Where No (Wo)man Has Gone Before

Star Trek: Discovery has got around to boldly going where no one had gone before – namely 900 years into the future, far beyond the time periods charted out with extensive lore by other Trek shows.

The series begins around ten years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series, when Commander Michael Burnham's actions start a war between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire. She is court-martialed, stripped of rank, and reassigned to the USS Discovery, which has a unique means of propulsion called the "Spore Drive". After an adventure in the Mirror Universe, Discovery helps end the Klingon war. In the second season they investigate seven mysterious signals and a strange figure known as the "Red Angel", and fight off a rogue artificial intelligence. This conflict ends with the Discovery traveling to the 32nd century, more than 900 years into their future.

Season 3 is the series coming of age, moving into a very interesting beginning in Season 4 (albeit lazy script writing towards the end). Despite that, I still remain excited and eagerly await Season 5. But why am I talking about Star Trek: Discovery?

Well, when I started watching the series, around the same time I was finishing reading "Life 3.0" by Max Tegmark . Got me thinking of the technologies depicted in Star Trek Discovery with the ideas presented in "Life 3.0", and how they reflect our hopes and fears for the future of AI. Ergo this article post.

"It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross; but it's not for the timid."

When it comes to the intersection of science fiction and technology, there are few franchises as influential as Star Trek in my opinion. Without futuristic technology, there would be no Star Trek. If they didn’t have transporters, warp drive, and subspace communication, its original five-year mission would have floundered before it had even left Spacedock.?

When we compare the technologies in Star Trek Discovery with the ideas in "Life 3.0", we can see both similarities and differences. On the one hand, Star Trek depicts a future where AI is ubiquitous and integrated into all aspects of society, just as Tegmark predicts in the Life 3.0 stage. The ship's computer represents a form of advanced AI that is capable of reasoning and learning and considered a member of the crew.

On the other hand, Star Trek largely sidesteps the ethical questions raised by AI in "Life 3.0". The ship's computer is portrayed as largely benevolent and aligned with human values. In fact, one of the key themes of the series is the idea of "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations", which celebrates the diversity of all forms of life, including artificial life. Star Trek's vision of the future is optimistic, presenting a world where humans have solved many of their problems and are able to live in harmony with each other and with advanced AI.

• One technology that is featured prominently in Star Trek Discovery is the ship's computer. This advanced AI system is capable of performing a wide range of tasks, from navigating the ship to analyzing data and making decisions. While today's AI systems are not yet capable of the same level of autonomy as the ship's computer, researchers are making significant progress in this area. Deep learning algorithms, for example, are being used to teach AI systems how to recognize and respond to patterns in data, which could eventually lead to the development of more advanced AI systems.

• Another technology featured in the show is the ship's replicators, which are capable of creating any food or drink that the crew desires, using raw materials that are stored on board. While today's 3D printing technology is not yet advanced enough to create fully cooked meals, researchers are exploring the use of 3D printing technology to create customized food products, such as personalized nutrition bars or energy drinks. In the future, it is possible that this technology could be used to create fully-cooked meals as well.

• The show also features advanced medical technologies, such as medical scanners and devices that can diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. Current-day medical technologies are not anywhere close to those depicted in the show, researchers are making significant progress in this area. For example, telemedicine platforms are allowing patients to access medical care remotely, which can be particularly beneficial for patients who live in rural areas or have mobility issues. Similarly, the use of AI in medical research is helping researchers to make new discoveries and develop more effective treatments for diseases.

• Finally, the show features advanced holographic technologies that are used to create realistic simulations of people and places. While today's holographic technology is not yet advanced enough to create fully immersive simulations, researchers are making significant progress in this area. For example, researchers are exploring the use of holographic technology to create realistic 3D models of buildings and landscapes, which could be used in a wide range of applications, from architecture to urban planning.

Overall, while the technologies depicted in Star Trek Discovery may seem like pure fantasy, many of them have the potential to become real in the not-too-distant future. Researchers and engineers are making significant progress in areas such as 3D printing, Deeptech, FoodTech, Generative AI and Holographic technology, and it is likely that these technologies will continue to evolve and improve in the years to come.?

As a result, it is possible that we will one day be able to experience the same advanced technologies that are depicted in the show, making science fiction a reality. Founders building in these sectors and experimenting with new technologies (even creating them!) can learn from the series (I don't mind a rerun just to take a deep dive into all the potential technologies they have imagined adding to a great narrative.)

Considering how advanced technologies can be used to improve future products and services, founders should be tinkering and experimenting every day. By embracing innovation and creativity, founders can create a new and exciting vision for India and the world at large, that can improve the lives of humanity and create new opportunities for growth and success.

Thoughts Founders, Disruptors, Builders, Entrepreneurs?

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