| Aiman Ezzat Chief Executive Officer, Capgemini

| Jeremy Jurgens Managing Director, World Economic Forum

| Cathy Li Head AI, Data and Metaverse; Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum

We are living through a pivotal moment in technological history where multiple foundational technologies are maturing, combining and accelerating in parallel. From artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to biotechnology and advanced materials, this concurrent movement of technologies is reshaping industries and solving problems once thought impossible. Whether the steam engine, electricity, the computer or even the internet, technological progress has traditionally been framed through the lens of individual breakthroughs. However, today’s complexities necessitate moving to a systems-thinking approach.

Technological progress has historically been framed through the lens of individual breakthroughs, though, as W. Brian Arthur observed in The Nature of Technology, innovations rarely evolve in isolation. Rather, they emerge from combinations of existing technologies to create new possibilities that themselves become building blocks for further innovation.

This systems-based understanding of innovation, when layered with the World Economic Forum’s global multistakeholder perspective and Capgemini’s practical applied insights, led to the development of the 3C Framework. This framework captures how technologies evolve through stages of combination, convergence and compounding in a network-based view that helps organizations identify and capture value at technological intersections.

The insights in this report draw from both qualitative and quantitative sources. The Technology Convergence Community, composed of subject matter experts from the Forum’s global network of business, academia, civil society, public sector leaders, provided domain expertise and case examples. This was complemented by Capgemini’s global survey of 2,000 senior executives across 18 countries, 10 industries and five continents, offering a comprehensive view of convergence patterns and organizational readiness. Together, these insights were cross-referenced with examples of industry transformation and real-world case studies to uncover the implications of convergence for the future of innovation, competitiveness and policy planning. As economic, societal and climate urgencies grow, decision-makers must adopt a full-spectrum approach to innovation that moves beyond segmented thinking and embraces the thoughtful combination of multiple technological capabilities. Recognizing how intersectional technologies give rise to new industries, business models and economic paradigms is essential not only for navigating this rapidly changing environment but also for unlocking new pathways of value creation. By illuminating these technological interdependencies and their business implications, this collaboration aims to equip leaders with the foresight needed to navigate convergence strategically.