Scanning the horizon for the next technology surprise
Technology development is arguably moving faster than ever before. The rate at which novel technologies are emerging and evolving is launching us into a new age of innovation, one that has the potential to surprise even the most astute of experts.
Technology surprise
In the Government Office for Science (GOS), we broadly define ‘technology surprise’ as a disruptive and unexpected development in science or technology. This can bring challenging domestic and international policy issues, lead to substantial socioeconomic impacts, and present wholly new opportunities or risks for government to rise to.
There is a range of ways in which technology surprise might occur, be it a major breakthrough in a particular field, a new application or rapid adoption of an existing technology, or a convergence of different technologies to create new possibilities and use cases.
The role of GOS, led by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser Dame Angela McLean, is to put excellent science advice at the heart of decision making, ensuring the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and policymakers across government have the scientific evidence to react to current and future challenges. By putting in place mechanisms to anticipate technology surprise, we can help government to proactively harness these exciting opportunities (for example, to support and boost adoption) or mitigate the risks that could be around the corner.
How do we anticipate technology surprise and support adoption of emerging technologies?
Horizon scanning is a way of tracking weak signals of change which could increase in magnitude and significance over time. By integrating signals from a variety of sources, including desk research, cross-government knowledge sharing and engagement with experts in industry and academia, GOS can monitor evolving trends in the science and technology world and provide an early warning system for government.
We also go a step further and provide rapid technology assessments on emerging areas of interest, to support government departments to make better strategic decisions on science and technology. These assessments draw together the latest evidence and expert perspectives to give policymakers an accessible, actionable, and timely view of technology developments and associated implications for government. More broadly, teams across GOS can assess emerging technologies using a variety of different methods, ranging from data-driven analysis to longer-term foresight reports.
There is of course still a chance that something happens in the world of science and technology that no one could have predicted. However, our multi-pronged approach of horizon scanning for early signals of change, combined with rigorous in-depth assessments, provides a framework for helping government anticipate surprise and stay one step ahead of the technologies of the future.
Robotics & AI
The public release of ChatGPT and the surge of interest in generative AI that followed can reasonably be considered an example of technology surprise – spurring international action on AI risks and multiple national domestic strategies around the globe to drive AI innovation and adoption. As this has unfolded since late 2022, the horizon scanning signals have been numerous and clear – AI was bringing newfound potential for robotics, riding a wave of innovation and investment.
But what did the future of AI and robotics really look like? What was hype (AI in robotics is not new) and what was based on the robust science and engineering needed to see innovation through to real world use? What could prevent or slow the UK down in its efforts to secure benefits for industry and the public from these potentially exciting developments?
To dive into this, we consulted with over 40 experts around the UK – within government, industry, and academia. Four things quickly became clear.
First, the UK hosts an incredible and diverse range of robotics expertise. This expertise spans sectors from agriculture and manufacturing to energy and healthcare, and from basic R&D through to industry integration. Our analysis of publications, patents, and private investment suggests that the UK produces highly influential robotics research and secures competitive levels of early-stage investment for innovators.
Second, the impacts of AI on how capable future robotic systems are could be substantial – unlocking new capabilities in adaptability to new tasks, autonomy, and deployability in an ever-widening array of sectors and use cases (for example, natural language processing enabling systems to be set up and used by those without extensive knowledge of computer programming languages).
Third, fully harnessing these impacts relies on continued research and development in both AI and robotics. However impressive, large language models and other AI architectures are often imperfect, make errors (often in strange ways), and more work is needed to build the robot specific datasets and AI models to fully unlock the potential.
Finally, the UK faces challenges to maximising the benefits of this increasing convergence of AI and robotics technologies for industry and society.
Regardless of our strengths in research and the exciting breadth of innovations being developed all around the country, the promised benefits rely on increasing industry adoption and fostering an environment which enables domestic innovators to develop, scale and commercialise in an increasingly competitive international context, where supply chains, finance and talent flows are global.
How can you get involved?
We are always keen to engage with the wider science and technology community, not only to ensure that we stay abreast of cutting-edge R&D but also to make sure our advice and support to government draws on the leading global expertise on offer in the UK.
If any of our work on emerging technologies and horizon scanning sounds interesting to you, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
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techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotics & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to December 2023, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report. The report, containing member case studies and policy recommendations, was launched in March 2024 at Satellite Applications Catapult's Harwell campus.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Report
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from February to June 2025, this sprint campaign is exploring how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of robotic & automation technologies.
These include autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoids, and applications across industry & manufacturing, defence, transport & mobility, logistics, and more.
Activity is taking the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in Q4 2025).
Get in touch below to get involved or find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Upcoming events
Insights
Event round-ups
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
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The Government Office for Science
The Government Office for Science is a science advisory office in the UK Government. The office advises the Government on policy and decision-making based on science and long-term thinking. It has been led by Professor Dame Angela McLean, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, since 23 February 2023.
