The Next Seven Big Things in Future Trends Technology (not written by an AI)
Yesterday I asked OpenAI (GPT-3, text-davinci-003) to write a blog article to summarize seven future technology trends with each theme’s pros and cons.
How’d it do? I’d say pretty damn good!
Separately, I came up with my list of significant future trends to keep an eye on in technology so let’s break down how man stacks up to a machine in forecasting big trends to look ahead at.
GPT -3’s selected seven trends: AI, XR, Blockchain, Internet of things, quantum, autonomous vehicles, and 5G networks.
The first of these trends is artificial intelligence (AI). This is a no-brainer for me. I have to give any system with the balls to claim itself as the #1 trend as noteworthy to pay attention to. Machines can already think and act like humans. Where will AI be with ever-increasing computing power and larger models of language data sets? It sure promises to have more value-creating machines available as tech evolves over the years to come. GPT-3 brought up how AI also brings the potential for ethical concerns as devices increasingly become indistinguishable from humans. Writing about AI in a fiction sci-fi story 20 years in the future from now, I wanted to explore how children today will grow up with this tech and how it will be native and intimately personal to have an AI by the time a kid reaches adulthood with an AI potentially learning loads of information about a child.
The second predicted trend from GPT-3 was extended reality (XR). XR made me tip my cap because it is the technology of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) but in a mixed sense. I had VR and AR separately on my list, but combining these two techs with better technology makes sense. Currently, VR is heavy, clunky, and closed off. In contrast, AR is low lower fidelity but has intriguing potential use cases in the real world. GPT-3 and I both thought XR could disrupt entertainment and education. Could Apple getting into making a consumer-friendly headset be another iPhone moment? Keep your eyes on XR!
The third trend was blockchain technology. Blockchain is a secure, distributed ledger that allows users to store and transact digital assets without a central authority. The space may be in a downturn. Perhaps we’re in the trough of disillusionment with the FXT/SBF fiasco marking a turning point?
The fourth trend predicted by GPT3 is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is a network of connected devices that can communicate with each other and exchange data. This technology promises to revolutionize how we interact with the physical world, making it possible to monitor and control our environment in unprecedented ways due to an abundance of computers entering all types of devices. It’s already here with cellphones, doorbell/security cams, audio listeners(Siri-like devices), refrigerators, thermostats, and more. But will likely increase exponentially over the years to come.
The fifth trend was quantum computing. A direction that I ultimately left off my list. Quantum computing is, self-admittingly, a form of computing that I don’t know much about. From what I gather, it is still experimental and costly to undertake. It seems like it’s still in the stages of transistor tube computers that took up entire rooms to do tiny calculations (by today’s standards). GPT-3 spoke to how quantum takes advantage of the properties of quantum mechanics to solve problems that would be impossible for traditional computers. Think, no more binary–on or off.
Superposition can be thought of as an equation that has more than one solution, like a coin being heads up and tails up at the same time.
Quantum computing can revolutionize the way we process data. Still, its potential for misuse, such as in developing powerful computers capable of hacking our current encryption method, is a significant concern.
The sixth predicted trend was autonomous vehicles. I love love this trend’s possibilities. I couldn’t help but carve out a considerable part of the story of The Last Delivery Driver to autonomous vehicles. The idea of driving without the need for a human driver opens up a lot of compelling use cases. GPT-3 wrote, “it could revolutionize the way we travel, making it possible to travel safely and efficiently without needing a driver. However, the potential for these vehicles to be used for malicious purposes and the privacy implications of having a machine constantly monitoring our movements are significant.” Well said, GPT-3. How we navigate this tech from a rules and regulations standpoint has an enormous sway on how the tech gets implemented.
The seventh and final trend was 5G networks. The fifth generation of mobile broadband technology is already revolutionizing how we communicate, collaborate, and conduct business. I wasn’t expecting this response as it seems like a trend already here, but some estimates forecast that by 2025, we’ll reach 3.6 billion 5G connections, a number expected to grow to 4.4 billion by 2027.
These seven trends to watch by GPT-3 opened my eye to trends I hadn’t thought of. I’d add wearables and drones to this list as we will keep adding new tools like the smartwatch and more to get data about our bodies. Then finally, drones. Oh, drones. I think rovers on Mars are just the beginning of avatars visiting incredible places. Let’s leave it there for another article.
But, as these technologies continue to evolve and become more widely adopted, it is crucial to understand the potential risks and rewards as the trends develop.
