Trend Category

Technology

Emerging and evolving trends in digitalization and automation are manifesting in how and where people live, work, and play, and are leading to discrete changes in how we structure and build our cities and communities.

Trends to Act on Now

AI and Infrastructure

The deployment of AI systems for urban infrastructure systems is growing. AI offers the potential to save a lot of...

Technology and the Environment

Digital emissions areresponsiblefor up to 3.7 percent of global CO2 emissions. To help lower this, a focus has been placed...

The transition from 5G to 6G

Fifth-generationwireless (5G) was first deployed in 2018 and was widespread by the end of 2020. It brought enhanced connectivity to...

Digitalization

Digitalization has been a trend for the last two decades and was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.Digital frailty, on the...

Digital Divide

With COVID-19, many aspects of life have transitioned to online formats, and internet access has become even more important. This...

Public Services and AI

The incorporation of AI into governmental services, as highlighted by organizations like theOECDandtheWorld Economic Forum, isn't a new concept. However,...

Smart Cities

The installation of smart city projects is increasing, often with the involvement of private-sector organizations and through public-private partnerships. According...

Generative AI

Generative AIis the most rapidly expanding AI-driven technology globally. Unlike traditional AI, Gen AI can produce unique content seemingly crafted...

AI Regulations

Countries worldwideare working to craftAI guidelines. The EUis crafting a novel legal frameworkwith an emphasis on striking a balance between...

Data Centers

Data centers make cloud computing possible, and tomaximize the speed of data transfer, data centers need to move closer to...

Increased need for cybersecurity

As digitalization of government functions continues, there is an increasing need for cybersecurity solutions tailored to the public sector.Digital trustdescribes...

Trends to Prepare For

VR

VR glasses are the primary tool by which people engage with the metaverse, and the global smart glasses market value...

Planning for Robots

Robots of all shapes and sizes are entering our cities. Seoul has recently developed plans for arobot-friendly city,proactively envisioning the...

The Quite Metaversing

The metaverse, another tool offering a deeper level of engagement, is far from obsolete, contrary to what some might believe....

Cryptocurrency

Following a period of "crypto winter" from 2022 to 2023, a time when Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were valued much...

Blockchain

Blockchain has many potential use cases in cities, but these applications are not yet widespread. Records management and community engagement...

Trends to Learn About and Watch

Quantum computing

Quantum computingis an emerging method of computing intended to solve extremely complex problems beyond the processing expertise of "classical computers."...

Trend Reports

APA's foresight research is made possible in part through our partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

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