The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 provides a detailed analysis of the challenges and risks in a world facing rapid technological change, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty. It emphasizes the critical role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, in shaping future risks and opportunities.
The report highlights the accelerated development of key technologies, including general-purpose AI, expected over the next decade. This growth in AI could lead to multiple development trajectories, influencing various sectors and potentially giving rise to new global risks.
Quantum computing is identified as a significant technological frontier, poised to dramatically increase computing power. While beneficial in many respects, this leap in capabilities also introduces novel risks at a global scale. The dual nature of these technologies, offering both unprecedented opportunities and potential threats, is a major focus of the report.
A specific concern raised is the transformative impact of quantum computing. It could disrupt existing monopolies over compute power, introducing radical risks. The report mentions the threat of “harvest attacks” (Store Now, Decrypt Later), where criminal actors collect encrypted data in anticipation of future decryption with advanced quantum computers. This poses a significant risk to various industries, including pharmaceuticals and technology, as well as to sensitive data like electronic health records.
The potential compromise of large or global infrastructures, such as banks, power grids, and hospitals, is highlighted as a major concern. Additionally, the report raises the possibility of destabilizing global security dynamics if a cryptographically significant quantum computing capability is covertly achieved and later uncovered.
The report also touches on other forms of technological experimentation, such as brain-computer interfaces, which could blur the lines between technology and humanity. The implications of these advancements are largely unknown, adding to the complexity of the global risk landscape.
In conclusion, the WEF’s Global Risks Report 2024 presents a future marked by uncertainty, driven by rapid technological advancements in AI and quantum computing. These technologies hold immense potential but also bring forth new challenges and risks that need to be carefully managed. The report calls for open and constructive dialogue among leaders across various sectors to minimize these risks and harness the opportunities presented by these emerging technologies.
