New technology is arriving faster than ever and holds the promise of solving many of the world's most pressing challenges, such as food and water security, energy sustainability and personalized medicine. In the past year alone, 3D printing has been used for medical purposes; lighter, cheaper and flexible electronics made from organic materials have found practical applications; and drugs that use nanotechnology and can be delivered at the molecular level have been developed in medical labs. However, uninformed public opinion, outdated government and intergovernmental regulations, and inadequate existing funding models for research and development are the greatest challenges in effectively moving new technologies from the research lab to people's lives. At the same time, it has been observed that most of the global challenges of the 21st century are a direct consequence of the most important technological innovations of the 20st century. Understanding the implications of new technologies are crucial both for the timely use of new and powerful tools and for their safe integration in our everyday lives.

At this year's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, hosted by the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China, the Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies choose the top ten technologies of 2016, based on their potential to transform industry and society. A diverse range of breakthrough technologies, including autonomous vehicles, natural language artificial intelligence, and next generation batteries, were examined in collaboration with Scientific American, highlighting advances that have the power to improve lives, transform industries, and safeguard the planet. The report also provides an opportunity to debate human, societal, economic, or environmental risks and concerns that the technologies may pose prior to widespread adoption. "The global community needs to come together and agree on common principles if our society is to reap the benefits and hedge the risks of these technologies," said Dr. Bernard Meyerson, Chief Innovation Officer of IBM, and Chairman of the Meta-Council. In raising awareness about these technologies, moreover, the Council aims to address challenges in investment and regulation.

Today the Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2016 list, compiled by the World Economic Forum's Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies, was published. The list highlights technological advances its members believe have the power to improve lives, transform industries and safeguard the planet. "Horizon scanning for emerging technologies is crucial to staying abreast of developments that can radically transform our world, enabling timely expert analysis in preparation for these disruptors. The global community needs to come together and agree on common principles if our society is to reap the benefits and hedge the risks of these technologies." One of the criteria used by council members during their deliberations was the likelihood that 2016 represents a tipping point in the deployment of each technology.