Five World-Changing Technologies
If you are looking for new ways to make your life easier, you might want to consider these five world-changing technologies. They include Blockchain technology, 3D printers, and Brain-computer interfaces. In four years, deliverable lithium-metal batteries will replace lithium-ion batteries, and data trusts will arrive in two to three years. Meanwhile, mRNA vaccines and computers that compose articles and reports are already here. Not to mention the possibility of green hydrogen, which can reduce our environmental impact.
Artificial intelligence
There are many reasons why AI will change the way that companies conduct business. AI will optimize the design and delivery logistics of products, while identifying outliers and deviant cases. Ultimately, AI will create an edge for businesses and help them to be more responsive to consumer demands. But what are the most pressing reasons why AI is a world-changing technology? Let’s look at three reasons why AI will change how companies do business.
The first reason why AI is a world-changing technology is because of its enormous potential for economic development. One study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers estimates that AI technologies will increase global GDP by 14% by 2030. This includes $3.7 trillion in North America, $1.8 trillion in Northern Europe, and $1.15 trillion in Africa. AI will also increase the GDP of countries in North America and Northern Europe. And in Asia outside of China, it will boost GDP by $0.9 trillion.
Blockchain technology
As the world moves towards an increasingly digital economy, the Blockchain technology is being hailed as a game changer. The technology has already made it easier to transfer money across the globe in real time. A recent paper by father and son duo Alex Tapscott discusses the technology’s benefits. The underlying technology behind blockchain is the Merkle tree, which is a hierarchical collection of nodes that plays an essential role in verifying and encrypting data.
In the world of international trade, the movement of goods involves at least 30 different parties and hundreds of interactions. Blockchain technology can simplify this process and lower costs. One example is the counterfeit drug trade. In 2010, fake drugs cost $75 billion and killed more than 100,000 people. The blockchain will make this process much more efficient, saving lives and money while eliminating intermediaries. Its applications for the real estate industry are numerous, and it is likely to disrupt the industry.
3D printers
The development of 3D printers is reshaping how we build and design. Many start-ups have been using 3D printing technology to produce various kinds of buildings. Recently, California start-up New Story partnered with two Mexican construction companies to build 50 homes for families in Tabasco, Mexico. These homes can be completed within 24 hours and are safe, sturdy and long-lasting. With the technology advancing at such a rapid rate, 3D printers are able to manufacture the structures in such a way that it is more economical than the traditional methods.
The advent of 3D printing technology has made it easier to create complex and customized tools and parts. While previously 3D printing technology was limited to prototypes, it now has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing process and reduce the cost of development, production and carbon footprint. With its increased capacity to produce complex objects, 3D printers will eventually be capable of replacing current workforce and reducing operating costs. This is a tremendous benefit for many industries.
Brain-computer interfaces
The field of brain-computer interfaces is a growing area of research and innovation, and the potential applications are enormous. However, there are many problems with BCIs. They can be vulnerable to hacking, and even malicious ones have been tried. The major concern is the security of BCI data, which can be transmitted across the digital gulf and be used by hackers to manipulate information. A new method called Kernel captures memories from the hippocampus with 80 percent accuracy. And Elon Musk is working on an implantable Bluetooth device that will be implanted into the brain.
Scientists in Shenoy’s lab have developed algorithms to decode nerve signals from the motor cortex, the command center of the brain. These signals are then translated into actions by the spinal cord and muscles. The technology is now being used in human clinical trials. In the United States alone, millions of people suffer from paralysis. Some have it slowly over time, while others have it suddenly. This technology may help treat paralysis in a human population.
Organ printers
Organ printers have the potential to change society in a big way. For one, they could significantly increase the average lifespan, as cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world. Replacing a failing heart with a new, younger one could add decades to a person’s life. Still, there are ethical pitfalls associated with organ printing. The technology has to be approved by regulatory agencies before it can be used on humans.
The 3D printing process is based on bioink, a suspension of living cells that is similar to a pixel. Voxels have more properties than a pixel, including different strength and flexibility. When stacked together, they form complex structures. Understanding how voxels fit together will be critical to 3D bioprinted organs. The technology is not yet ready to print whole organs, but researchers are working on the process.