The Prezi presentation below shows the key themes and topics that were discussed during the Think Tank. However, my favorite, and what impressed me more than anything was the development of new technologies: the 3D printer.
I think that this will impact the world a lot. Firstly, this will change the business cycle. Shops such as hardware stores, appliances, and generally all stores producing goods, will eventually begin disappearing, as it will be easier/cheaper to just print whatever you need at home. So I think that the development of a 3D printer will have a very large economic impact. It is true, that new jobs will be created, but I don't think as many as will be destroyed.
Secondly, this will impact future generations. The children in the next 5 years, will find it normal to just print out whatever they need. They may lose the sense of value for money, and will look at us (the current generation) like we look at those who lived through a war: careful, and anticipating, something we don't do as much now a days and will do even less in the future.
Thirdly, I don't think it will stop at just printing in 3D, but as Charlotte from the Apprevous company also mentioned, it will be matched and combined with applications, and other technologies, developing a whole new business sector and a new cycle.
Like the Harvard Business Review states "As 3-D printing takes hold, the factors that have made China the workshop of the world will lose much of their force." I fully agree, but I don't think it will stop at just China being the issue, but a whole lot more of countries, and more specifically, sectors and industries as mentioned previously.
Fourthly, like all new things, it takes time: to create, develop, test the printer etc... Yes, once the 3D printer will be ready for sale, it still requires specific software and knowledge which will take the consumer time to learn and adapt. However, get a head- start by learning how exactly it works with Mashable, a technology savvy website, which fully explains the process- yet it does not settle the price of the 3D printer, which for now remains reasonably high for the average individual.
I found a quote on the internet, which in general summarizes the differences between the 20th century and 21st century with regards to the important changes in technology. I think it summarizes the current situation better than anything: The end of the 20th century was about information becoming digital. The 21st century is going to be about bringing the virtual world into closer alignment with the physical one.
