High technology (high tech or high-tech), also known as advanced technology (advanced tech) or exotechnology,[1][failed verification] is technology that is at the cutting edge: the highest form of technology available.[2] It can be defined as either the most complex or the newest technology on the market.[3] The opposite of high tech is low technology, referring to simple, often traditional or mechanical technology; for example, a slide rule is a low-tech calculating device.[4][5][6] When high tech becomes old, it becomes low tech, for example vacuum tube electronics. Further, high tech is related to the concept of mid-tech, that is a balance between the two opposite extreme qualities of low-tech and high tech. Mid-tech could be understood as an inclusive middle that combines the efficiency and versatility of digital/automated technology with low-tech's potential for autonomy and resilience.[7]
Startups working on high technologies (or developing new high technologies) are sometimes referred to as deep tech; the term may also refer to disruptive innovations or those based on scientific discoveries.[8]
High tech, as opposed to high-touch, may refer to self-service experiences that do not require human interaction.[9]
The phrase was used in a 1958 The New York Times story advocating "atomic energy" for Europe: "... Western Europe, with its dense population and its high technology ...."[10] Robert Metz used the term in a financial column in 1969, saying Arthur H. Collins of Collins Radio "controls a score of high technology patents in a variety of fields"[11] and in a 1971 article used the abbreviated form, "high tech".[12]
A widely used classification of high-technological manufacturing industries was provided by the OECD in 2006.[13] It is based on the intensity of research and development activities used in these industries within OECD countries, resulting in four distinct categories.[14]
Today, high tech is a significant part of several economies. The Israeli economy has the highest ratio in the world, with the high tech sector accounting for 20% of the economy. High tech makes up 9.3% of the American economy according to Statista[15] and CTech.[16]
Multiple cities and hubs have been described as global startup ecosystems. GSER publishes a yearly ranking of global startup ecosystems.[17][18] The study does yearly reports ranking the top 40 global startup hubs.[19]
Rank | Change
from 2023 |
Hub |
---|---|---|
1 | Sillicon Valley | |
2 | London | |
2 | New York City | |
4 | (1) | Tel Aviv |
4 | Los Angeles | |
6 | Boston | |
7 | (1) | Singapore |
8 | (1) | Beijing |
9 | (3) | Seoul |
10 | (5) | Tokyo |
11 | (2) | Shanghai |
12 | (1) | Washington, D.C. |
13 | (1) | Amsterdam-Delta |
14 | (4) | Paris |
15 | (2) | Berlin |
16 | (7) | Miami |
17 | (2) | Chicago |
18 | (1) | Toronto-Waterloo |
19 | (3) | San Diego |
20 | (10) | Seattle |
21 | Bengaluru-Karnataka | |
21 | Sydney | |
23 | Stockholm | |
24 | Delhi | |
25 | (2) | Philadelphia |
26 | São Paulo | |
27 | Austin | |
28 | (7) | Shenzhen |
29 | Atlanta | |
30 | Denver-Boulder | |
31 | (5) | Zurich |
32 | (1) | Melbourne |
33 | (4) | Munich |
34 | Vancouver | |
35 | Salt Lake-Provo | |
36 | (2) | Hangzhou |
37 | Mumbai | |
38 | Dallas | |
39 | (1) | Montreal |
40 | (1) | Copenhagen |
40 | Greater Helsinki |
The following is a list of the 15 largest exporting countries of high tech products by value in millions of United States dollars, according to the United Nations.[20]
# | Country | Value | Year |
---|---|---|---|
1 | China | 769,699.28 | 2022 |
2 | Germany | 223,370.84 | 2022 |
3 | Hong Kong | 194,079.88 | 2022 |
4 | United States | 166,435.57 | 2022 |
5 | Vietnam | 122,993.36 | 2022 |
6 | South Korea | 98,537.98 | 2022 |
7 | France | 95,753.98 | 2022 |
8 | Singapore | 94,102.98 | 2022 |
9 | Netherlands | 92,149.42 | 2022 |
10 | Mexico | 85,898.58 | 2022 |
11 | Japan | 83,102.74 | 2022 |
12 | Ireland | 80,006.33 | 2022 |
13 | Switzerland | 77,973.73 | 2022 |
14 | United Kingdom | 72,663.09 | 2022 |
15 | Malaysia | 66,214.45 | 2022 |