Top 10 Breakthrough Technologies in 2024

Technology is a wonderful thing and is still constantly breaking new barriers! Even if you're just looking for the best chat software for business practices or something that enables you to fulfil your professional ambitions, it's always important to remember that there are so many organisations and initiatives breaking that glass ceiling. There is an abundance of breakthrough technologies in 2024, and here are the top 10:

Gene-Editing Treatment

With a breakthrough in CRISPR technology in the final weeks of 2023, there is hope for individuals with disorders such as hereditary angioedema. This treatment utilises in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 technology to target specific genes responsible for producing the plasma prekallikrein, reducing the levels of total plasma and preventing angioedema attacks.

With plans for a phase three trial following on from the initial studies occurring in the second half of 2024 to assess the long-term safety and efficacy. With one treatment from Vertex being the first to earn regulatory approval in the US and the UK for its ability to cure sickle cell disease, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting aspects of the burgeoning technology scene.

Exascale Computers

These are the world's fastest supercomputers and represent a significant leap in high-performance processing. Exascale computers are capable of performing over an exaflop’s (1 followed by 18 zeros) worth of calculations, which is the equivalent to approximately as many operations per second as 50 million laptops.

The supercomputers are designed to tackle complex scientific challenges in varying fields such as biology, astrophysics, and national security and have the potential to revolutionise scientific discovery by enabling simulations at unprecedented scales.

Twitter Alternatives

Sometimes known as "Twitter Killers," these refer to emerging social media platforms or apps that aim to challenge or replace Twitter's dominance in the social media landscape. Since Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it, alternatives like Threads, Blue Sky, and others are now gaining a lot of ground.

In the evolving landscape of social media, contenders are representing attempts to disrupt established players by offering unique features, experiences, and approaches, with Threads differentiating itself by focusing on simplicity and positive interactions, aiming to create a more pleasant online environment.

Heat Pumps

While heat pumps may not sound like a seismic technological breakthrough, heat pumps have had a breakthrough because of significant advancements in clean heating technology, promising to decarbonize buildings by utilising electricity to heat and cool spaces.

In the US, sales of heat pumps have surpassed gas furnaces for the first time and companies like Mitsubishi are introducing residential air-to-water heat pumps that can replace conventional boilers and Worksport and Terravis Energy Inc. introducing a Cold Climate Air Source Residential Heat Pump (CCHP) prototype that can outperform traditional units by producing heat in temperatures as cold as -35ºC, heat pumps have the potential to cut global emissions by 500 million tons by 2030, which is the equivalent of removing all cars in Europe from the roads today.

Weight-Loss Drugs

The global rise in obesity has resulted in a new class of medications that have gained significant attention for their effectiveness in aiding weight loss efforts. Medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have revolutionised weight management by helping suppress appetite and making individuals feel full, resulting in 12% to 15% body weight loss.

Super-Efficient Solar Cells

Solar power is nothing new; however, the development of super-efficient solar cells, particularly perovskite solar cells, has resulted in a significant breakthrough in the solar energy sector. They have demonstrated exceptional efficiency levels and hold the potential to generate more electricity at a lower cost, making solar panels more efficient.

The ongoing research and development in super-efficient solar cells have showcased continuous innovation in renewable energies, which won't just reduce energy costs, but also address environmental concerns and enhance the accessibility of clean energy sources, such as solar power.

Decentralised Publishing Services

Revolutionising the digital publishing industry, it is shifting control and value from centralised institutions like Amazon to individual authors, publishers, service providers, and readers. The decentralised ecosystem aims to enhance operational efficiency by decentralising elements of the supply chain, providing rich behaviour insights for authors, publishers, and service providers.

Blockchain technologies play a critical role in this by enabling secure data sharing without the need for intermediaries. Decentralised publishing services are offering a transformative approach to the role of publishing by empowering stakeholders and fostering a more open and efficient environment for literature to thrive.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Geothermal energy is almost limitless, but because of engineering challenges, we've not been able to see what it can offer. Enhanced geothermal systems represent a groundbreaking technology that allows companies to access geothermal heating in new locations.

Recent advancements have shown the capability to increase renewable energy output, enabling access to geothermal heat but also offering the potential to create giant underground batteries for the grid, and is a key step towards cleaner and more efficient energy production.

Chiplets

Engineers are finding new ways to make computers faster and more efficient, which is where chiplets, small specialised chips, come in. They can be linked together to do everything that a regular chip can do, leading to reduced development timelines and costs, while enhancing performance, reducing power consumption, and providing higher yields in manufacturing compared to larger chips.

The Widespread Use of AI

We could not complete this list without talking about AI. AI has arguably made the biggest impact on our lives since the Industrial Revolution (there is a reason why it’s known as Industry 4.0!). Whether you're looking for the best chat software for business practices or tools to help you work smart rather than harder, AI is the dawn of a new era where artificial intelligence is integrated into various aspects of life.

Major tech companies like Google and Microsoft have unveiled plans to integrate chatbots with search functionalities, revolutionising online interactions. As AI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of our society, we must understand its implications in the grand scheme. Harnessing its potential responsibly will be the most important thing to ensure we navigate the new world effectively.