Technology assessment for emerging technology
Meeting new demands for strategic intelligence
The rapid pace of technological change, coupled with a pressing need for solutions
to address grand societal challenges and global crises, heightens the challenge for
policy makers to develop science, technology and innovation policies at speed, in
situations of high uncertainty and, in some cases, around potentially controversial
technology fields. Technology assessment (TA) has a long history of providing decision-makers
with timely strategic intelligence on emerging technologies. Current demands are pushing
TA to evolve in order to fulfil diverse functions: to illuminate the societal, economic,
environmental and other consequences of new technologies; to inform public opinion;
and to guide research and development. Drawing on nine case studies, this report analyses
the response of TA practices to these changing drivers and demands to support policies
for new and emerging technologies. It also identifies a set of principles to guide
good contemporary TA practice.
Available from April 26, 2023
In series:OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papersview more titles