It’s an exciting time to be a world leader. We must recognize that we are living in a period of profound structural change and that we must prepare for a future unlike any other. This necessitates challenging orthodoxies, increasing creativity and innovation, and transforming not just products and processes but entire business models. The world, like ourselves, is constantly evolving. The ceaseless march of change, on the other hand, occasionally marches to the beat of a different drum – and travels a different course. We must alter along with the music.
Evolution of human beings and integrating with robotics
We could be considered cyborgs (half machine, part human) since we keep our phones (which are technically super computer devices) within an arm’s reach at all times. They might as well be implanted, and they will most likely be shortly. We will integrate robotics into our lives as they advance, and then implant them. Even if this is a step too far for some, we will use the Internet of Things to connect ourselves to the digital objects in our life in increasing numbers, making our homes, automobiles, offices, cities, and environment smarter and smarter.
Travel
Drones, hyperloop trains, driverless autos, and interplanetary travel all appear to be part of the near future of travel. But it’s possible that it’s even more so than most people believe. As we realize their potential to greatly boost road safety and efficiency once every car in a system can communicate with every other car, driverless cars will fast go from legal to mandatory. Self-driving cars will also swiftly move us to car sharing. Uber isn’t just looking to take over the taxi sector; they want to take over all cars in the world. It makes sense to integrate your self-driving car into Uber’s system if it can generate money while you’re not using it. And if you do that, you’ll see immediate results.
Energy production and storage
We have been tracking the development of alternative energy sources for a few years and recently wrote about it (see here) (see notes on ITER, nuclear fusion, solar and shale gas, for example). Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Coalition will speed up the supply of “miracle energy solutions,” perhaps lowering energy prices in the coming years. And this is a lever that will effect everything else, particularly the lives of the world’s poorest people.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
Machines’ rising ability to learn and act intelligently will fundamentally alter our world. Many of the other trends on this list are also influenced by it.
The Internet of Things (IoT).
This refers to the ever-increasing number of internet-connected “smart” devices and items. Such devices are continually collecting and transferring data, fueling Big Data and AI growth.
Wearables and augmented humans.
What began with fitness trackers has grown into a burgeoning industry of wearable technology aimed at enhancing human performance and assisting us in living healthier, safer, and more efficient lives. Humans and technology may mix in the future to generate “augmented humans” or “transhumans.”
Big Data and augmented analytics.
The exponential growth in the amount of data created in our environment is referred to as Big Data. We can now make sense of and operate with immensely complicated and varied streams of data thanks to augmented analytics (very advanced data analytics, often fuelled by AI approaches).
Intelligent spaces and smart places
Closely related to the Internet of Things, this trend sees physical environments, such as houses, offices, and even entire cities, becoming more connected and smart.
Blockchains and distributed ledgers
This ultra-secure technique of storing, verifying, and preserving data has the potential to transform many parts of business, especially when it comes to facilitating trusted transactions.
Cloud and edge computing
Cloud computing, in which data is kept on other computers and accessed over the internet, has made data and analytics more accessible to the general public. Edge computing, which processes data on smart devices (such as phones), will take this to the next level.