SWAPTIK CHOWDHURY, TIMOTHY MARLER
Understanding and Measuring Hype
Around Emergent Technologies
Expert Insights
PERSPECTIVE ON A TIMELY POLICY ISSUE
February 2024
I
naccurate or excessive hype surrounding emerging technologies
can have several negative effects. Appropriate policy can help
manage this issue, but current methods for measuring technol-
ogy hype are insufficient.
In recent years, there has been a remarkable surge of interest in
emergent technologies, such as the metaverse and cryptocurrency.
1
Fueled by viral social media campaigns, celebrity endorsements,
and high-profile success stories, cryptocurrencies, for example,
captured the imagination of the masses. The meteoric rise (and
fall) of Dogecoin—a cryptocurrency that was initially created as
a meme—and the multimillion-dollar sale of virtual real estate in
Decentraland exemplify the power of unfettered technology opti-
mism and hype to transform abstract digital entities into cultural
phenomena.
2
When a new technology emerges, it is often met with a wave of
eager anticipation and optimism. However, this optimism may be
detached from actual utility and practical implications, potentially
