Disruptive technologies expected to advance the direction of innovation

Guangzhou (ANTARA) – A Chinese research institute on Sunday (1 November) released an outlook on disruptive technologies, selecting 40 technologies that have made significant breakthroughs recently.

At the opening ceremony of the 2026 Greater Bay Area Science Forum in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, southern China, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) released its Disruptive Technology Outlook 2026.

The 40 technologies cover five main fields: artificial intelligence (AI), next-generation information technology, life and health, new energy, new materials, and advanced manufacturing.

All have demonstrated significant recent breakthroughs and the potential to advance future disruptive innovation.

For example, the scope of applications for mRNA therapy is expanding rapidly, with the potential to provide a general strategy for preventing and treating a range of diseases.

Ultra-fast charging technology for power batteries could also improve efficiency and the utilisation of charging infrastructure.

As these technologies develop and their applications broaden, they continue to drive the emergence of new industries, new business models and new growth drivers.

The selection process took into account factors including the extent of recent technological breakthroughs, the criticality of the technologies and their impact on industry.

Since 2022, ISTIC has published an annual report on disruptive technology prospects. The related research findings support the innovative development of frontier and disruptive technologies, as well as forward-looking planning for future industries.