The Longevity Revolution: What’s Changed Since 2020?

As we step into 2025, I’m often asked: What has changed since the first edition of Longevity Industry 1.0 was published in 2020? The truth is, we are witnessing a profound transformation. The longevity industry, once a niche topic confined to scientific journals and futurist forums, is now firmly established as a major economic, scientific, and policy force.

When I first began mapping out this industry, the idea of Longevity Industrialization was still a somewhat abstract concept. It was clear to us at Deep Knowledge Group that aging wasn’t just a medical issue—it was a societal and economic one. Today, that vision is becoming reality. Governments, corporations, and even entire economies are now prioritizing the extension of healthy life—what we call Healthspan—as a core pillar of their growth and sustainability strategies.

In the years since the publication of the first edition, we've seen Longevity grow from being associated solely with anti-aging and skin treatments, to becoming a fully integrated multi-sector megatrend. It now spans fields from biomedicine and AI to finance, governance, and even space exploration. We’ve not only predicted this evolution, but have actively participated in shaping it by developing frameworks for understanding and forecasting industry developments. The real question, though, is: how do we continue to accelerate this transformation?

Unprecedented Growth: Longevity Goes Mainstream

By 2024, the Longevity industry has expanded in ways that were almost unimaginable just five years ago. Global market capitalization of Longevity-driven industries reached an astounding €28 trillion, a figure that dwarfs many established sectors. Investors are now viewing Longevity as an asset class in itself. Healthspan is increasingly being recognized as the new currency of wealth—and financial institutions are responding. For instance, the launch of Longevity ETFs in the U.S. and Europe has paved the way for new financial products that directly correlate with population health metrics such as Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE).

And this is just the beginning. The transition to Longevity 2.0, a term I coined to describe the maturation of the industry, will see the integration of more sophisticated technologies and financial instruments designed to unlock long-term investment. The next decade will see Longevity expand into new realms, from AI-driven diagnostics to personalized genetic therapies.

The Role of AI: A Game Changer in Longevity Medicine

Perhaps the most significant shift we’ve seen is the role of artificial intelligence. In 2020, AI in Longevity was more of a promise. Today, it’s a reality. AI has fundamentally reshaped aging research and healthcare. Algorithms now predict age-related diseases long before clinical symptoms emerge, and data-driven treatments are advancing at a pace never seen before. AI's integration into drug discovery is enabling us to accelerate therapies that were once thought decades away—allowing us to move closer to Longevity Escape Velocity.

But AI isn’t just for diagnostics and treatments. It's revolutionizing the financial aspects of Longevity too. From smart investments in AI-powered healthcare companies to new financial derivatives based on longevity outcomes, the intersection of AI and finance is unlocking unprecedented levels of capital for the industry.

Global Policy: Longevity as a National Imperative

Another significant shift has been the increasing focus on Longevity at the governmental level. In the past few years, nations like Singapore, Japan, and South Korea have incorporated Longevity into their long-term economic strategies. The future success of any nation will depend on how effectively it adapts to this global megatrend.

Governments are now taking proactive measures to extend population healthspan, not only to improve quality of life but to ensure economic sustainability. In fact, Longevity as a National Strategy has become an emerging norm. We’ve seen countries take bold steps to develop national Longevity plans that integrate AgeTech, health innovation, and financial reform. As national economies grapple with the challenges posed by aging populations, those countries that act now will secure themselves a major competitive advantage in the coming decades.

Breaking the Myths: Longevity Is for Everyone

It’s crucial to address the lingering myths surrounding Longevity. Many still believe that life extension will be a luxury only for the wealthy or that it’s still decades away from being a reality. The truth is that Longevity technologies are becoming more accessible and affordable each year. As history has shown, technological innovations rarely remain exclusive to the rich for long. The same will happen here: from affordable diagnostic tools to practical longevity-enhancing therapies, access will continue to broaden.

Moreover, Longevity Industrialization is not about prolonging the frail years of old age. The science behind extending life expectancy is firmly rooted in improving Healthspan—the period of life free from disease and dysfunction. This is a much more humane and optimistic vision than the dystopian idea of simply living longer with disease. Instead, we are focusing on creating lives that are healthier, more productive, and, ultimately, more fulfilling.

The Road Ahead: Toward Longevity 2.0

Looking forward, we are entering the Longevity 2.0 phase—where the fusion of DeepTech, personalized medicine, and societal governance will accelerate progress. AI, blockchain, and other frontier technologies are converging to create new ways to combat aging. As we move into this next phase, the boundaries between medicine, technology, and finance will blur even further.

I invite you to explore this transformation with us as we continue to chart the course of Longevity Industrialization. The future of health, wealth, and prosperity lies in our ability to reimagine aging—not as a burden, but as an opportunity for humanity to thrive longer, healthier, and with more purpose than ever before.

In upcoming articles, I will dive deeper into the innovations that are shaping the future of the Longevity industry, focusing on the critical role of biomarkers, finance, and governance.

Meanwhile you can place your orders for Longevity Industry 1.0 Third Edition at www.longevity-book.com/one !