Technology and innovation: our 5 top stories from 2023

December 20, 2023 by World Economic Forum 1 Comment

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum.

Author: Joe Myers, Writer, Forum Agenda

It has been a transformative year in the fields of technology and innovation, from the rise of artificial intelligence to the metaverse.
Here, we look back at some of the extraordinary moments and pioneering breakthroughs that have reshaped the landscape over the past 12 months.
Read on for some of the most popular stories of the year from the World Economic Forum’s blog, Agenda.

When it comes to technology, the innovation that probably comes to mind for 2023 would be artificial intelligence (AI).

From regulation and governance to its impact on the world of work, there’s no doubt that AI has dominated a lot of tech thinking this year – but it’s not alone.

As we head towards 2024, here’s a look back at some of our most popular Agenda pieces on technology from 2023.

AI and jobs

Generative AI’s impact on the world of work, the skills we’ll need for the future, and the potential disruption to jobs has been a hot topic this year.

At the World Economic Forum, our Future of Jobs Report 2023 looked at the trends shaping the future of work – including artificial intelligence. The report explored the jobs that it’s set to create – and the ones we might lose as a result.

These are the jobs most likely to be lost – and created – because of AI

Fastest growing vs fastest declining jobs — AI and machine-learning specialist roles are growing fast. Image: World Economic Forum

Top 10 emerging technologies

Physical and digital technologies are set to shape our world in the future, and our Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2023 report explores the tech – and sectors – set to transform how we live.

From sustainable aviation fuel to spatiotemporal omics and sustainable computing, these are the technologies that everyone from policymakers to police officers should be aware of.

These are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2023: Here’s how they can impact the world

Governing artificial intelligence

A key part of the conversation around artificial intelligence has been the need for governance.

Numerous countries have been looking at regulations around AI and how to make sure it’s used responsibly. The Forum also hosted an AI Governance Summit in November, alongside the launch of a series of governance recommendations earlier in the year.

You can find out more about the work being done on regulations by reading our explainer on EU efforts from June.

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, explained

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4r4jZvDLLjcErnmYAxHJ2H

Demystifying the metaverse

While the metaverse perhaps hasn’t been as hot a topic as last year, there’s no doubt that it remains a technology to watch.

In July, we explored the potential of the metaverse to rebuild trust that has been lost in the internet. Building in societal, ethical and human factors, and improving global governance, has the potential to ensure these new technologies have a positive impact on our lives.

Could the metaverse be more trustworthy than our current internet?

Tech that’s transforming industries

We welcomed another 100 tech firms to our Technology Pioneers community this year. From carbon capture to new technologies to separate hydrogen from water, these innovators are helping tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Read all about the latest cohort, and how they’re using tech for good, in our piece from the launch in June.

Meet the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers of 2023

Discover more from The European Sting - Critical News & Insights on European Politics, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Business & Technology - europeansting.com

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour People living in Gaza have received humanitarian aid from the UN throughout the conflict with Israel.

UN relief chief condemns ‘$1 billion-a-day’ cost of war in Middle East

March 12, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring and aid funding is falling dangerously short. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency […]

© UNICEF/Azizullah Karimi Afghan returnees from Iran gather at the Islam-Border, near Herat in western Afghanistan (file).

‘Toxic rain’ warning from oil depot strikes amid ongoing Middle East war

March 11, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to aid supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UN Human […]

© UNHCR People gather at the Masnaa border point in Lebanon as they wait to cross into Syria.

Nearly 700,000 displaced in Lebanon as Middle East crisis escalates

March 10, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On day 10 of the war engulfing the Middle East, UN agencies on Monday reported massive displacement across the region, along with surging food and fuel prices that risk increasing hunger and suffering for the most vulnerable. In Lebanon alone, nearly 700,000 people including around 200,000 children […]

UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz Smoke rises in Beirut, Lebanon, following the outbreak of hostilities across the Middle East.

Lebanon ‘dragged back into turmoil’, UN envoy warns

March 9, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Lebanon has been “dragged back into a state of turmoil and violence”, the UN’s top envoy in the country warned on Saturday, after the latest round of regional strikes triggered a fast‑escalating crisis along the Blue Line. What had been fragile but real momentum, she said, has […]

UNHCR Smoke rises after an airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon.

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue across Middle East as humanitarian concerns grow

March 6, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Highlights Production team: Vibhu Mishra with Daniel Johnson in GenevaToday 12:15 μ.μ. UN rights office warns displacement orders in Lebanon affecting hundreds of thousands The UN human rights office has warned that large-scale displacement orders and ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are worsening the suffering of civilians already affected […]

© UNICEF/Ramzi Haidar Destroyed buildings and debris in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, following airstrikes.

