SOME TECHNOLOGY HOT SPOTS

U.S.

TODAY: The world's hotbed for creation of digital technology, from wireless communications to multimedia. No. 1 in basic science, biotech, microprocessors, and environmental technologies.

FUTURE: Importance of software plays to American strength. Relatively weak public schooling could pinch.

WESTERN EUROPE

TODAY: Excellence in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, transportation, and basic science.

FUTURE: Europe must loosen constrictive regulations and speed the transition to the digital era.

EASTERN EUROPE

TODAY: Pockets of skilled scientists and engineers, such as Hungarian mathematicians and Bulgarian computer scientists.

FUTURE: Strong education and a better investment climate should help.

LATIN AMERICA

TODAY: Generally the region has little homegrown technology leadership.

FUTURE: Latin America is absorbing high-tech investment even faster, per capita, than Pacific Rim countries. That bodes well for the long term.

ISRAEL

TODAY: A wealth of mathematical expertise makes Israel a powerhouse in chip design and digital imaging.

FUTURE: Peace could enable Israel to convert world-class military technology to civilian purposes.

RUSSIA

TODAY: Strengths in physics, mathematics, and aerospace and metallurgy. But the infrastructure is crumbling.

FUTURE: Challenge will be supporting world-class science and technology with developing-world national income.

SOUTH KOREA

TODAY: Has moved to the front ranks in memory chips and is pushing hard in areas such as consumer electronics and factory automation.

FUTURE: Can government-guided chaebols work in a more complex economy?

JAPAN

TODAY: Along with the U.S., one of the giants. Japan continues to lead the world in manufacturing knowhow, miniaturization, low-power lasers, memory chips, and computer displays.

FUTURE: Needs to catch up in computer networking, application software, and systems integration.

CHINA

TODAY: Not yet a world leader in domestically developed technology. China has emerged as a low-cost manufacturing powerhouse.

FUTURE: Will continue to acquire higher-tech production skills.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

TODAY: The region is rapidly moving from low-skill manufacturing to product design: Malaysia in chip packaging, Singapore in software, Hong Kong in consumer electronics, Taiwan in personal computer technology.

FUTURE: Taiwan is taking a stab at aerospace, while Singapore pursues biotechnology.

INDIA

TODAY: Sheltered industries are below world class, but Bangalore has emerged as a leading center for software development.

FUTURE: Government reforms opening the economy could trigger a surge in Indian technology.