Being a part of so many industries means that GE will have to adapt to a multitude of disruptive trends over the coming decade. While described in detail within Quantumrun’s special reports, these disruptive trends can be summarized along the following broad points (here, focusing just on the energy and aviation sectors):

*First off, the most obvious disruptive trend is the shrinking cost and increasing energy generating capacity of renewable sources of electricity, such as wind, tidal, geothermal and (especially) solar. The economics of renewables are advancing at such a rate that further investments into more traditional sources of electricity, such as coal, gas, petroleum, and nuclear, are becoming less competitive in many parts of the world.

*Concurrent with the growth of renewables is the shrinking cost and increasing energy storing capacity of utility-scale batteries that can store electricity from renewables (like solar) during the day for release during the evening.

*The energy infrastructure in much of North America and Europe is decades old and is currently in the two-decade-long process of being rebuilt and reimagined. This will result in the installation of smart grids that are more stable and resilient, and will spur the development of a more efficient and decentralized energy grid in many parts of the world.

*Advances in nanotech and material sciences will result in a range of new construction materials that are stronger, lighter, heat and impact resistant, shapeshifting, among other exotic properties. These new materials will allow for the creation of a range of commercial products.

*The plummeting price and increasing energy capacity of solid-state batteries will result in a greater adoption of electric-powered commercial aircraft and combat vehicles. This shift will lead to significant fuel cost savings for short haul, commercial airlines.

*Significant innovations in aeronautical engine design will reintroduce hypersonic airliners for commercial use that will finally make such travel economical for airlines and consumers.

*The shrinking cost and increasing functionality of advanced manufacturing robotics will lead to further automation of factory assembly lines, thereby improving manufacturing quality and costs.

*The shrinking cost and increasing computational capacity of artificial intelligence systems will lead to its greater use across a number of applications, especially drone air, land, and sea vehicles for commercial applications.