In the 1900’s futurist John Elfreth Watkins predicted wireless networks, underground streets, and supersized fruit. In the 1970’s technology consultant and futurist, Alvin Toffler, predicted a disruptive rise of computers that could help forge a “throw-away society”, in which people (referred to as consumers) sought disposable products, to fill temporary needs, driven by fads. In the last decade, Ray Kurzweil, a famed futurist, and author, predicts that we’ll have bionic organ transplants and human-like intelligence in machines by 2029.
But future predictions have also been wrong, because the people who predict the future naturally fail to consider shifts in the social psyche, like gender roles, for example. In a 1966 essay called “The Futurists” published by Time, futurists thought remote shopping would never happen by 2000 because women “like to get out of the house”. Likewise, in 2007 Microsoft CEO, Steve Balmer, said that “there’s no way the iPhone will get any significant market share”.
So, what on earth will 2025 look like?
Virtual-everything could be embraced
With our shift to online-living during the pandemic, new apps and tools are being created even faster to cope with our new online way of life. Workplaces are rearranging, more of us are working from home, and living arrangements and community structures are adapting. And as more of our chores and cooperative work become automated, the Internet of Things could dramatically evolve.
While social apps have been incredible at connecting remote communities and inspiring change from the wider world, online communication tools could also be weaponized to spread misinformation. Without proper regulation, future technology in a totally virtual world might also encourage online communities to become more insular, spurring bigotry and xenophobia.
AI could enhance some lives and damage others
More work is being taken over by artificial intelligence, which could mean that some professions might be replaced with machines.
In a futuristic society dependent on machines, companies might outsource even more work to the lowest bidder globally, striking even fiercer economic competition between nations. In an alternate reality, delegating the running of our daily tasks to machines might inspire humans to focus on scientific and social innovation, but that might not be the reality.
Innovation could cut emissions
Having a high carbon footprint might be the ultimate social faux pas in 2025. With new EU vehicle-emission rules set for 2025, the switch to electric vehicles, and heavier demand for climate-action from our youth, the future looks greener.
Experiments with fusion technology are underway in the US, the UK, and elsewhere, which could be used instead of fission to break apart atoms in nuclear reactors. Deriving its fuel from water, not radioactive uranium, or plutonium, fusion doesn’t generate long-term nuclear waste.
Likewise, new developments are also underway to cut emissions in the steel and cement industries, which are currently responsible for 20% of the world’s emissions.
A new AI tool, Carbon Re, is able to analyze minute parts of manufacturing data and recommend ways to cut emissions during the manufacturing process. It does this by modelling the production environment and recognizing the optimal process for the lowest carbon dioxide output and fuel use.
Quantum computers could find practical uses
In 2019, Google used its Quantum ‘Sycamore device’ to simulate a basic chemical reaction. If quantum computers could simulate more complex reactions in bigger molecules, we may be able to develop new chemicals using quantum simulation.
Quantum chemistry simulation might also speed up drug trials, and help develop new tailor-made materials. Improved computing power could lead to the rapid development of medicines, which often get delayed by trial and error methods and low funding.
3D bioprinted food could change the way we eat
Scientists at Japan’s Osaka University have 3D printed a wagyu beef steak in a lab. Using stem cells that they took from wagyu cows, the scientists organized the muscles, blood vessels, and fat to quite literally build a steak.
The researchers believe that 3D-printed food could be a step towards a more sustainable future, away from our current animal agriculture industry that promotes deforestation, and causes a damaging amount of methane emissions.
Predictions for the future suggest that we might even be able to edit our food according to our tastes and health concerns, especially if 3D bioprinting becomes widespread.
AI could help make us all wealthier
If AI can replicate the customized strategies used by financial advisors, access to wealth creation will be in the hands of the masses.
Financial advisors and stock brokers are knowledge workers, so they’re expensive. Which has often meant that you need to be wealthy to preserve or grow your wealth. But millions could soon get the chance to make their money work for them.
In fact, AI is already shaping the future of stock trading. With AI investment apps able to analyze millions of data points, execute trades at the optimal price, and forecast markets with incredible accuracy while managing risk, access to the stock market will be easier than ever.
