Science Innovation Ecosystem

Today we published the WIPO Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, our flagship publication on the state of innovation worldwide. It covers 139 economies with 78 indicators, going beyond intellectual property filings to use economic, social and cultural metrics to capture a fuller picture of a country’s innovation ecosystem – its ability to translate ideas into reality. The GII is a tool to help policymakers, leaders and others to do a deep dive into the state of their country’s innovation ecosystem and find the right policies, programs and practices to support innovators and creators. The latest data shows a broadly positive picture at the global level, including a record $1.3 trillion dollars in corporate R&D spending and an almost 8% rise in venture capital values. Supercomputing continued to forge ahead, powering advances in AI. Genome sequencing costs continued to fall, opening possibilities for personalized medicine. People have become increasingly open to adopting new technologies, with more connectivity, more automation and new forms of health solutions on the rise. Falling costs encourage the take-up of new technology, and 2024 saw a 20% drop in electric battery prices and an 11% drop in the cost of genome sequencing, for example. These all point to an innovation engine that is still humming along. But the fuel that powers this engine is not as abundant as before. Although corporate R&D spending reached new heights, the pace of growth slowed down to just 1% in real terms, the slowest since 2010. Although VC deals rose in value, this centered around a few mega-investments in AI, while the total deal count fell for a third year. The takeaway is clear: innovation needs to continue to be nurtured. Like an engine, it needs to be maintained, supported and updated in order to run at maximum speed. It’s interesting to see in this year’s edition that these policies are paying off for many emerging economies that continue to climb the innovation ladder. Middle-income economies like China, India, Türkiye, Viet Nam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Morocco and Albania are all within the GII top 70, following a decade long trend of improving their innovation performance. Since 2019, others such as Brazil and Mauritius have been among the fastest innovation climbers. Moreover, economies such as Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Malawi outperform on innovation relative to their level of development. I hope you will find the GII’s metrics and insights useful in knowing how better to support innovators, creators and entrepreneurs in your communities, and to build even more vibrant innovation ecosystems. More: https://lnkd.in/ebtKSyDa #WIPO #GlobalInnovationIndex

Great seeing our paper out in Science! Stefano Carattini, John List and I argue that policy evaluation should be combined with a causal analysis of public support. Starting point of our argument is that policies that are generally considered socially desirable by the scientific community are not always popular among voters, because of a lack of understanding or biased beliefs. Congestion charges and carbon taxes are a case in point. However, recent empirical studies have shown that, in cases like these, experiencing the policy may lead voters to correct their beliefs and increase their support. A credible policy evaluation may further help voters to learn about the policy's effects. Our article describes how credible policy evaluation can be fruitfully combined with a causal analysis of public support. If it becomes more widely documented that opposition to sound policies dissipates when voters experience a policy, then policy-makers may be more inclined to experiment with such policies. Learning when and why public support does not increase after policy implementation would be very important as well. Indeed, this may even lead to a change in the consensus about the policy's desirability, for instance when scientists learn that they overlooked some negative aspects of the policy that voters strongly care about. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ed2EAj9G Science Magazine

Is federally funded university research a waste of taxpayer money? Let’s talk return on investment. Over the last 17 years, my lab has received ~$15M in federal research support. Here's what taxpayers got in return: ✅ 44 PhD students, 8 MS students, and nearly 80 undergraduates trained in cutting-edge bioengineering—now leaders in biotech, academia, and public service. ✅ 80+ issued U.S. patents and 200+ peer-reviewed papers, sharing knowledge that improves health and spurs innovation. ✅ 5+ startups launched, raising $150M+ in private investment and creating 150+ high-skilled jobs. ✅ 5+ products commercialized, including IntelliSep, a sepsis test saving lives and reducing hospital costs (~30% mortality reduction, ~$1400 saved per patient). First used in hospitals in Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. That’s just one lab. And that’s just what we can track. The full ripple effect of training, ideas, tools, and technologies created in university labs is far greater. Now, consider this: One F-35 fighter jet engine costs about $14M–$16M—just the engine. A single border wall segment (1 mile) under some contracts has cost $15–$30M For the cost of one jet engine or a half-mile of wall, federal research funding can launch companies, train leaders, save lives, and return 10x in private investment and impact. What’s more capital efficient? What has a longer-lasting impact on society? Federal research funding isn’t charity. It’s one of the smartest, most leveraged investments the U.S. makes. 🔊 If you run a research lab, I encourage you to post your own return on investment from federal research support. Show the public and policymakers just how much value we’re creating—and why this investment in America’s scientific engine is among the most capital-efficient bets our country can make to power it's future. #ScienceFunding #AcademicROI #InnovationEconomy #ResearchImpact #FederalFunding #PublicInvestment #STEM

