Expertise

Future Technologies & Digitalisation

Disruptions brought about by future technologies: opportunities and risks.

Artificial intelligence, robotics, mobile communication, Internet of Things – new technologies keep causing unprecedented disruptions. An enormous growth potential for the economy, new markets for companies and new approaches in medicine, education and other areas of society are amongst the manifold opportunities associated with the digital transformation.

However, the transformation of the economy and society can also entail considerable risks. For example, regions and entire economies can be left behind by this technological leap. It may even lead to societal disruptions.

Digital transformation – seizing opportunities with foresight

To prevent this, and to take advantage of the opportunities that the digital transformation offers to the economy and society, we need a long-term vision – and resilient data. It is only in this way that central questions such as the following can be answered and potentially far-reaching consequences influenced.

  • What other future technologies, for example, bio- or nanotechnological, can we expect?
  • How advanced is the development of these technologies?
  • How can the potential of these technologies for the economy, society and science be quantified?
  • Which business models and value-added networks are feasible and which consumers will benefit from these technologies?
  • How is the competition for innovation among national economies shaped and what are the recommendations that can be derived from it?

Future Technologies & Digitalisation: A selection of our services

Monitoring technological change

We observe economic and social changes triggered by future technologies almost in real-time based on extensive databases. This includes information on more than 300 million companies, 100 million scientific articles, over 100 million patents and other property rights, Twitter messages, web analyses, statistics, studies and many other sources. We can link these data sources by using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Studies and evaluations

We identify the maturity of technological developments and new business models.

SWOT analyses

We assess strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and risks of states, federal states and companies in the competition for innovation.

Quantifying the effects

We quantify the economic and social effects of future technologies and digitisation, for example in terms of gross value added and the number of jobs.

Recommendations for action

From these findings, we derive recommendations for action and support our customers in the development and implementation of digital and technology strategies.

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

Evaluation of Eurostars-2, the European SME support programme

2023
| Project

On behalf of the EU Commission, Prognos and its partners examined the Eurostars-2 SME fund-ing programme as part of the evaluation study of the European Framework Programmes Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

Evaluation of EU funding programme for the development of digital solutions for older people

2022
| Project

Digital solutions can make life easier for older people. The EU's Active and Assisted Living Programme (AAL2) has actively contributed to the development of novel solutions.

Innovation strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region

2022
| Project

Innovation is more and more frequently emerging across regions and industries. Together with IMP³ROVE, we developed a strategy for the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (MRH) including out-standing innovation projects.

Innovation Index Germany

2022
| Project

How does the expansion of the digital infrastructure affect regional innovation strength? The IID.2022 provides clarification.

European Cluster Conference 2022

| Event

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer and Lennart Galdiga inform in Prague about the competence centre "NRW.innovativ" and represent the European Cluster Collaboration Platform.

Blockchain in the creative industry

2022
| Project

Technology enables new business models for creative professionals. And offers solutions for key industry challenges.

Germany’s innovation leaders 2022

2022
| News

We analysed the patent applications of 180,000 innovative companies worldwide and identified the innovation leaders in 500 technology fields – for the F.A.Z.-Institute and the IMWF Institute.

Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) is feasible

2022
| News

The Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) is feasible. Four locations form a network across Germany.

Saarland StrategyPlus 2021-2023

2022
| Project

On behalf of the Saarland State Chancellery, we have assisted with the update of the Saarland innovation strategy and have prepared the strategy paper, “StrategyPlus 2021–2023".

Digital model regions in North Rhine-Westphalia

ongoing
| Project

The state government of NRW has selected five model regions where digitalisation is to be promoted. Prognos and partners will provide scientific support for the programmes.

City life of the future

ongoing
| Project

Prognos is part of the consortium of the BMI programme Model Projects Smart Cities (MPSC).

Evaluation of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

ongoing
| Project

On behalf of the EU Commission, Prognos is working with partners to examine the impact of the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

Germany's Innovation Leaders 2020

2020
| Project

For the F.A.Z.-Institut and the IMWF, we studied 150,000 innovative companies worldwide. We identified 2,700 companies as innovation leaders.

Work Landscape 2025

2019
| Project

The "Labor Landscape" study series has been providing an overview of the development of labor demand and labor supply in Germany since 2008.

Germany Report 2025|2035|2045

2018
| Project

Germany will become more global, more digital, greener and older in the next 30 years. This is shown by Prognos Deutschland Report from 2018/2019.

Digitization Compass 2018

2018
| Project

The Prognos/index Digitization Compass – the 5-Star-Rating regarding the digitization of regions in Germany.

Society 5.0

2018
| Project

Implications of digitalisation for areas of life like work, health and mobility – that is the topic of “Society 5.0,” the short study carried out by Capgemini and Prognos.

Women & retirement provision

2018
| Project

A stronger employment orientation for women can help to stabilise the public pension system – while also benefitting their own financial position in old age.

Importance of the German Economy for Europe

2018
| Project

The study shows: A strong German economy creates value-added and employment in Europe.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2013

2013
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2013 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Georg Klose

Principal, Head of Digital Development

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Holger Bornemann

Partner, Director

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Michael Astor

Partner, Director

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About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

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