Privacy will be prioritized
As technology continues to entwine with our personal lives, the need to protect our sensitive data will be the rule, rather than the exception. By 2025, cyber security could become a foundational element of futuristic technology, and not just an add-on to comply with CCPA and GDPR. This is especially important if social engineering threats become harder to resist, in a world where immediacy trumps caution.
Privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) might also become mainstream. For example, AI companies need to use vast amounts of human data to train machine learning tools like Siri, Alexa, and self-driving cars. But because they also need a secure way to access that data, PETs could be the way forward.
VPNs are the original PETs, and we believe they’ll become an essential app for going online. With massive data breaches making headlines every year, and hackers operating vast networks in the cyber underworld, blindly having faith in corporations to protect us is outdated.
In fact, our cybersecurity statistics showed that only 33% of internet users felt they were “safe from being hacked” in 2020. Using a VPN could be the easiest and quickest way to secure yourself and remain private online.
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About Me: I am an expert and enthusiast-based assistant. I have been trained on a diverse range of topics and have access to a wide array of information sources. My knowledge is constantly updated, and I can provide insights and information on various subjects. I can engage in detailed discussions and provide assistance on a wide range of topics, including technology, science, history, and more.
Predictions for the Future: The predictions for the future are often based on technological advancements and societal trends. They have been made by various futurists and experts over the years. Some of the predictions for the future include the embrace of virtual-everything, the potential for AI to enhance lives and also cause damage, the possibility of innovation cutting emissions, the practical uses of quantum computers, the potential for 3D bioprinted food to change the way we eat, and the role of AI in making people wealthier. These predictions are based on the current trajectory of technological advancements and societal shifts.
Virtual-Everything and Its Implications: The shift to online living during the pandemic has led to the creation of new apps and tools at a rapid pace to accommodate the new online way of life. Workplaces are adapting to more remote work, and living arrangements and community structures are also changing. While social apps have connected remote communities and inspired change, there is a concern that online communication tools could be weaponized to spread misinformation, potentially leading to more insular online communities and increased bigotry and xenophobia .
AI's Impact on Lives and Economies: The increasing use of artificial intelligence is expected to take over more work, potentially leading to the replacement of some professions with machines. In a society heavily dependent on machines, there is a possibility of companies outsourcing more work globally, intensifying economic competition between nations. While the delegation of daily tasks to machines might inspire humans to focus on scientific and social innovation, the reality might be different .
Innovation and Emissions Reduction: Innovations in technology could lead to a significant reduction in emissions. The switch to electric vehicles, new EU vehicle-emission rules, and experiments with fusion technology are expected to contribute to a greener future. Fusion technology, which uses water as fuel and does not generate long-term nuclear waste, holds promise for reducing emissions. Additionally, new developments are underway to cut emissions in the steel and cement industries, which are major contributors to global emissions. AI tools, such as Carbon Re, are being developed to analyze manufacturing data and recommend ways to cut emissions during the manufacturing process.
Practical Uses of Quantum Computers: Quantum computers have the potential to find practical uses in various fields. For instance, they could simulate complex chemical reactions in bigger molecules, leading to the development of new chemicals. Quantum chemistry simulation might also speed up drug trials and help develop tailor-made materials, potentially leading to the rapid development of medicines.
3D Bioprinted Food and Its Implications: Scientists have successfully 3D printed food, such as a wagyu beef steak, using stem cells from animals. This technology could lead to a more sustainable future, potentially reducing the environmental impact of the current animal agriculture industry. Predictions suggest that 3D bioprinting could allow for the customization of food according to individual tastes and health concerns, potentially revolutionizing the way we eat .
AI and Wealth Creation: The use of AI in replicating customized strategies used by financial advisors could democratize access to wealth creation. AI is already shaping the future of stock trading, with investment apps able to analyze millions of data points, execute trades at optimal prices, and forecast markets with high accuracy while managing risk. This could potentially make access to the stock market easier for a larger portion of the population.
Privacy and Cybersecurity: As technology becomes more intertwined with personal lives, the need to protect sensitive data will become a foundational element of futuristic technology. Cybersecurity is expected to be prioritized, and privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) might become mainstream. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are expected to become essential for online security, especially in a world where cyber threats are prevalent and data breaches are a concern .
In conclusion, the future is likely to be shaped by technological advancements, societal shifts, and the potential implications of these changes on various aspects of our lives.