What strikes me in reading the latest analyses on global catastrophic risks is how clearly they converge on the same diagnosis: 👉 we are facing systemic risks with governance structures designed for a far more stable world. On the Earth system side, science is unequivocal. Climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater stress, nutrient overload and ocean acidification are no longer isolated problems. The Earth system moves as a whole: the loss of a rainforest or a coral reef sends ripples through climate, food, water and energy systems. Fragmented governance cannot manage cascading tipping points. On the global risk and security side :Technological acceleration, geopolitical tensions and institutional inertia are colliding. Risks are emerging faster, interacting more tightly and escalating across domains—from climate and ecosystems to AI, cyber and security—while decision-making remains siloed, reactive and slow. The risks are deeply interconnected and so must be governance. What is needed now is a shift: 1️⃣ From fragmentation to connection and anticipatory stewardship, embedding foresight, early warning and systemic risk management into decision-making. 2️⃣ From erosion to legitimacy, by strengthening international law, accountability and implementation, rules must matter, even when inconvenient. 3️⃣ From imbalance to inclusion, addressing structural power asymmetries so that those most exposed to risk have a real voice in shaping solutions. We cannot manage tomorrow’s risks with yesterday’s rules. https://lnkd.in/e2W_dNbv

Global R&D Is Rising, But the Landscape Is Shifting — Insight from WIPO’s Latest R&D Analysis The latest Innovation Insight Post from WIPO’s Global Innovation Index team offers a compelling snapshot of where global research and development stands — and where it’s heading. https://lnkd.in/e_pQpNZ2 Here are several key facts that should capture the attention of innovation leaders, policy makers, and business strategists: 1️⃣ Global R&D spending keeps climbing • Total world R&D expenditure reached an estimated USD 2.87 trillion in 2024, up from USD 2.78 trillion in 2023 — nearing the USD 3 trillion threshold in constant 2015 PPP terms. • This represents more than a threefold increase since 2000 in real terms — underlining the long-term upward trajectory in research investment. 2️⃣ The global economy is far more research-intensive than ever • R&D intensity (total R&D as a share of GDP) has risen from 1.48% in 2000 to about 2% in 2024, reflecting deeper integration of innovation into economic activity. 3️⃣ Asia now dominates the R&D map • The Asia region (including Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania) accounts for around 42–45% of global R&D in 2024 — a dramatic rise from about 23% in 2000. • This structural shift underscores how innovation investment is migrating toward faster-growth markets and ecosystems. 4️⃣ Rapid growth among emerging economies • Middle-income economies such as Indonesia and Viet Nam have posted strong R&D growth trajectories in recent years, highlighting increasingly diversified sources of global innovation capital. 5️⃣ A realignment among top R&D spenders • China (approx. USD 786 billion) and the United States (approx. USD 782 billion) now lead global R&D expenditure and are nearly neck-and-neck in scale. • Traditional leaders such as Japan and Germany remain significant, but their relative shares have declined compared with earlier decades. 6️⃣ Middle-income innovators are catching up fast • China’s R&D spend has soared from just USD 40.7 billion in 2000 to USD 785.9 billion in 2024, an almost 20-fold increase. • Other middle-income economies — including Türkiye, India and Brazil — feature among the fastest-growing R&D investors over the past two decades. 7️⃣ R&D intensity varies widely across countries • Israel (6.33% of GDP) and the Republic of Korea (5.32%) stand out as innovation leaders with exceptionally high R&D intensity. • In contrast, many economies — including several middle-income ones — still report R&D intensity below 1% of GDP. 8️⃣ Private sector funding is often dominant • In many leading economies, 70–90% of R&D is financed by the private sector — with Israel, Viet Nam and Ireland among the highest in private R&D share. • In other settings, public investment remains central to building foundational research capacity. These trends are worth tracking closely. Nisha Jalan Elisabeth Nindl

