Introduction:Future-oriented technology analysis - Impacts and implications for policy and decision making

The unfolding acceleration of global innovation is expected to become the hallmark of the first half of the 21st century. When preparing ourselves, our institutions and our networks for this phenomenon, our inquisitive intellects and our social networks are both asking some important questions: what are the critical new tools, where are the cutting edge learning domains and which technologies are advancing the new systems, structures and capabilities that will take us forward to 2020, 2035 and 2050?