The imminent rise of DARQ technologies As scientific research drives new cross-industry has become undeniable as investments partnerships, organizations are recognizing and research initiatives increase. how important these advancements are for their long-term innovation strategies. Organizations are starting to see AI investment as a core part of their innovation strategies. In NewVantage Partners’ 2019 Big Data Rising demand for cleaner, greener and more powerful energy and AI Executive survey, 96 percent of participating companies said storage solutions is driving cross-industry investment in battery 39 they are investing in AI, compared to less than 70 percent in 2017. and energy grid innovation. In the first half of 2019, organizations And 80 percent said AI is their most important disrupter. invested $350 million in advanced lithium-ion technologies, 44 compared to $600 million for all of 2018. While much of the Growth is forecasted across DARQ technologies. IDC predicts demand comes from the electric car market, investments are that global spending on AI systems will grow at a CAGR of deriving from many other sources, including solar and wind 28 percent between 2018 and 2023, with spending by 2023 power companies and the US Department of Energy.45 40 reaching $97.9 billion. The industry analyst also forecasted 2019 blockchain spending of $2.7 billion—80 percent higher than Collaborative partnerships are also emerging in response to in 2018—and predicts the market to reach $15.9 billion in 2023.41 demand for smart materials in aerospace and defense, but the In AR and VR, spending is predicted to exceed $16 billion for 2019 value of this research could cross industries. According to Grand and $160 billion in 2023.42 View Research, the global market for smart materials is expected to reach $98.2 billion by 2025.46,47 Even in quantum—arguably the most nascent DARQ technology— investment has been growing rapidly. An analysis by Nature found in excess of $450 million in private funding for quantum technology companies in 2017 and 2018, separate from the efforts of major players like Google, Alibaba, IBM, Baidu and Hewlett Packard doing their own research.43