20182023

20182023 is a shorthand used to denote the six-year span from 2018 through 2023. It is not a formal era but a convenient frame for analyzing global trends in the economy, technology, politics, and society during that period.

Economic and policy developments: In 2018, global growth remained solid but trade tensions between the United States and China began to intensify, contributing to volatility. In 2019, trade frictions and policy uncertainty persisted, alongside widespread climate activism and protests in several regions. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 produced a dramatic global recession, followed by uneven recovery in 2021-2023 as vaccination campaigns rolled out, supply chains reconfigured, and inflation rose in many economies. By 2023, growth resumed in many areas but with higher interest rates and lingering disruptions.

Technology and science: The period saw accelerated adoption of digital technologies, including 5G deployment and e-commerce growth. A turning point came in 2022-2023 with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, exemplified by the deployment of large language models and broader industrial AI applications, along with ongoing progress in biotechnology and renewable energy.

Geopolitics and society: The decade featured renewed geopolitical tensions, notably US-China relations, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and debates over cybersecurity, data privacy, and supply chain resilience. Social movements and debates over governance, equality, and misinformation continued alongside cultural shifts in media consumption and work practices.

Legacy: The 2018-2023 window contributed to lasting changes in how economies organize production, how governments regulate technology and data, and how societies respond to global health and climate risks.