Use technology as force of good to build sustainable global economy

THE second decade in the current millennium comes to an end with lots of uncertainty as well as hope.

Uncertainties such as the trade spat between the United States and China, as well as the looming climate crisis as countries fall behind in their implementation of the sustainable development goals for 2030 (adopted by the UN member nations in 2015) will continue to be a major source of worry. Food security will remain a major cause for concern in large parts of the world.

Ironically, many of the problems the world will face in 2020 and beyond have been indirectly caused by technology innovation that has changed lives and economies at a frantic pace - and often in an unsustainable manner. The hope lies in the fact that these same problems can be tackled and reversed by the proper use of technology. The new year and new decade will decide whether technology will consume us, or lead to better lives and outcomes in the 21st century.