Guest Editor Tanya writes:

I love a bit of technology. It makes me feel safe. I’m glad that there are inspiring, infinitely clever people out there continually making, refining and dreaming up new things to make us happier, cleverer, wealthier, and anything in between. From the app that makes sure your computer doesn’t fall asleep whilst watching movies, to the robots that help paralyzed people use only their thoughts to move a robotic arm, technology is being developed every day that is set to change and shape our lives.

That’s why I was particularly interested to read about this year’s crop of newly minted ‘technology pioneers’. Each year the World Economic Forum selects a number of companies that it feels are making a major technological innovations in their respective fields. Spanning information technology, telecommunications and new media, energy and environment, and life sciences and health, they’re the companies pushing boundaries and challenging established thinking.

This year’s crop are amazing. From the company that has developed a ‘Milk Chiller‘ to keep rural Indian farmers from losing thousands in spoilt produce, to the company that helps young children understand the power of technology whilst having fun along the way, every selection is inspiring and laden with the promise of a brave new world. This year’s selection seems focused on earth sustaining technologies, both physical and economic with particular reference to free access and open source platforms. It makes me feel like we’re finally saving the world. But maybe that just my mindless optimism and blind faith in technology.

Anyhow, make up your own mind. The report is here in full.