Much has been said about how industrial and non-industrial robots are changing the world. When we think of robots, most of us think of industrial robotic arms, military robots, or anthropomorphic service robots. In other words, big robots. Few think of those robots that are rarely visible to the naked eye: microrobots.

Many futurists believe that a good way to better understand people´s future-oriented beliefs, behaviour and decisions, is to use their world views as a starting point. Hence, following this logic, the key to better understanding our future-oriented reasoning is to know our world views, that constitute the lenses that we use.

Data and AI technologies are driving the development of our industries; and a demand for experts in STEM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and wages paid in those jobs, are growing fast in many countries.

When we talk about 3D printing, many people first picture small-scale products, such as car parts or smartphone covers. But what happens when we attempt to build larger structures, like houses or bridges, with 3D-printing?

A group of scientists from the University of California, Riverside, got inspired by Wolverine, a comic character from the X-Men, who has self-healing abilities. As a result, they created transparent, self-repairing and highly stretchable material that can be electrically activated. Therefore, it’s especially suitable for improving the performance of smartphones, robots and other electronic devices.

Czech scientists from a research group at the Brno University of Technology developed a mechanical and computer model, with the aid of 3D printing, that allows them to simulate a variety of biological conditions, like asthma and other chronic afflictions. It can help us understand the diseases better, devise optimal treatment courses, and even help doctors practice surgeries with precision.

The alcohol industry is used to competition but not so much to disruption. It has some of the most devout followers and healthiest profit margins of any industry. But some people are trying to bring change to the industry, whether by creating wine in a laboratory or by getting rid of alcohol entirely. Are their efforts being rewarded?

Cash is still king in many countries, even with the advent of debit and credit cards. But now cash and card payments are facing a challenge from new foes - smartphones and social platforms. With over one-third of the world having access to smartphones, and their high penetration in developed countries, will we still need to carry our wallets around?

The company Hyperloop One announced the semi-finalists of their challenge: to make a good case for how the Hyperloop track might generate economic growth, development, and change the way people live and work in their region. Among the routes was the 90-kilometer journey between Tallinn and Helsinki. But is this happening any time soon, in the Nordics or around the world?

Williams College wrote code that uses a type of machine-learning algorithm to create art that is practically indistinguishable from “real” art. The technique can also be applied to videos and other images—which makes us wonder: How will we be able to tell what's real from what's not in the future?

According to a recent report by the Brookings Institution, the world's middle class is growing – and fast. The report indicated that today, 140 million people annually enter the status of middle class. In 5 years, this number can go up to 170 million.

One of the foremost applications of crowdsourcing is in solving hard or complex problems. The old adage says that two heads are better than one. Well, by crowdsourcing solutions for complex problems from thousands or possibly even millions of people, solutions might be not only better but arrive much faster.