About this year ’ s theme
Connectivity
Never have we been more interconnected , more instantaneously enabled , and more empowered by the personal and professional technology at our disposal . The ability to connect from afar with homelands , mother tongues , communities , and loved ones expands possibilities for us as truly global citizens . Digital evolution is the phenomenon of our age . We are always " on ," " wired " together in our global village . This universal connectivity goes from the tangible to the intangible and from the nanoscale to the mega scale .
In the realms of science and innovation , researchers can now collaborate in a multitude of new and seamless ways . Work is accomplished remotely but also collectively to better understand and solve global challenges .
This year ' s topics include :
Cognitive , physical , and social connectivity Advanced networks and communications Cyber threats and cybersecurity Monitoring and mitigating threats ( infectious diseases , misinformation , violence , crises , and disaster ) Machine learning and artificial intelligence The fourth industrial revolution Smart systems and cities