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Enough of AI
Frankly, I've heard enough of AI to last a lifetime. There's other tech to talk about!
Matt Glossop
July 25, 2025
It feels like the news is waterboarding me every day with news about AI.
“Generative” this and “automated” that.
Just strap me into the Matrix already, Skynet.
There’s actually other tech to talk about! I’ll prove it!
Here are the top ten OTHER technologies that will change the economy.
10. Immersive Reality (AR/VR/XR)
What is it? Digital technologies that create interactive 3D environments or overlay information onto the real world. Think “The Sims” but way crazier.
Why does it matter?
Transforms remote work, training, and collaboration.
Creates new platforms for e-commerce, advertising, and entertainment.
Enhances complex, real-world jobs in medicine and engineering.
Key Companies to Watch:
Apple: Pushing high-end "spatial computing" with the Vision Pro.
Meta Platforms: A market leader in VR hardware (Quest) and metaverse platform development.
9. Blockchain & Web3
What is it? A secure digital ledger that records transactions and tracks assets without a central authority. Think Bitcoin…and Fartcoin.
Why does it matter?
Creates transparent and secure supply chains from factory to consumer.
Enables new decentralized finance (DeFi) systems that bypass traditional banks. There are 1.4 billion adults without access to banks - this will help.
Powers digital ownership and new creator-focused economies.
Key Companies to Watch:
Coinbase: A leading cryptocurrency exchange and foundational infrastructure provider for the crypto-economy.
Chainalysis (Private): Provides blockchain data and analysis tools to governments, banks, and businesses.
8. 3D Printing
What is it? A process that builds 3D objects layer-by-layer from a digital file.
Why does it matter?
Accelerates product design, prototyping, and innovation cycles.
Enables on-demand production of highly complex and customized parts.
Decentralizes manufacturing, reducing supply chain dependence.
Key Companies to Watch:
7. Internet of Things (IoT)
What is it? A network of physical objects embedded with sensors that connect and exchange data online.
Why does it matter?
Drives massive efficiency gains through predictive maintenance in industry.
Forms the backbone of smart cities for managing traffic, energy, and services.
Generates vast new data streams for optimizing business operations.
Key Companies to Watch:
6. Advanced Robotics & Automation
What is it? Machines and software that can perform complex physical tasks.
Why does it matter?
It handles tasks that are dangerous or repetitive for humans.
Performs tasks in dangerous environments like deep sea, space, or disaster zones.
Works alongside humans ("cobots") to improve safety and efficiency.
Key Companies to Watch:
5. The Space Economy
What is it? Launching, manufacturing, and operating assets in space. Welcome to the space jam.
Why does it matter?
Satellite mega-constellations can provide global, high-speed internet.
Creates a multi-trillion dollar market in satellite data for climate and agriculture.
Lays the foundation for future industries like in-space manufacturing.
Key Companies to Watch:
SpaceX (Private): Dominates the launch market and operates the Starlink satellite internet constellation.
Rocket Lab: A leader in small-satellite launch and spacecraft manufacturing.
Planet Labs: Operates the largest fleet of Earth observation satellites, providing daily imagery and data.
4. Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials
What is it? Engineering matter at the atomic scale to create materials with powerful new properties.
Why does it matter?
Creates stronger, lighter materials that revolutionize aerospace and electronics.
Drives medical breakthroughs with targeted drug delivery systems.
Improves energy efficiency with better solar cells and batteries.
Key Companies to Watch:
3. Quantum Computing
What is it? A new form of computing that solves immense problems impossible for today's supercomputers.
Why does it matter?
Will discover new drugs and materials by perfectly simulating molecules.
Can optimize global-scale systems like financial markets and logistics.
Threatens current encryption but enables new, unhackable communication.
Key Companies to Watch:
IonQ: A quantum computing company using trapped-ion technology.
Quantinuum (Private): A major integrated quantum company.
2. The New Energy Economy
What is it? The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable generation, energy storage, and smart grids.
Why does it matter?
Represents a historic, multi-trillion-dollar reallocation of capital and jobs.
Makes clean energy the cheapest option, altering global power dynamics.
Boosts energy independence and economic stability for nations.
Key Companies to Watch:
NextEra Energy: One of the world's largest generators of renewable energy.
Tesla: A leader not just in EVs, but also in battery energy storage systems.
1. Biotechnology & Synthetic Biology
What is it? Applying engineering principles to biology to design and build new biological systems.
Why does it matter?
Drives a medical revolution.
Transforms manufacturing.
Key Companies to Watch:
Moderna: A leader in vaccines and therapeutics.
CRISPR Therapeutics: A pioneer in developing gene-based medicines using gene-editing.
Ginkgo Bioworks: Operates a large-scale platform for programming cells.
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