Why are people reconsidering their relationships with Big Tech? How might geopolitics impact innovation? Can digital tools help boost resilience amid uncertainty? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about the shifting role of technology in the wake of the pandemic.

Various beauty trends emerged during the pandemic as people sought creative ways to feel better about themselves in lockdown – and it’s not just skincare routines that they’ve been honing. How are hair care innovations appealing to a growing desire for personalization and holistic wellness?

Still seen as something more suited to a sci-fi film, driverless cars have yet to be embraced by the general public. Halo, an autonomous vehicle company, is looking to change that – building trust with the launch of a driverless car-hailing service and easing people into the innovation.

Design studio Special Projects has unveiled a grocery checkout concept that intelligently moves on screens, creating a clean 'button' space for each customer. With the pandemic prompting people to think more about cleanliness, brands would do well to reassure them with safety innovations.