Technology Foresight of Politecnico di Milano has conducted foresight activities to explore potential opportunities and challenges, preparing for a technological paradigm shift in personal health. The aim was to identify the most disruptive technologies in the realm of personal health and assess their impact on shaping future scenarios. The time frame extends from the present to 2040.

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Methodology:

• Mapping the landscape: Desk Research on the Future of Health: Selection, from foresight studies and scientific publications, the 50 most recurrent technologies and innovations expected to be transformative.  
• Experts’ preliminary analysis: identification of 28 core technologies.
• Extended and in-depth analysis to identify the most promising 10 technologies, engaging Politecnico di Milano’s community and a group of physicians through a dedicated survey. 
• Impact and Relevance Assessment to shape the final outcome.

The top 10 technologies are:

• Applied Artificial Intelligence (Applied AI)
• Biomedical imaging techniques
• Biosensors
• Data Science
• Digital Twin/Modelling
• Drug Delivery Smart Systems
• Genetic Editing
• Implantable devices
• Neurotechnology
• Next Generation Vaccines
  

Each technology description includes: examples of potential fields of application, the phase(s) in which the technology is relevant (prediction/prevention/diagnosis/treatment/rehabilitation), opportunities, requirements, risks, impacts.

The report continues with a series of insights, derived from the analysis of alternative visions of the future associated with health, with both positive and negative elements, aiming at understanding the opportunities and challenges posed by each context and at identifying the conditions that will allow moving in the preferred direction, without neglecting risks and possible barriers.

This study involves the execution of a comprehensive, two-year foresight exercise on next-generation online platforms. Using participatory foresight techniques, the study team will analyse the potential impacts of the rapidly evolving platform ecosystem on the European Union's society and economy. The study aims to enhance the Commission's understanding of the potential challenges and opportunities associated with the ongoing platformisation trends in various policy areas. In addition, the study will contribute to strengthening the European Commission's capabilities in using participatory foresight techniques to inform policymaking in the future. The study comprises 10 policy papers delivered in three sets. The study will harness the participatory foresight methodology to achieve its objectives. Participatory foresight is a technique focused on exploring different future scenarios and their impacts while actively engaging stakeholders in co-creation and co-assessment exercises. For each set of policy papers, the foresight process will include analysis and synthesis of pertinent technological and societal trends, assessment of various wildcards and the definition of the main scenarios and impacts. Some of the methods used in the study include visioning, roadmapping, backcasting and scenario analysis. For each set of policy papers, the study team will organise two participatory foresight meetings with a wide variety of stakeholders.

This foresight study aims to support the design of a robust and adaptable digital competency framework that aligns with the long-term strategic priorities of the public administration in Romania. Additionally, it seeks to ensure the framework remains future-ready, enabling civil servants to navigate digital transformation, deliver citizen-centric services, and address complex policy challenges with agility and innovation.

The foresight methodology utilized horizon scanning and scenarios (both explorative and normative) as essential tools in strategic planning, helping organizations and policymakers navigate uncertainty by exploring various probable and/or desirable futures.

This study focuses on the year 2032, a timeframe suited for structural transformation in public administration, allowing for the development and maturity of complex digital systems.

The scenario-building process was based on inputs developed by the foresight team at Institutul de Prospectiva and was progressively refined through three online working sessions and a final in-person workshop.

The figure below provides a concise overview of the scenario-building steps, followed by a detailed explanation of the characteristics and objectives of each scenario type.