The article discusses the critical role of engineers in addressing global challenges such as climate change, cyberwarfare, and the advancement of artificial intelligence. It emphasizes the need for engineers to adopt a visionary mindset rather than just reactive problem-solving. Through the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA), engineers are encouraged to think futuristically and engage in multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle complex issues. The article highlights past visionary contributions by engineers and calls for new ideas to guide future research priorities. It underscores that engineers must leverage their expertise to envision sustainable solutions and societal transformations.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift in Engineering Mindset | Engineers are encouraged to adopt a futurist mindset rather than a reactive problem-solving approach. | Changing from reactive technical tinkering to proactive visionary thinking in engineering. | In 10 years, engineering practices may prioritize visionary approaches, leading to innovative solutions for global challenges. | The need to address complex global crises requires engineers to think beyond immediate technical concerns. | 4 |
| Integration of Multidisciplinary Approaches | Increasing collaboration among engineers, scientists, and social scientists to tackle complex issues. | Moving from isolated engineering practices to a multidisciplinary approach in problem-solving. | In a decade, multidisciplinary teams may become standard in engineering, resulting in more holistic solutions. | The complexity of global challenges necessitates diverse perspectives and expertise to develop effective solutions. | 5 |
| R&D for Sustainable Materials | Focus on engineering sustainable materials to address environmental concerns. | Transitioning from conventional materials to organic and reusable materials in production. | By 2033, industries may predominantly use sustainable materials, significantly reducing environmental impact. | Growing environmental awareness and regulatory pressures drive the shift towards sustainability in engineering practices. | 4 |
| Visioning Workshops for Engineers | Regular workshops encouraging engineers to think futuristically and creatively about problems. | From traditional engineering methods to visionary thinking workshops that inspire innovation. | In 10 years, such workshops could lead to a new generation of engineers skilled in foresight and innovation. | The need for innovative solutions to pressing global challenges motivates the creation of visioning events. | 3 |
| Focus on Unhackable Infrastructure | Development of inherently secure systems in response to cyber threats in engineering. | Shifting from reactive cybersecurity measures to designing systems with built-in security features. | In a decade, infrastructure may be designed with universal trust and security as foundational principles. | The rising threat of cyberwarfare emphasizes the need for proactive security measures in engineering. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change Impact | Threats to human infrastructure and habitats caused by climate change necessitate urgent engineering solutions. | 5 |
| Cyberwarfare Risks | State and nonstate cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure like energy and healthcare systems pose significant risks. | 5 |
| Water Crisis | Global water crisis worsened by climate change requires innovative engineering solutions to ensure water security. | 5 |
| Uncontrolled AI Development | Rapid advances in artificial intelligence raise ethical and societal concerns regarding its impact on humanity. | 4 |
| Need for Multidisciplinary Approaches | Complex global challenges require a shift from technical tinkering to holistic, interdisciplinary engineering methods. | 4 |
| Sustainable Material Solutions | Development of sustainable materials is crucial to address the environmental impact of ubiquitous non-circular materials. | 4 |
| Unhackable Infrastructure | Creating inherently secure systems against cyber threats is essential for maintaining trust in future technological infrastructure. | 5 |
| Women’s Health Innovations | Ongoing engineering efforts must prioritize and improve health solutions specifically for women. | 3 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Visionary Engineering | Engineers are encouraged to adopt a futuristic mindset, focusing on long-term solutions rather than just technical tinkering. | 5 |
| Multidisciplinary Collaboration | Addressing complex global challenges requires collaboration across diverse fields including ethics, social science, and technology. | 4 |
| Proactive Problem-Solving | Engineers should take a proactive role in addressing challenges like climate change and cyber threats, rather than a reactive one. | 5 |
| Sustainable Material Innovation | There is a shift towards using sustainable and reusable materials in engineering to combat environmental issues. | 4 |
| Futuristic Thinking Workshops | Regular workshops to push engineers to think beyond immediate problems and envision future possibilities. | 4 |
| Open Innovation in Engineering | Encouraging the engineering community to propose new themes for research and exploration to solve societal challenges. | 3 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid advancements in AI are reshaping how we approach complex global challenges, including climate change and cybersecurity. | 5 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| New sensor technologies are envisioned to assess weather and water security events, contributing to climate change mitigation. | 4 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| Development of inherently secure systems to protect against cyber threats in the interconnected world of computing and human interaction. | 5 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| Innovations in creating concrete, chemicals, and packaging using organic and reusable materials for a sustainable future. | 4 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| Exploration of quantum technologies for various applications, including computing and communications, to enhance future capabilities. | 5 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| Future developments in wireless technology aimed at maintaining competitive advantages in a connected world. | 3 | 515caab076a67eec3531ff27aa8f3e83 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change Mitigation Technologies | Development of innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions and assess weather and water security events. | 5 |
| Cybersecurity in Infrastructure | Creating unhackable infrastructure through trustworthy systems and self-identifying threats to ensure safety and security. | 5 |
| Sustainable Materials Engineering | Shift towards using organic and reusable materials in production to combat waste and promote sustainability. | 5 |
| Futuristic Engineering Mindset | Encouraging engineers to adopt a visionary mindset to address complex global challenges rather than reactive approaches. | 4 |
| Multidisciplinary Approaches to Engineering Solutions | Integrating diverse fields to develop comprehensive solutions for systemic global issues. | 4 |
| Advancements in Quantum Engineering | Exploring the potential of quantum engineering for future technological developments. | 3 |
| Improving Women’s Health through Engineering | Identifying engineering solutions to enhance health outcomes for women. | 3 |
| Future of Wireless Competitiveness | Investigating innovations in wireless technology and infrastructure for future competitiveness. | 3 |