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Futurists often paint a picture of the future that is both thrilling and, at times, chilling, presenting ideas about machines and science that could revolutionize or even disrupt our daily lives.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockFuturists offer both exciting and somewhat unsettling visions of technology’s role in reshaping our lives, whether by enhancing or replacing the activities and products we hold dear.
Teleportation was once considered just around the corner — a marvel waiting to be achieved in our lifetime — but it hasn’t materialized yet. Remember when the VCR was cutting-edge tech, only to become obsolete before many of us figured out how to set it? And who could have predicted that working with atoms and molecules would become the future of technology? But that’s the job of the futurists.
Predicting the future of technology is a task for dreamers hoping to bring about innovation and for everyday people hoping to reap the benefits of these advancements. While some inventions are born in the lab and never make it to the market, others evolve so rapidly that putting effective regulations in place becomes a challenge.
Next, we’ll explore sound-sensitive atoms, molecular-sized tools, massive data clusters, and the groups of individuals who might attempt to halt all this innovation with a single tap of a keyboard.
10: Zero-size Intelligence
Computer processors, or ‘brains,’ have become smaller — some now powered by only five atoms, with one-atom innovations expected within 10 to 20 years.
Lucidio Studio Inc./Getty ImagesNo one enjoys being labeled a ‘zero’ in intelligence, but ‘zero-sized intelligence’ in computing refers to packing immense processing power into incredibly tiny spaces. Tech companies, including Intel, nurture innovative thinking and even employ futurists to predict where technology is headed. Futurist Brian David Johnson envisions computing shrinking to such a degree that the physical casing could become nearly non-existent. We’ve gone from massive computers to micro-chips and atom-powered transistors so small they’re almost invisible to the naked eye [source: Seligson].
Many have speculated that the miniaturization of computing could signal the end of Moore’s Law. Gordon E. Moore, co-founder of Intel, predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double approximately every two years. As chips have shrunk — some powered by just five atoms, with one-atom models on the horizon in the next decade or two — we may reach a limit as atomic transistors replace traditional chips. Whether the cost reductions will follow despite the hefty price of developing such small-scale transistors remains to be seen [source: Menegaz].
9: Moon, Mars, More?
Space exploration has faced some setbacks in the 21st century, with budget cuts impacting the U.S. and other international space programs. However, with the Curiosity Rover on Mars since August 2012 and the planned launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) — set to be the most powerful rocket in history — by 2017, NASA remains heavily invested in the future of space. Following the SLS’s unmanned test launch in 2017, NASA plans to send a crew of up to four astronauts into space by 2021, potentially returning to the Moon and preparing for missions to other planets [sources: Landau; NASA].
Despite the economic challenges of this century, both individuals and private corporations are still aiming for the stars, offering space travel opportunities to the public. While space tourism is not yet common for the masses, a few wealthy adventurers are already embarking on journeys that were once relegated to science fiction. These private ventures may even help reduce costs for future travelers.
Imagine choosing a planet instead of a floor when stepping into an elevator. Many futurists support the idea of a Space Elevator — a system to transport people from Earth to the Moon and Mars. While this planetary elevator is likely still four or five decades away, the concept is gaining traction as innovators discuss a 62,137-mile (100,000-kilometer) cable that would stretch from Earth to an anchor station in space. We’d simply ride a high-tech cable into the great unknown, hoping we don’t get stuck between ‘floors’ [source: Space Elevator].
8: Neurohacking
Could a time come when you find yourself saying, "I can't read your mind, you know!" only to hear the response, "Oh, stop it — of course you can!"? It might just happen. Neuroscientists are uncovering methods to interpret people’s thoughts using machines, and although these efforts have been underway for decades, real breakthroughs are now occurring at the University of California, Berkeley, and other research institutions. One method for decoding brainwaves is helping people suffering from dementia, particularly those who struggle with neurotransmitter issues that make it difficult to translate thoughts into speech or retain thoughts long enough to speak before they are forgotten.
On the flip side, it’s quite unnerving to consider that science and machines could soon be able to tap into our deepest thoughts. The potential for neurohacking — manipulating our mental processes — has been explored, especially within the realm of neuromarketing. This form of marketing targets our brain's desires, shaping our wants and behaviors through advertisements. It raises the concern that our thoughts and actions could be influenced by media that convinces us we’re making choices for ourselves, when, in reality, we’re being subtly guided towards products our brains may only think are the right ones [sources: IGF; Carmichael].
7: Mass Data
Even if neuroscientists and advertisers can't directly access our thoughts for neurohacking or neuromarketing, they may still have access to our data. With vast amounts of images and information flowing freely online and being stored in the cloud, various organizations — including the media, government regulators, and marketers — are working tirelessly to mine our preferences, behaviors, and even personal connections.
What should be done with all this data, and more crucially, how can we prevent our online activities from influencing the physical world around us? As our search habits refine the results we get from the Internet, and as the content we read and research becomes 'optimized' based on the keywords people search for, our choices — from the products we buy to the news we consume — are increasingly shaped by the vast amounts of data being stored and analyzed.
The rapid pace at which data and the machines that process it are advancing might soon overshadow human decision-making, whether big or small. The speed of these changes makes it sometimes hard to remember that humans still hold control over the data. The key issue moving forward will be understanding who holds this control and what actions they take with it, which will undoubtedly pose an ongoing challenge [source: Seligson; IGF].
6: Quantum Control
Imagine a minuscule particle on an already tiny computer chip, one that possesses the power to think like a computer, but without relying on intricate circuitry, and is capable of being moved by light or sound. That’s a simplified version of quantum technology.
