Tomorrow's Technologies
Choose a technology that's changing the world, investigate how it works and where it's heading, and present a clear, balanced view of its future — both the promise and the problems.
What you'll do
You'll choose one emerging technology — for example artificial intelligence, blockchain, renewable energy, 5G, or virtual reality — and become the person who can explain it clearly to everyone else.
Over about four weeks you'll research its history, its uses today, and its future, then present a 5–7 minute talk with a short question-and-answer session. Finally, you'll write a short reflection on what you learned.
The best talks are balanced. Every technology brings advantages and risks — showing both sides is what makes you sound like a real expert, not an advert.
How to do the project
Work through these six steps over the four weeks. The structure does a lot of the work for you — research into the six parts, and your talk almost writes itself.
Choose your technology
Pick one emerging technology that genuinely interests you — curiosity makes the research far easier.
- Choose from AI, blockchain, renewable energy, 5G, or VR/AR — or another your teacher approves.
- If you're in a group, agree roles and which part each person leads.
- Pick something you can find good, recent information about.
Investigate the full story
Research your technology in three directions: where it came from, what it does now, and where it's going.
- History — when and why it was developed.
- Current applications — real ways it's used today, with examples.
- Future potential — what it might do in the years ahead.
- Impact — its advantages and its risks for society.
Organise the six parts
Shape your findings into a clear, professional structure. This is the exact order your audience expects.
- 1. Introduction — name the technology and why you chose it.
- 2. History · 3. Current applications · 4. Future potential.
- 5. Societal impact — advantages and disadvantages.
- 6. Conclusion — your opinion on its future value.
Create your slides
Build at least five clear slides — roughly one per part of your structure.
- Use keywords and images, not long paragraphs.
- Add a diagram or chart to explain how the technology works.
- Keep one consistent style across all slides.
Rehearse and prepare for questions
Practise the talk, and prepare for the two-minute question session that follows it.
- Practise out loud and time it: aim for 5–7 minutes.
- Write down three questions you might be asked, and plan your answers.
- In a group, agree who answers which type of question.
Present, then reflect
Deliver your talk, take questions, and afterwards write a short reflection on the experience.
- Present clearly and confidently, then run your 2-minute Q&A.
- Write a 300–500 word reflective essay on what you learned and how your team worked.
- Be honest about what went well and what you'd do differently.
Your project must include
Use this as a final checklist. Every item here is something your teacher will be looking for.
Grading rubric
Four areas make up your final mark, and they're weighted — see the percentages. Read the "4 points" column first; that's what top work looks like in each area.
| Area (with weight) | 4Excellent | 3Good | 2Developing | 1Needs work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ResearchDepth & sources30% | Thorough research from reliable, recent sources; accurate and balanced. | Good research from solid sources. | Limited research, or weak/old sources. | Little research; noticeably inaccurate. |
| CollaborationTeamwork20% | Well-organised teamwork; everyone contributes equally. | Good teamwork; mostly balanced. | Uneven contribution across the group. | One or two people do almost everything. |
| PresentationDelivery, structure & Q&A30% | Clear, confident, well-structured; strong slides; answers questions well. | Clear and structured, with helpful slides. | Hesitant, or weak structure and visuals. | Hard to follow; struggles with questions. |
| Reflective EssayInsight & language20% | Thoughtful, specific reflection in clear, accurate English (300–500 words). | Solid reflection with only minor errors. | Basic or vague reflection. | Very short or unclear; off the point. |
Everything you need to succeed
A model talk you can open part by part, the vocabulary to explain technology clearly, and the phrases that move you from past to present to future.
Sample talk — artificial intelligence
This shows the six-part structure in action. Notice how the tense changes with each part — past for history, present for today, future forms for what's ahead.
Intro & history Past
"Today I'm going to talk about artificial intelligence, or AI. The idea began in the 1950s, when scientists first asked whether machines could 'think'. For decades it developed slowly, until powerful computers and huge amounts of data changed everything."
Current uses Present
"Today, AI is used almost everywhere. For example, it recommends videos, translates languages, and helps doctors read medical scans. In other words, it's already part of daily life, even when we don't notice it."
Future & impact Future · pros & cons
"In the future, AI may drive our cars and discover new medicines. One major advantage is that it can do dangerous or boring work for us. On the other hand, it could replace jobs and be used unfairly, so it must be used responsibly."
Conclusion Your opinion
"In my opinion, AI will be one of the most important technologies of our lifetime — powerful, but only as good as the rules we give it. Thank you for listening — I'm happy to take your questions."
Technology vocabulary
Precise words and the right tenses are what earn marks for language. Swap in terms for your own technology.
How it works
Time & tenses
Pros & cons
Useful phrases for your talk
Learn a few from each group. The tense changes as you move through the parts of your talk.
Past & present
- "The idea began in / was developed in…"
- "Today, it is used to…"
- "Nowadays, more and more people…"
Talking about the future
- "In the future, it may / could…"
- "Experts predict that…"
- "It's likely to…"
Advantages & disadvantages
- "One major advantage is…"
- "On the other hand, a risk is…"
- "However, we should remember that…"
Opinion & questions
- "In my opinion, …"
- "To conclude, …"
- "That's a good question — I think…"
Become a better presenter and researcher
This project sharpens two skills that matter in any field: explaining something complex so clearly that anyone understands it, and judging whether a source actually knows what it's talking about.
Sound like you understand it
The test of real understanding is whether you can explain a hard idea in simple words — and answer questions about it. These habits get you there.
- Explain it to a 10-year-old. If you can make your technology simple, you truly understand it. Drop the jargon, or define it when you use it.
- Use an everyday comparison. "The internet is like a postal system for data." A good analogy makes a complex idea instantly clear.
- Stay balanced. Naming both the benefits and the risks makes you sound like an expert, not a salesperson.
- Rehearse your Q&A. Write the three questions you'd least like to be asked, and prepare a calm answer for each.
- "That's a good question…" buys you time. If you're stuck, repeat the question, then answer. It's better than panicking.
Time your run-through
Rehearse the talk out loud and press start. Aim for the green zone: 5 to 7 minutes (the Q&A comes after).
Six parts in 5–7 minutes is about a minute each — don't let the history run away with your time.
Understand it before you explain it
Technology is full of hype and adverts pretending to be facts. A good researcher can tell the difference. These habits help.
- Prefer sources that explain how it works. A real explanation beats a flashy claim about how amazing something is.
- Spot the advert. A company selling a product is not a neutral source. Use it for facts, not for opinions.
- Check the date. In tech, two years is a long time. Make sure your "future" isn't already the past.
- Find both sides. If a source only lists benefits, go and find the risks somewhere else.
- Confirm the key claims. Big claims need a second reliable source before you put them in your talk.
Can I trust this source?
Found an article about your technology? Tick everything below that is true about it. Your verdict updates as you go.
Explore the future
You've got the steps, the structure, the language, and the rubric. Pick your technology, research both sides, and explain it so clearly that your class leaves understanding it too.