If you're an impact startup looking to set up in the UAE, here’s something you should know. I work with many impact-driven entrepreneurs eager to launch or expand in the UAE. But one mistake I see far too often? They try to do it all on their own, overlooking the power of incubators. The UAE has government-backed incubators designed to accelerate startup growth—offering everything from market access and mentorship to investor connections. If you're building a purpose-driven venture, these can be game-changers. Here are four incubators worth exploring: Hub71 (Abu Dhabi) 🔹 Focus: Tech and innovation startups 🔹 Why it matters: A dynamic ecosystem, Hub71 connects startups with investors, corporates, and government entities, providing equity-free incentives, mentorship, and access to global networks. The Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an (Abu Dhabi) 🔹 Focus: Social impact ventures 🔹 Why it matters: Established by the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an supports mission-driven startups tackling social, cultural, and environmental challenges, helping turn ideas into sustainable businesses. in5 Dubai (Dubai) 🔹 Focus: Tech, media, science and design startups 🔹 Why it matters: Backed by TECOM Group, in5 operates innovation hubs in Dubai Internet City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Design District, offering startups access to creative spaces, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) (Sharjah) 🔹 Focus: Early-stage startups across industries 🔹 Why it matters: Supported by the Sharjah government, Sheraa helps startups access investors, mentorship, and workshops—nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Bottom Line: If you're serious about growing your impact startup in the UAE, don’t overlook these incubators. They can fast-track your success and open doors that would take years to unlock on your own. If you found this useful, share it with someone who needs to see it! #ImpactStartups #UAE #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #PurposeDriven #MENAStartups #BusinessForGood

Global science is suffering “immense damage” as hard power and national securitization prevail in today’s geopolitics. “Coercive interventions by national governments pose an existential challenge for higher education.” So says Simon Marginson, professor of higher education at the University of Bristol in this sobering and powerful article for Center for International Higher Education’s International Higher Education Journal. “The most sinister change has been triggered by US/China geopolitics. The government of the United States wants to slow China’s rise by radically reducing cooperation in universities, science, and technology. The strategy is unlikely to succeed—it fosters self-sufficiency in China rather than weakening its science—but has done immense damage, reducing open scientific cooperation to techno-nationalism and national security politics,” he writes. “Coercive interventions by national governments pose an existential challenge for higher education, especially for the leading research universities. To what extent are they willing to operate independently of government in the international context so as to sustain their global mission and the foundational principles of institutional autonomy and academic freedom?” https://lnkd.in/eZ4XHfVB

✨ AI at a crossroads: Can we steer it responsibly? The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) 2025 Presidential Panel on the Future of AI Research lays out a stark reality—AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, but governance, safety, and evaluation mechanisms are struggling to keep up. 🌏 Having worked at the intersection of AI governance, responsible deployment, and multi-agent AI, I see a recurring challenge: we are building AI that is more powerful than our ability to govern it responsibly. 🔬 Key takeaways from the report & my perspective:- ✅ AI Reasoning & Trustworthiness:- While LLMs and Agentic AI are demonstrating emergent reasoning, we lack verifiable correctness. Can we afford AI-driven decision-making without reliability guarantees? ✅ Agentic AI & Multi-Agent Systems:- The integration of LLMs into autonomous, multi-agent AI systems is a double-edged sword. On one hand, these systems offer adaptive, cooperative intelligence—but on the other, they introduce complexity, opacity, and safety risks. We need governance models that balance autonomy and oversight. ✅ Responsible AI Development & Deployment:- Many organizations still focus on post-deployment fixes rather than AI safety by design. Alignment techniques today (RAG, constitutional AI, human feedback) remain fragile. We must shift toward "failsafe AI"—AI that degrades gracefully rather than unpredictably. ✅ AI Ethics & Governance:- AI risks—whether misinformation, deepfakes, or algorithmic bias—are no longer just theoretical. Geopolitical competition for AI dominance could further sideline ethical considerations. It is time for a convergence of policy, technical safety, and corporate governance models to ensure AI serves societal progress, not just market incentives. 👩💻 The Path Forward: A Call for Multidisciplinary Collaboration:- AI governance cannot be an afterthought. It must be woven into the DNA of AI systems—across research, regulation, and deployment. As someone deeply involved in AI governance and policy, I believe the future lies in co-regulation—where industry, academia, and policymakers collaborate proactively rather than reactively. ✨ How do we get there? 1️⃣ Bridging the gap between AI development and policy-making. 2️⃣ Building safety-aligned benchmarks for Agentic AI. 3️⃣ Embedding ethical constraints within AI architectures, not just in guidelines. 💡 AI is no longer just a tool—it is a co-pilot in decision-making, shaping economies, politics, and societies. The question is: can we govern it before it governs us? 🔎 Would love to hear your thoughts! What challenges do you see in ensuring AI remains safe, aligned, and trustworthy? #AIResearch #ResponsibleAI #AITrust #AgenticAI #Governance #AAAI2025 #AISafety #AIRegulation #EthicalAI

