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Thanks to Computerworld we learn that Thomas Fingar, deputy director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the body that oversees all U.S intelligence agencies, spoke this month before a gathering of intelligence analysts on ‘Global Trends 2025′,  a forecast prepared by U.S. intelligence agencies. In his remarks he discussed six emerging disruptive technologies that will have a major impact on the U.S. and the world. Health concerns, of course, are front and center.

1. Biogerontechnology involves technologies that improve lifespan. Think of Dorian Gray. If people are living longer and healthier lives, it will challenge nations to develop new economic and social policies for an older and healthier population.
2. Energy storage systems, such as fuel cells and ultracapacitors, would replace fossil fuels.
3. Crop-based biofuels and chemicals production, which will reduce gasoline dependence.
4. Clean coal technologies can improve electrical generation efficiency and reduce pollutants.
5. Robots have the potential to replace humans in a number of industries, ranging from the military to health care.
6. Internet pervasiveness will be in everyday objects, such as food packages, furniture and paper documents. It will also streamline supply chains, slash costs “and reduce dependence on human labor.”