Tech Tsunami Warning: Riding the Second Wave

We are living in amazing times. The pace of change in technology and global connectivity is unprecedented. We must learn quickly, think deeply, and embrace the change.

Riding the Technology Tsunami

A tsunami has multiple waves; the second wave is often more destructive than the first. The second wave pulls back and uproots everything already shaken and damaged by the impact of the first wave. It can arrive while the first wave is still receding, and the two waves can combine to create an even larger wave.

#AI is a huge wave and the center of attention nowadays. It’s rapidly impacting how we research, create, work, and exist. However, there are multiple technologies silently hiding behind AI that will transform our way of life.

ARKINVEST calculated the economic impact of technology over the last 250 years in its Big Ideas 2024 report. Their graphic below is one of my favorites because it shows our current time nearly doubling the Industrial Revolution, when we figured out little things like electricity, internal combustion engines, telephony, and radio.

Advancements in robotics, blockchain, free energy, cloud computing, and immersive technology are riding the sides of mainstream innovation discussion. Their convergence creates a wave of disruption never seen before.

The waves cannot be stopped. As a society, we must figure out how we direct the current towards human flourishing, benevolence, and a brighter future.

3 Market Insights

The Tech Tsunami is here and changing daily. I recently presented at an industry event where I highlighted technologies on the Gartner Hype Curve ‘hiding’ behind AI. I focused on robotics because its impact belies its press coverage.

Focusing on this one trend, here are major movements that may have slipped under the radar of popular media and are likely to impact our lives:

??????? I.??????????? AI Expanding into Robots: Nvidia is pivoting towards robotics as a new growth avenue, planning to launch its Jetson Thor compact computers for humanoid robots in early 2025. This move positions Nvidia at the forefront of a potential robotics revolution, offering comprehensive solutions that include both the necessary hardware and software for AI-powered robots. https://www.ft.com/content/7c3dafa8-ffb9-4ca8-b677-ab3cc2afbdcb?utm

????? II.??????????? Humanoids are coming: China’s electric vehicle giants are betting big on humanoid robots | MIT Technology Review. The US is also leaning in. Meta is developing hardware and software aimed at creating robots capable of performing household chores. This initiative is led by a team within Meta's Reality Labs, with plans to collaborate with companies like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI. Meta's Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, emphasizes that their existing technologies in augmented reality and artificial intelligence will significantly contribute to advancements in robotics. https://www.theverge.com/news/613102/meta-humanoid-robots-ai

??? III.??????????? Robots are learning: Progress in artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how robots learn and adapt. Techniques like imitation learning and reinforcement learning are enabling robots to acquire new skills through observation and practice, leading to more general-purpose applications. These developments are bringing robotics closer to achieving functionalities that were once considered complex and unattainable. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/02/a-revolution-in-how-robots-learn

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2 Ideas from Me

??????? I.??????????? Thoughtful democratization of technology is the key. Technology is becoming widely available to people, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location as the cost and accessibility barriers are broken. We are empowering people to innovate, create, and solve problems in ways that were previously unimaginable. Guiding this autonomy is important. Amy Webb, founder of the @Future Today Institute, emphasized the importance of developing guardrails to ensure that the benefits of technology are equitably distributed. She stated, "if we develop guardrails, norms, and standards now that encourage transparency, authenticity, and collaboration, our democratic institutions could be significantly strengthened".

????? II.??????????? Is a utopia possible? For centuries, society has rewarded the strongest, most brutal, forces. The result is unnecessary suffering, death, and cruelty to serve egoistic means. ?It feels like we are changing in a positive direction, or at least we can. What we do with this wave is pretty important.

"The future depends on what we do in the present" -Mahatma Gandhi?

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1 Question

Hype often distorts our sense of timing. Where will we first start seeing the tech tsunami arriving on our shores?

Bonus question: When will you have a robot in your kitchen like the pictures below?

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Share your answers in the comments below.

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#innovation #digital transformation #robotics #automation #AI #FreeEnergy #blockchain