Think tank makes 2014 predictions

Home > Business > Industry

print dictionary print

Think tank makes 2014 predictions

A growing regional conflict triggered by a weakened U.S. military presence internationally topped the 10 global trends of 2014, as predicted by the Hyundai Research Institute.

The local research institute forecast in a report yesterday that the continuing emergence of China will further limit the power of the United States to be assertive in brokering global conflicts. That will help make regional conflicts over land and resources more frequent in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Economically, however, the United States will continue gaining influence, the institute said. Japan and Europe will also join the United States in a comeback by advanced economies.

The growth of humanoid robots was another prediction made by the institute. The institute said robots that teach themselves, make judgments and can communicate will make their presence felt, beginning in the next year. Such robots will improve lifestyles and industrial productivity but could also create moral and social controversies.

The report also said that a revolutionary change would begin in digital materials next year, thanks to the development of nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Chinese tourists have proven a boon for Korea, but it will become more difficult for Korea to lure them in 2014, the research institute predicted. China’s tourism power will grow, but it will lose influence as the world’s largest manufacturer, according the Hyundai Institute report.

By Moon Gwang-lip [joe@joongang.co.kr]
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)