We all remember the iconic opening scene from Wall-E, where the lone robot finishes his daily routine, clearing up rubble. Amid the debris-filled surface of the planet, we see glimpses of how things used to be before a gross violation of the ecosystem and rampant consumption of energy resources made our planet inhabitable.
It is a gloomy picture indeed and fills us with despair to witness what we are doing to our planet, armed with technological advancements that are gradually eating into the earth’s very soul.
However, the movie also teaches us that it is never too late to turn over a new leaf and mend our ways. Technology, when used to benefit humankind, can be the very tool with which we can build our futures and make our planet a better place for the generations to come.
This post is an overview of what could happen in 2050, given the rate of technological progression, with a special emphasis on how we can do good to the planet that has sustained us for so long.
Looking ahead: key trends in tech and the future
Some of the vital trends that could be ringing in the future, thanks to rapid technological advancements, are as follows. These key tech trends are all set to govern the ways of life in the future, giving us insights into how life could be in 2050.
Robotics to play a huge part in the shaping of the future
Cyborgs, service robots, industrial robots, academic voice-controlled robots for essay typer, and companionship robots are just some of the variants that we could be seeing in the future. With teaching assistants in schools and digital assistants in offices already acting as a major part of our lives, the future looks promising, thanks to robots.
The idea has its fair share of sinister vibes, thanks to The Terminator and other sci-fi movies that taught us robots are not the kind to be messed with. However, if we keep checking how far we are advancing with tech robots and the unique abilities and programs we assign to them, we might be able to keep it under control.
As long as we do not ring in our doomsday by creating an all-too intelligent robot, our lives are going to be a whole lot easier with their help.
Travel and commute to go for major upheavals
Drones and Hyperloop are just a few aspects of the tech advancements in current times. GPS-enabled cars and voice-controlled search have revolutionised the way we used to commute. Apps for finding trains and buses and scheduling trips have become a part of our lives.
However, the future looks even more convenient for humans with driver-less cars to be launched by 2025. AI-powered cars that take you to your destination at a single command can create a new picture for commuting.
Newer perspectives and advancements for energy resources
Limited energy resources on the planet are a grave concern for all environmental organisations and state heads. With the planet’s population growing by leaps and bounds, accommodating and sustaining many lives with limited resources is a huge challenge.
Switching to renewable sources of energy seems to be the smartest move in times like this, and the future holds the promise of sustainable development, thanks to tech advancements in creating and storing energy. The pioneer in this front is Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The scientists onboard are looking for smart solutions to the energy crisis the world is facing at the moment.
10 ways technology might transform our lives by 2050
If sci-fi movies and books are anything to go by, the future is exciting and intimidating at the same time. Here are 10 ways that tech advancements could transform our lives by 2050, letting us have the sci-fi way of life, much similar to the Jettisons.
1. Travelling faster than ever, in moments, to be precise
The most exciting part about the future is in travelling at a super-fast speed between locations all around the world. The Hyperloop (super-speedy propulsion system) has had several test runs, and Russia could be leading the way when it comes to transporting people between cities at a breakneck pace.
Scientists are well on making the system fit for passenger travel between cities. If Hyperloop existed, we could travel from Moscow to Paris within minutes.
2. Virtual textbooks in classrooms
Virtual and augmented reality is set to become a huge part of modern classrooms come 2050. It is 2018, and we already have robots for teaching assistants and virtual reality headgear for learning tools. The IoT ensures that textbooks and other learning resources are in sync with the digital learning tools of the modern day.
Pupils can thus learn from an integrated module of education and homework help using traditional textbooks and their gadgets such as smartphones or tablets. Currently used as a supplement to traditional textbooks, augmented reality and virtual textbooks could well be the mainstream of education by 2050.
3. Sustainable cities inside entire buildings (super-tall ones, of course)
As we move towards a more populated planet, lack of space is one of the biggest problems that we are about to face—with a teeming population of over 7 billion (9 billion in 2050, as per predictions), making space for sustaining everyone will be one of the biggest problems in the future. With limited resources and space, we will look toward technological innovations for survival.
That’s where the idea of sustainable cities inside tall buildings comes into the picture. The buildings will function as entire cities with various administrative departments on separate floors as well as residential, educational and entertainment zones designated for the residents (or citizens) of the future by 2050.