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Further escalation drives uncertainty and suffering

March 6, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On day six of the war in the Middle East, there’s been no let-up in bombs, drones and rockets targeting Iran, Israel, Lebanon and many Gulf States, while NATO forces reportedly intercepted a missile fired at Türkiye by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran. We’ll bring you […]

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Conflict continues across region amid US, Israeli and Iranian strikes

March 5, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Violence in the Middle East is continuing into a fifth day, with US and Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks reported across several countries in the region. The escalating confrontation is disrupting airspace, transport and daily life while raising fears of a wider […]

© IAEA/Paolo Contri The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran.

Iran crisis: Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced and aid compromised

March 4, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs. UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani also recalled […]

© Unsplash/Kamran Gholami Tehran, the capital of Iran. (file photo)

MIDDLE EAST LIVE: Strikes continue from US, Israel and Iran as UN urges restraint

March 3, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Violent escalation in the Middle East has entered a third day as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue to cause loss of life and damage across the region, prompting Iranian missile and drone counter-strikes hitting targets in multiple countries. Explosions, airspace […]

Deadly bombing of Iran primary school ‘a grave violation of humanitarian law’: UNESCO

March 2, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN education agency, UNESCO, says that the bombing of a primary school during the US and Israeli military attacks on Iran on Saturday constitutes a grave violation of humanitarian law. The missiles reportedly destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150 and […]

© UNRCO Iran Tehran, the capital of Iran.

Attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes ‘undermine international peace and security’

March 1, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the heads of UN agencies have condemned Saturday’s joint Israeli and US attacks on Iran and the Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel and the Gulf Regions. The attack on Iran reportedly targeted military sites as well as the leadership of the Iranian […]

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour A woman holds a child as a storm approaches Khan Younis in Gaza.

Palestine: UN rights chief highlights suffering, atrocity crimes ‘that remain unpunished

February 27, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN rights chief Volker Türk on Thursday highlighted the “human-made disaster” across the Occupied Palestinian Territory stemming from Israel’s disregard for human rights norms and serious violations also committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Citing a new report from his office (OHCHR) covering the […]

Ángela Soria Pitarch was born on March 28, 2003. She is currently a fifth-year medical student at the University of Valencia.

Not the Future, the Present: Young Voices Shaping Global Health in 2026

February 26, 2026

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Ángela Soria Pitarch was born on March 28, 2003. She is currently a fifth-year medical student at the University of Valencia. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to […]

© UNOCHA Many rural areas of Ukraine have been blasted by shelling and drone strikes. The country is also one of the most mined in the world, top UN aid officials warn.

Ukraine wakes to more violence as Russia’s invasion enters fifth year

February 25, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops on 24 February 2022 shattered the peaceful aspirations of an entire continent, but war must never be the new normal, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. “Four years ago, people in Europe woke up in another […]

Fokah Wembe Darrell Dupray is a 4th-year medical student at Université des Montagnes, Bangangté Cameroon and a student leader within the Cameroon Medical Students’ Association (CAMSA).

From Local Barriers to Global Lessons: Practical Paths Toward Inclusive Healthcare

February 23, 2026

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Zainatun Nawwariyah is a fifth-year medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatera, who is passionate about advancing medicine through research, advocacy, and service. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed […]

© UNICEF/Bullen Chol A grandmother takes care of her 17-month-old malnourished grandson in South Sudan.

World News in Brief: UN humanitarian chief visits South Sudan, shelter fire risks in Gaza, West Bank violence

February 23, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator arrived in South Sudan on Friday to visit one of the most under-reported humanitarian crises in the world, as clashes between government and opposition forces continue in Jonglei state. Tom Fletcher will focus on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the world’s youngest country and escalating protection risks for both civilians and aid workers. […]

Ukraine’s women at breaking point after four years of war as attacks on energy, healthcare continue – UN humanitarians

February 21, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, millions in Ukraine struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes, with the crisis taking a particular toll on women, humanitarians warned on Friday. Freshly back from a visit to the country UN Women’s Chief of Humanitarian Action Sofia […]

Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report

February 20, 2026

This article is published in association with United Nations. Increased Israeli attacks and the forced transfer of Palestinians have sparked concern over ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday. The report covers the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 and is […]

Samaya Rahimova is a public health student at the Azerbaijan Medical University and an active member of SCOPH at Azermeds

Inclusive Healthcare Fails When We Design for the “Average Patient”

February 19, 2026

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Samaya Rahimova , a public health student at the Azerbaijan Medical University and an active member of SCOPH at Azermeds. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer […]