Continuing the conversation around what is expected to be the top industry technology trends for 2024, Accelerate host Rob Grimes shifts his focus this week to technology influencers. Influencers, according to Rob, is more than just individual people. Rather, it’s individual focus areas that influence what happens to technology and innovation in general. But it is the Futurists that predict the future and set the path to get there. Rob breaks down influencers into two types - vertical and horizontal. Horizontal influencers are global industries that fund technology innovation - namely military, healthcare and education. Vertical influencers are the areas of technology that cut across all tech such as big data, social media, e-commerce, communications. These silos provide data and research which ultimately drives innovation. Focusing back on the Futurists, Rob discusses their larger technology predictions. Nano technology, the concept of higher power coming in the form of smaller and smaller microchips, is something which is constantly evolving. Communication technologies are helping to bridge the gap of global communications, and many predict will soon allow us to smoothly communicate with anyone across the globe. Immersive technologies such as the meta-verse of e-learning (digital classroom) are making their impact emotionally and philosophically based upon an individual’s personal and professional life - another trend which is expected to grow. If you want to hear about the innovations taking place in these industries, or want to know what the Futurists are predicting to be the top trends that will impact food and beverage technology in 2024, take a listen to this episode of Accelerate.