Technology has always been advancing at an ever-increasing rate and it seems there’s no end in sight. While we can’t predict what’s to come, one thing is certain—the world will be affected by the technology of the future in ways that can be hard to fully imagine. In order to prepare ourselves as individuals and as a society, it’s important to understand where technology may lead us in the future so we can start thinking about how we want to react as it grows more advanced.
Find out about the future
We know technology will change in exciting ways over time. How do we know that? Because it always has. When people tell you they don’t think technological advancement is a good thing, they’re ignoring history—and implicitly asking you to ignore your future self as well. Humans adapt to new technologies quickly and seamlessly, which means if there are going to be problems with a new invention, you can bet someone will identify them before long. Remember: if people are worried about something being bad for us now, there’s likely a reason for it.
Know what’s going on now
While you may be more concerned with what comes next, it’s crucial to understand what is happening now. By looking at current trends and developments, you’ll get a better idea of how technology will affect your company and market. You can also use these insights to incorporate technology into your business before competitors beat you to it. If a competitor has implemented a new process or tapped into a lucrative market, learn how they did it in order to replicate their success without having to re-invent the wheel. Always stay up-to-date with what’s happening today because by doing so, you can stay ahead tomorrow.
The benefits of future technology
There’s been a lot of talk recently about futuristic technologies that are either currently in development or will become available in only a few years. In many cases, these technologies have enormous potential to improve lives, such as better and more affordable medicine, so it’s easy to get caught up in wondering just how much they could change things. Of course, new technology also tends to create plenty of jobs; if you enjoy working with your hands, for example, you can look forward to creating your own robots and even building entire houses from scratch using 3D printers. Every time there is a major shift in technological capability (going back centuries), there are always changes for both workers and companies. The important thing is to be prepared so that you can adapt when needed!
What risks could there be?
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to new technology is that there are always risks involved. The most famous example is, of course, nuclear power. But do you know what risks many people don’t even consider with today’s technologies? Artificial intelligence, or AI. We might think artificial intelligence only pertains to technology we see in science fiction like robots and self-driving cars, but it also describes a lot of smart home appliances that can respond to human commands (in other words: not smart home appliances yet). A dishwasher that responds when you say dishwasher, start cycle now could be considered artificial intelligence—and it carries certain risks.
Should you believe everything in movies?
The future is already here—we’re just not living in it yet. The first steps toward building that reality have already been taken: think driverless cars, contact lenses that take pictures, and 3D-printed prosthetics. Here’s a list of 20 innovations due out in 2013 and beyond that will transform our world. Prepare to be blown away by what technology will allow us to do once we reach 2017. In other words, you can expect all these technologies in your lifetime – some perhaps sooner than you think! 20 Technologies That Will Change Your Life In 2017 . So get ready for a wild ride, because we don’t know what exactly is going to happen over the next few years, but it’s going to be awesome!
When will this happen?
Before long, we will be able to stop worrying about battery life. Once a technology called micro-supercapacitors is commercialized, our electronics will run on a single charge for more than two years. Micro-supercapacitors store more energy than batteries while retaining their high-performance properties and can be recharged in a fraction of the time it takes to charge batteries. The technology is already making waves in Japan, where Sharp has begun selling its Aquos Xx2 phone with micro-supercapacitors that last three times longer than standard ones (60 hours on a one-minute charge). Look for micro-supercapacitors in mobile phones as early as next year; they may appear in tablets and other portable electronics around 2017 or 2018.
Where will it happen first?
If a major technological innovation happens in San Francisco, it can often take months or years for other areas to adopt it. This is because when it comes to technology, everyone wants to be an early adopter, said Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist at Canva. But first adopters are often left using technology that doesn’t really catch on or fall out of style just yet—unless you’re one of those prescient early adopters who can see what’s coming down the line. In today’s fast-paced world, people want things now and they’re not as willing to wait around as they were in previous decades. That means tech innovators should focus on where they’re going next rather than trying to predict where everyone else will end up after all.