4. Houses built with 3D printing technology
Limited resources also present the problem of building sustainable homes that can withstand the climate change upheavals the world is about to face. Building robust structures that can withstand earthquakes and storms might pose a challenge, and that is where 3D printing technology proves useful.
The future will comprise large-scale constructions taken over by 3D printing technology, giving it a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative. By 2050, we could see entire malls, multiplexes, or even residential complexes built using 3D printing technology that makes wholesome use of the resources and saves energy, time, effort, and cost.
5. Superhuman traits with advanced prosthetics and clothing
Advancements in prosthetics and apparel point towards a fascinating future indeed. Lifting heavy objects or wearing heavy-yet-lightweight armour for combat are some areas where prosthetics and apparel tech have already sown their seeds.
As we progress towards 2050, these innovations could well be making their way to mainstream industries, making it possible for us to buy a prosthetic arm online. Using that arm, we can not only lift heavy objects but also perform our daily chores with ease.
Technological advancements in clothing might come with self-defence nanochips by 2050. Scientists are looking for newer ways of repurposing clothing in the future.
6. Home and office settings to switch entirely to AI-powered tech
Commanding Alexa to order your favourite smoothie or to ask Siri to schedule a meeting has become a part of our everyday lives. However, 2050 looks more interesting regarding having an office and home settings controlled entirely by AI (Artificial Intelligence).
Digital assistants adept at rescheduling meetings, predicting outcomes of business initiatives, and notifying us when it is time to shop for groceries can be a part of our daily lives at home and offices by 2050.
7. Smart switch to renewable energy for everything
With carbon fuel depleting rapidly, switching to more sustainable forms of energy remains our only option. By 2050, we could shift to renewable energy resources such as wind, bio-gas, the sun, water, and other recyclable materials.
Fossil fuel will gradually be making way for renewable energy for homes and industries alike. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion could also come into play when it comes to creating alternative sources of energy come 2050. Solar power could be the dominant form of energy resource in the future, replacing fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources.
8. Robots in homes, schools, offices, practically everywhere
Robots for household chores, robots for manual labour, robots for construction, drones for traffic control, and robots for companionship what’s how the future will look like in 2050. Bots will practically be in every sphere of our lives, making it way easier and more efficient for us to go about our daily activities.
Robotics is on the rise, and it is just 2018. With tech advancements moving rapidly, 2050 could see waiters and bartenders replaced with their bot counterparts at restaurants and bars. Service and companionship robots will be the rage in the future, with the wealthy going for customised robots for multipurpose activities.
9. Bidding adieu to the Smartphone
While it is hard to imagine that we might have to let go of our oh-so-precious Smartphones someday, the future promises to be even more exciting with cool VR and AR replacements for the same. With high-tech projections and screens appearing from nanochip-controlled devices, we could be inside a sci-fi in 2050.
The smartphone is most likely to give way to nanochip-enabled jewellery, watches, glasses, or other forms of accessories in the future, with advanced functions and features that make the world our oyster.
10. Taking a tour of the space
Finally, the most exciting prospect of technological advancements in the future is undoubtedly space tourism. With the privatization of space exploration on the cards, thanks to companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, space tourism might be a reality in 2050.
Although only the uber-rich could primarily get access to it in the initial days, we might be looking at the beginning of what could be the colonization of other planets. Far into the future, maybe space tourism will be paving the way for resettlements or establishments of colonies for humans on other planets.
Parting words
Whether it is travelling at erstwhile unknown speed or taking a tour of space and other planets, the future looks exciting for humankind in 2050. However, we can only benefit from the myriad perks technology offers when we know where to draw the line.
As technological advancement gradually takes over almost every aspect of our lives, the onus is on us to ensure that we are not entirely dependent on it for sustenance.
We have had our fair share of sci-fi movies and literature to learn from, and we would not want to make the same mistakes that people in the books and movies did.
While progressing towards a digital future at a rapid pace, we must pause at times and reflect on the uses of technology and how we can benefit from it, rather than letting it take over our lives. That remains a mystery unsolved, and only time has the answer to it. Until then, we can only predict and envision our futures.
