Predicted tech of the year 2024

I thought AI would be the next big thing, but returning to basic human needs seems more important now

BRAIN FOODS

Natalie

6/9/20241 min read

a computer generated image of the letter a
a computer generated image of the letter a
I thought AI would be the next big thing, but returning to basic human needs seems more important now. This is why GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity are predicted to be the Tech of the Year 2024 (by Scott Galloway in OMR24)

It's no surprise considering the healthcare sector is always a "blue-chip" industry, and diabetes is a major health crisis. The GLP-1 drug mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, regulating appetite and blood sugar levels. With obesity affecting over 537 million adults globally, according to the International Diabetes Federation, the demand for effective treatments is ever-growing.

Companies like Novo Nordisk have experienced significant growth. Their GLP-1 drugs have seen a surge of over 40% in the past year. In contrast, alcohol and tobacco companies such as Altria and British American Tobacco, have faced declines of around 10% and 15%, Heineken reporting a decrease in net profits by 23% and Diageo experiencing a 3.5% drop in sales.

I'm happy to see this shift. It got me thinking about what "Same as ever" problem to solve (concept from Morgan Housel book) should we focus on instead of chasing the latest "shiny objects."