COVID19) has highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in developed countries. Technology has enabled researchers and firms to work at unprecedented speeds to decode the organism’s genetic code in weeks, design testing, monitoring and patient management devices or tools, and bring to market several novel vaccines in about a year. Similarly, digital technologies have transformed how people work, interact and access services. Technology is a major enabler of competitiveness in almost all sectors. Advances in technology often opens up new opportunities that drive innovation, emergence of new companies, and improvement in the productivity and efficiency of existing ones.