📘 The 2025 Canon: Themes Emerging from 85 Books on Technology, Innovation & Governance 👉 Every week, I track and curate 20 newly published books, papers, and developments across technology, innovation, institutional reform, and governance—sifting through hundreds of titles to separate signals from noise. (See https://thelivinglib.org/) From that curation emerged a 2025 Canon of 85 books that, when taken together, offer a snapshot of where we are—and where we might be heading. (See https://lnkd.in/e7CHpdpb) 🤔 What stands out this year is a shared anxiety across disciplines: a growing sense that we are confronting a “governance gap.” We are trying to manage 21st-century technologies with 20th-century institutional logics—and the friction is becoming untenable. Across the 85 books, seven themes defined the year: 1️⃣ From Ethics to Architecture: The AI debate is shifting from abstract principles to institutional design, standards, and enforcement—from “what should be” to “how to build it.” 2️⃣ The Political Economy of Technology: The myth of technological neutrality is gone. Authors focus sharply on power, ownership, infrastructure control, and allocation of benefits. 3️⃣ The Crisis of Legitimacy: Governing with people, not just for them, dominates conversations. Citizens’ assemblies, participatory data stewardship, and new forms of social license feature prominently. 4️⃣ Data as Public Utility: Data is increasingly framed not just as an asset, but as social infrastructure—essential for economic resilience, scientific progress, and cultural preservation. 5️⃣ Diagnosing Institutional Decay: Several books take a sober look at how polarization, misinformation, and institutional fragility undermine our capacity to govern technology effectively. 6️⃣ Re-centering Human Agency: Ironically, the rise of AI has led to a renewed focus on judgment, wisdom, community, and meaning—the human capabilities machines cannot replicate. 7️⃣ The Imperative to Connect: The silo era is ending. Interoperability, standards, and coordination emerge as prerequisites for progress across sectors and systems. 💻 Full list of all 85 curated 2025 books and the emerging themes: https://lnkd.in/e7CHpdpb ➡️ If you want to follow these signals as they emerge, you can subscribe to my weekly Digest: https://lnkd.in/egB4pfJz #endofyear #2025 #data #ai #artificialintelligence #democracy #citizen #humancentric #datagovernance

As a product leader, I spend a lot of time thinking about innovation — not the flashy kind with buzzwords and pitch decks, but the kind that tackles real, messy, urgent problems head-on. One of the most formative chapters of my career was building Financial Inclusion products. 💡Some of the boldest, most ingenious innovations are being driven out of emerging economies. These aren’t markets “catching up.” They are leapfrogging — fueled by constraint, necessity, and deep local insight. Some amazing examples are 💡M-PESA Africa, turning basic mobile phones into financial lifelines in Kenya 💡Aadhar Card, giving over a billion people in India a verifiable digital identity 💡Tala, unlocking microcredit for the underbanked in places like the Philippines, Kenya, and Mexico — using just smartphone data and behavioral insights and many many more.. These aren't just clever workarounds. They’re groundbreaking models that are influencing how we think about scale, access, and design — globally. As builders, technologists, and strategists, we often talk about “first principles thinking” and “user-centric design.” Emerging economies are living laboratories for both. Want to go deeper? Some book recommendations 📚The Prosperity Paradox 📚Jugaad Innovation 📚Reverse Innovation #innovation #productmanagement #productleadership