acatech HORIZONS: Overview
Background
In the acatech HORIZONS series, the academy explores important technology fields that are already looming large on the horizon, but where there is still some uncertainty about their potential impacts. Twice-yearly publications address cutting-edge technology fields in a manner that is scientifically robust yet still clear and easy to understand. Informed by the state of the art in international research, development and applications, the publications also consider the technologies’ potential to add value. In addition, the acatech HORIZONS series addresses ethical, policy and social questions, as well as potential developments and ways in which they can be shaped.
In the acatech HORIZONS series, the academy seeks to stimulate discussion of new technologies, identify policy options and formulate recommendations, with the aim of contributing towards a proactive innovation policy.
Topics in the acatech HORIZONS series
- Blockchain (October 2018)
- Cyber Security (July 2019)
- Sustainable Agriculture (December 2019)
- Artificial Intelligence (July 2020)
- Quantum Technologies (December 2020)
- Urban Mining and Circular Economy (May 2021)
- Transforming Mobility (July 2021)
- Biotechnology (February 2022)
acatech HORIZONS Biotechnology
acatech HORIZONS Transformation of Mobility
acatech HORIZONS Urban Mining
acatech HORIZONS Quantum Technologies
acatech HORIZONS Sustainable Agriculture
acatech HORIZONS AI in Industry
acatech HORIZONS Cyber Security
Upcoming Topics
- Hydrogen (May 2023)
Process
For the acatech HORIZONS series, the academy draws on an extensive network of experts from the scientific and business communities in a range of disciplines and industries. Input is provided by leading figures from technology companies and organisations, the start-up community and the major science organisations.
The results are published in two separate formats: a flyer containing the key messages and infographics, and a brochure that presents more detailed information. Additional information is available on the project web site.
The advisory committee for the acatech HORIZONS series was established on 7 November 2017. The committee drew up a list of possible topics for acatech HORIZONS publications based on the results of an acatech survey on technology themes. The advisory committee’s members are leading figures from science, industry and civil society.
The topics proposed by the advisory committee were discussed by the participants in the acatech portfolio conference. On 29 November 2017, acatech’s Executive Board confirmed the selection of Blockchain and Cyber Security as the topics of the first two acatech HORIZONS publications.

Advisory committee members
- Dr. Wolfgang Bronner
BOSCH - Prof. Dr. Horst Eidenmüller
University of Oxford - Dr. Christoph Ettl
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft - Kathrin Falk
ExxonMobil - Christian Gerlich
Holtzbrinck Buchverlage GmbH - Tobias Grimm
Munich Re - Dr. Stefan Heumann
Stiftung Neue Verantwortung - Dr. Ole Janssen
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie - Dr. Christian Kaspar
Accenture - Dr.-Ing. Thomas Kathöfer
AiF – Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen - Konrad Klingenburg
IG Metall - Siegfried Knecht
AIRBUS - Christian Kobsda
Leibniz Gemeinschaft - Elmar König
Leopoldina - Dr.-Ing. Jörn Krupa
Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft - Dr. Michael Metzlaff
Bayer AG - Dr. Volker Meyer-Guckel
Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft - Dr. Rolf Nagel
Munich Venture Partners - Ernst Rauch
Munich Re - Dr. Jeanne Rubner
Bayerischer Rundfunk - Dr. Arnold Sauter
Büro für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag - Dr. Helmut Schönenberger
UnternehmerTUM - Friedrich Schulte
Innogy SE - Volker Stollorz
Science Media Center Germany gGmbH - Dr. Hans Stotz
SAP - Frank Treppe
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft - Dr. Jeroen Verschragen
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - Prof. Dr. Dieter Wegener
SIEMENS - Markus Weißkopf
Wissenschaft im Dialog - Iris Wolf
Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie - Dr.-Ing. Herbert Zeisel
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung - Prof. Dr. Dr. Axel Zweck
VDI Technologiezentrum
New technologies that will have a big impact on society: the advisory committee advises on the themes of acatech’s technology field analyses
While new technologies can transform our economy and society, they are initially only known to the experts. Through its new “acatech technology field analysis” series, acatech aims to communicate and evaluate these new technologies, stimulating public debate about them from an early stage in their development. An advisory committee comprising leading figures from science, industry and government as well as technology communication experts and members of the start-up scene met on 7 November to discuss the topics of the first publications.