DNA data storage becomes a top emerging technology

DNA data storage has become a top 10 emerging technology of 2019 on this year's World Economic Forum's annual list released in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province.

Other technological breakthroughs with the greatest potential to make a positive impact on our world include social robots, cheaper and safer nuclear reactors and a novel way of reining in rogue proteins.

The technologies on the list were selected based on their potential to have a mainstream impact on societies and economies within five years and be both disruptive and attractive to investors and researchers.

"From income inequality to climate change, technology will play a critical role in finding solutions to the challenges our world faces today. This year's emerging technologies demonstrate the rapid pace of human innovation and offer a glimpse into what a sustainable, inclusive future will look like," said WEF CTO Jeremy Jurgens, at the 2019 World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum.

Technologies emerging today will be shaping the world well into the future, impacting economies and society at large, said Mariette DiChristina, editor-in-chief of Scientific American and chair of the Emerging Technologies Steering Committee.

"Now that we are well into the fourth Industrial Revolution, it's critical we ensure humanity is served by these new innovations so we can continue to prosper," DiChristina said.

The 2019 World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions was held in Northern Peal Dalian, Northeast China Liaoning province, between July 1 and 3.

Boasting the theme of "Leadership 4.0: Succeeding in a New Era of Globalization", the forum attracted more than 1,800 business leaders, policymakers and experts from over 120 countries to participate in more than 200 sessions.