More technically, quantum control refers to a technology based on physics principles used for computing purposes. Quantum electrodynamics (QED) explains the interaction between matter and light. QED circuits attempt to bring this interaction into the realm of computer chips, aiming to use it to enhance circuitry within machines. Phonons, which are sound-driven quantum vibrations, enable the movement of circuits and motor machines at the chip level.
These innovations in quantum technology are pushing forward the concept of zero-sized intelligence we previously discussed. They're a thrilling development for both tech enthusiasts and scientists. Merging scientific theory with practical technology, these advancements have significant implications, as they are not just experimental but functional, and could someday power the devices we rely on every day. Their power lies in their incredibly small, atomic-sized scale [source: MIT].
5: Youth Tech Movements
During what was called the Arab Spring, anti-government demonstrators in Cairo, Egypt, leveraged social media platforms to help coordinate the protests in Tahrir Square back in 2011.
Chris Hondros/Getty ImagesToday’s young generation is more tech-savvy and globally connected than ever before. With more free time than money, they've become a formidable force. While rebellion against authority and old systems is nothing new, the global recession, lack of opportunity, and diminishing hope have created the perfect storm for youth unrest in the 21st century. Their frustrations are bubbling up, ready to burst.
People between the ages of 16 and 24, ranging from those without formal schooling to highly educated individuals with doctorates, are entering a world where prolonged unemployment and staying at home are all too common. This widespread dissatisfaction might spark organized rebellion or sabotage, whether through physical means or digital attacks on technology and infrastructure.
4: Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine
Nanotechnology, or the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular scale, enables extraordinary precision and the ability to replicate nature's basic functions. But just how tiny is a 'nano'? The National Nanotechnology Initiative explains that a sheet of paper measures 100,000 nanometers in thickness, and there are 25.4 million nanometers in just one inch. To put it simply, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter [sources: NNI; Sarchet]!
How is nanotechnology influencing the future of technology? It's being implemented across various fields such as engineering, medical devices, imaging, computing, and much more. Nanomedicine, in particular, is expanding rapidly. As many diseases originate and evolve at the cellular level, nanotechnology can address these conditions at their very source, preventing or treating them before they spread throughout the body. Its potential applications range from preventative measures to curative treatments, especially in fields like neurosurgery and gene therapy where specialized nanotools are especially beneficial.
Transforming nanotechnology from concept to reality involves creating exceptionally fine tools. Nanotools need to be assembled at the molecular level to achieve the required scale for nano-level tasks, often with designs tailored to specific purposes. This work is highly specialized and requires precise planning, as the tools must be handled with care due to their delicate nature. In the future, individuals with expertise in molecular nanotechnology will be in great demand [source: Sarchet].
3: Dark Networks
The hacking group Anonymous, recognizable by their Guy Fawkes masks, targeted the French presidential Elysee Palace website in early 2012, and briefly disrupted the FBI and Justice Department websites in retaliation for the U.S. government shutting down the file-sharing platform Megaupload.
Photo courtesy Vincent DiamanteAs the digital world becomes more interconnected, with more of us sharing the same cyberspace and social platforms, we are inevitably becoming larger and more prominent targets for malicious forces. While our data exposes us in various ways, it also provides a cover for those in dark networks to hide, assuming false identities to execute increasingly larger attacks.
Anonymous is a notorious group involved in "hacktivism," breaching highly sensitive data from organizations such as the FBI, Visa, Mastercard, and government websites around the world, from the UK to China. Their actions have caused massive disruptions, leading to widespread cyberterror. Operating as a collective, their distributed activities spread so thinly that they confuse authorities, making it impossible to track them. Their targets range from political causes to business interests.
With the rise of cyber-attacks—including strikes on critical infrastructures like water systems and electrical grids—the financial cost is immense, and millions of people are at risk every year. This growing trend may lead to heightened cyber insecurity, with widespread fear surrounding the very technologies that are essential for daily commerce and communication [sources: Fantz; IGF].
2: Universal Translators
According to the Old Testament, people once spoke a single language and took pride in their achievements. They set out to construct a monumental tower to broadcast their glory to the heavens. In response, God decided to humble them by confusing their language, causing them to lose their shared tongue. This led to a babble, and the people abandoned the Tower of Babel, scattering across the earth, no longer united in pride or purpose.
The creators of universal translators may not be striving to end global language barriers or bring about worldwide unity, but the reality is that we're approaching a time when two people, each speaking a different language, will be able to converse seamlessly in their own voices. Imagine an Arabic speaker pressing a button and hearing their words instantly translated into English, and vice versa [source: Dillow].
Anyone familiar with Internet-based translation tools knows how tricky it can be to get a perfect translation, but some of the top minds in the fields of technology and military intelligence are dedicating their efforts to improving cross-linguistic communication.
1: Avatars, Surrogates, Robotics
Avatars, like this one from the virtual world of Second Life, and surrogates that once existed solely in games and virtual reality, are now assuming more significant functions, effectively acting as substitutes for real people in various contexts.
Photo courtesy of Tina Stallard/Getty ImagesPerhaps you're not entirely at ease with the pace of technological progress or some of the futuristic predictions. That's perfectly fine. You can still navigate the world in a low-tech manner while letting an avatar, surrogate, or robot take on the more tech-driven aspects of life for you. Even the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has allocated millions to develop avatars that can serve as stand-ins for real soldiers [source: Ackerman].
What was once limited to gaming, virtual reality, and computer interfaces, avatars and surrogates are now becoming increasingly integral, stepping in as substitutes for real humans. Or perhaps they are enhancements to human capabilities?
Fully developed robots are becoming more prevalent in both medical and scientific fields, making their mark in labs and hospitals alike. These robots are aiding those with paralysis to regain movement, for example. As we continue to integrate technology into our lives, the use of 'second life' surrogates is likely to become more routine for many of us, even outside specialized areas.
