Reviews of Critical and Emerging Technologies for Applied System Innovation

A special issue of Applied System Innovation (ISSN 2571-5577).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 20

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Interests: AI algorithms; foundational models; neuromorphic AI; vector symbolic architectures; AI robotics; sparse distrubutions; graph learning; causal AI; agentic AI; responsible AI for sustainable development; AI personalisation; AI applications in energy, health, teaching; AI ethics and regulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) are a subset of advanced and strategic technologies that present significant economic, social, political, and environmenal opportunities for applied system innovation, economic growth, and technology leadership. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy generation, energy storage, biotechnologies, cybersecurity, unconventional computing, and human–machine interfaces, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, are some of the more widely known and highly capable CETs in driving innovation and disruption. For instance, artificial intelligence is facilitating innovative automations across all industries while at the same time disrupting the entire entry-level job market. Another CET, quantum computing, aims to dismantle the encryption methods underlying all cybersecurity systems. The technical capabilities of quantum computing can also be applied in fast-tracked innovations in drug research and discovery. Drawing on the increasing importance of CETs and their pronounced impact on governments, organisations, and societies, this Special Issue invites review papers that provide rigorous and comprehensive examinations of CETs, identifying opportunities, challenges, risks, technical developments, practical implementations, and future directions. All forms of reviews—narrative reviews, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses—are welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Daswin De Silva
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied System Innovation is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging technologies
  • critical technologies
  • systematic review
  • scoping review
  • narrative review
  • meta analysis
  • artificial intelligence
  • quantum computing
  • biotechnologies
  • advanced/unconventional computing
  • advanced materials
  • integrated networking
  • nanomanufacturing
  • semiconductors and microelectronics
  • space technologies
  • AI robotics
  • humanoid robotics
  • augmented reality
  • virtual reality
  • neural technologies

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop