Imagine the possibilities for your career and your ability to make impact if you had anticipated the magnitude of today’s Internet industry back in 1995. Where would you be now and what would you have done?

While most of have us have missed our chance to go back two decades and be one of the first investors in Google or Facebook, we are at a pivotal time to harness the new, burgeoning industries that will shape our future. In his seminal book published this past Tuesday, innovation expert Alec Ross offers us a glimpse into the next advancements in science and technology. The Industries of the Future dives deep into a number of topics — namely robotics, advanced life sciences, coded money, cybersecurity and big data — and how these enterprises will impact our world.

In doing so, Ross’ work lays out some of the greatest opportunities and challenges in the “next wave of innovation” and helps us make sense of these complex subjects. Understanding where markets will shift is important as it has direct ramifications on the global economy and local communities. He notes that, “What was bad for industrial America and Europe was very good for India, China, and much of the rest of the world.” This tension — between the good and the bad, the winners and the losers — is spelled out in a survey of industries and the global challenges that influence them.

There is no greater indicator of an innovative culture than the empowerment of women – Alec Ross

The book argues that with advance knowledge of which industries will be the next big thing, leaders and citizens alike can best understand their path to success. In this light, Ross offers us an articulate, accessible and engaging blueprint for the prosperity of people everywhere, as the globe moves into the data revolution, with the industrial and agricultural revolutions serving as lessons from the past. Whether you are a business executive considering new investments and navigating emerging markets, or an advocate for human rights issues, this book is your guide to the geopolitical, cultural and technological contexts that will impact your work.

And which countries will see the most advancement and which will face the greatest obstacles to prosperity over the next twenty years? According to Ross – those who empower women, embrace an open society and an open economy. It’s a powerful reminder to world leaders and local citizens alike – advancements in industry and prosperity are within our grasp, we simply have to embrace change and progress.