Predicting the future of the world is a tricky
task to take on. This typically results in plenty of ideas simply being thrown
into the bin. Some technologies play a defining role in humankind's future,
such as artificial intelligence, while others appear destined to fail and be a
constant disappointment.
Not every idea is potent enough to have as
fundamental an impact as AI, but many of these innovations seek to improve the
quality of our lives.
The following are some of the promising technologies that the new-age innovators are hopeful about.
1. Energy transformation will be the new norm
Many innovators predict that carbon footprints
will soon be socially unacceptable, much like drunk driving is today. Public
attention will lead tobehavioural changes and stringent policies from the government,
with carbon footprints becoming the point of scrutiny.
Individuals, organisations, and countries will
look for the easiest and most affordable ways to achieve net-zero – the
reduction of their carbon footprint. Asustainable future will be built through
a far-reaching energy transformation that significantly minimises the world's
carbon emissions.
2. Lines between virtual and physical will be faded
The pandemic has shown us how powerful technology
is in facilitating and enhancing communication. Be it Zoom meetings or using math
problem solver – technology goes beyond simple work purposes and aims
to develop genuine emotional connections.
In the upcoming years, we can expect communication
technologies to make more progress. In fact, AI technology is designed to
connect people at a human level and bring them closer to each other even when
they're physically apart.
In the future, we'll hopefully witness global
events that provide fully digitalised alternatives, going beyond the live
streaming system. However, it's not as simple as just offering these services;
data privacy also needs to be prioritised to maintain confidence among
consumers. These concerns aren't going to subside, and as digital connectivity
further improves, brands can't afford to provide users anything less than full
transparency and control over their data.
3. The future of construction has already begun
Construction will become a synchronised sequence
of delivering control, manufacturing processes, and production at scale. It'll
be a safer, faster, and more cost-effective way to develop offices, homes,
factories, and other establishments we need to thrive in cities and beyond.
As rich datasets are developed across the
construction industry through the IoT, AI, and image capture, this vision is
already coming to life. A report
on
the future of construction also emphasises how technology will shape the
industry.
The data help understand the industrial
processes, which enhances the ability of field professionals to trust their
instincts in decision making.Actionable data sheds light on areas that we
couldn't see before, empowering leaders to manage projects proactively
insteadof reactively.
4. Data privacy will be the priority
In the near future, it's expected that privacy
and data-centric security will reach commodity status. In this case, consumers'
ability to control and safeguard sensitive data assets will be perceived as the
rule instead of the exception. As awareness continues to develop, so will the
privacy-enhancing technologies (PET). PET as a technology category will turn
mainstream.
This technology will be a foundational element of
enterprise privacy and security strategies. Organisations will employ a
data-centric approach to security that offers the flexibility necessary to
abide by the regional regulations and consumer expectations.
5. Robotics will transform how people go grocery shopping
Historically, robotics has been part of many
industries. But severalsectors, like grocery retail, have remained majorly
untouched. With the development of a new robotics application known as 'micro
fulfilment', grocery retail will be up for a major transformation.
Retailers will maintain a higher order of
magnitude on productivity, which will lead to positive returns in online
grocery retail (something unheard of at this point). This technology also
offers broader access to food and a better consumer proposition at large.
Microfulfilment centres are situated in existing real estate at the store level and can be 5-10% more affordable than a brick-and-mortar store. It's predicted that the value will be equally captured by retailers and consumers.
6. Putting individuals at the heart of healthcare
Engineering, biology, and machine learning will
establish a system for focusing on the individual, instead of the institution,
in healthcare.
This
phenomenon will be supported by artificial intelligence, which requires
real-time biological data to offer simple, low-cost diagnostic tests to
individuals.
As a result, mortality and morbidity costs will
decrease in acute conditions, like infectious diseases, because only the severe
cases will need additional care. Fewer infected people will leave their homes,
drastically changing disease epidemiology while decreasing the burden on
healthcare systems.
7. Understanding the microscopic secrets hidden on surfaces
Every surface on earth consists of hidden
information that may be essential for avoiding pandemic-related crises, both at
present and in the future. Technology that improves our ability to sample,
digitalise, and interpret microbiome data rapidly will develop our
understanding of how pathogens spread.
We are barely looking into the surface of what
microbiome data insights offer and will see this accelerate over the next five
years. These insights will help us avoid pandemics. It'll also influence how we
develop, operate, and clean environments like subways, buildings, cars, and planes.
Additionally, it'll affect how we support economic activity without sacrificing
public health.
8. Quantum computing
Quantum computing will outgrow the nascent stage,
and the first generation of commercial devices will able to deal with
meaningful, real-world problems. One prominent application of this new kind of
computer is said to be the simulation of complex chemical reactions. It's a
potent tool that opens up new avenues in drug development.
Quantum chemistry calculations will also help in
designing novel materials with desired properties. For instance, we will get
better catalysts for the automotive industry that curb emissions and help fight
climate change.
9. Mending the gap in wealth management
Improvements in AI will finally put access to
wealth creation within reach of the masses. Financial advisors, who are
knowledge workers, have been the mainstay of wealth management. Since these
knowledge workers are expensive, access to wealth management has often meant
that you need to be wealthy to grow your wealth further.
As a result, wealth management has historically
been out of reach for the masses who needed it the most. Artificial
intelligence is growing at such a speed that the strategies employed by these
financial advisors will be accessible through technology. Hence, it will be
affordable for the masses. This way, millions of people won't have to know the
modern portfolio theory to have their money work for them.
10. A new direction and cancer diagnosis and treatment
In the future, cancer will be dealt with like any
other chronic health condition. We will be able to precisely understand what we
may be facing and be empowered to overcome it.
In other words, discoveries will emerge in how we
can diagnose and treat cancer. We will witness an increased number of early and
proactive screening with improved diagnostics. For instance, using better
genome sequencing technology or liquid biopsy promises more ease of testing,
higher accuracy essentially at an affordable cost.
We'll also notice a revolution in cancer treatment propelled by technology. Gene editing and immunotherapy that bring fewer side effects will make greater headway.
Parting thoughts,
It is fascinating to see the pace of today's
innovative technologies being applied to solve the world's most pressing
problems. The next few years will come with considerable improvements in
addressing the different challenges as organisations providing solutions
present tangible outcomes.
Author
bio: Robert Smith
is a professional blogger and academic consultant.
He loves learning about innovations and technology. He also serves as an academic
expert for MyAssignmenthelp.com and guides students on using the free AMA
Citation Tool for
citing research paper.