Metascan of Technology Trends for Future Policies

Conducting a comprehensive scan of technology trends across key sectors for federal policy-making.
Technology Research
2015
Policy Horizons Canada

In collaboration with Policy Horizons Canada, we developed a metascan—a scan of scans—designed to identify emerging technology trends across six critical sectors, including healthcare, energy, and agriculture.

This project involved merging existing signal data with feedback from a panel of experts through a Delphi-style methodology. This process allowed for a multi-dimensional analysis of the technologies shaping each sector, along with their anticipated timelines. The final research was presented to federal policymakers, providing a forward-looking perspective on how these technologies could impact Canada’s economic and strategic direction. The metascan played a crucial role in helping shape policy decisions, ensuring the country is prepared to adapt to technological advancements across multiple industries.

Our Work

  • Created a metascan to identify emerging technology trends across key sectors.
  • Focused on sectors such as healthcare, energy, and agriculture.
  • Combined data from various sources with Delphi feedback from experts.

Impact

  • Provided a multi-dimensional analysis of technology impacts and timelines.
  • Supported federal policy-making with a forward-looking assessment of technological advancements.

We focused on six critical areas of the Canadian economy to evaluate the future of technology and its potential policy implications. These sectors included Neurotech & Cognitive technologies, Health, Agriculture, Nanotech & Materials, Energy, and Digital & Communications. Using the Delphi method, we collaborated with experts in virtual sessions to identify, select, and evaluate key technologies. Each technology was scored based on its expected timeline for adoption and potential impact, providing a clearer view of when these innovations are likely to influence Canadian industries.

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