Session 10

Week 10 was about technology assessment and forecasting. This session basically sums up the course TWC. Basically, in the past few weeks we looked at how technology has brought changed in our world in different areas such as communication, healthcare, education and even our food/nutrition. Along the way, both positive and negative impacts of technology were explored. The different approaches that individuals or companies may take towards innovation were also highlighted. After looking at the past, present and emerging technologies what holds most importance now is the future. What next? In order to answer this question, we need to carry out technology assessment and forecasting.

The different strategies of forecasting and assessment of technology is essential because that guides us while we make decisions about where to invest our time, money and resources. This can we explained through a quote by Benjamin Franklin.

  

“Look before, or you'll find yourself behind” - Benjamin Franklin

The quote is relevant to us and very true. If we do not think about our future, we will be left behind. We need to imagine and be creative to innovate and make our future. There is a need to stop and evaluate the emerging technologies and then make decisions accordingly.

Technology forecasting is important for everyone, every company and every government. Yet, it was realised that forecasting and technology assessment may not even make to priority list of many governments especially the less developing countries. Technology assessment can be most beneficial for poor countries because by assessing and forecasting the future trend, governments can make budgets more efficiently; however there are always problems like corruption which may still result in misallocation of resources.  I realised this when I was researching for my presentation of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in Canada. Canada being a rich and developed nation is investing a lot in HTA. In my presentation I focused on the horizon scanning approach in HTA. Horizon scanning is about recognising new emerging technologies and evaluating them, to determine which technology is best eligible for further funding. Unlike making strategies after looking and observing our past, strategies should be made by having futuristic vision. Hence, planning may be more efficient when working backwards from future to present.

Another presentation was done on kids forecasting the future. The presentation reemphasised the need to be creative and imaginative. If we think like children then we can come up with more interesting innovations. The presentation made me curious about what happens to our imagination when we grow older. :D

Previously, I think I was quite very unsure about this area of forecasting and assessment but after the session I think I understand the importance and various ways of conducting technology assessment and forecasting. The session was a good introduction to the topic. My personal rating of this session is 9/10