Final answer:
Emerging technologies present risks such as widening the digital divide, increasing security vulnerabilities, and diminishing the relevance of patents due to rapid innovation. The unpredictability of tech developments and their universal availability post-invention leads to complex decisions around R & D investment and government support.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emerging technologies pose a material adverse effect on Registrants because they can lead to a digital divide, add security risks, and make existing patents irrelevant due to the rapid pace of technological advancements. Companies face the challenge of balancing research and development (R & D) investments with the uncertainty of technological futures and the potential for broad technology dissemination that can diminish the incentive to invest. Furthermore, disasters and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure underscore the importance of managing the risks associated with technology dependency.
In high-technology industries such as biotechnology and semiconductor design, the swift progression of technology can render patents almost meaningless, as new innovations may outpace the protection patents offer. Corporations are also faced with the difficulty of establishing ethical practices as they relate to emerging technologies, considering their impact on social, economic, and environmental issues. Lastly, the unpredictability of technological development and its widespread availability upon invention increase the pressure on governments to support R & D investments to maintain technological growth.