Which technologies will really matter in the long run?

While we can’t predict the future with absolute certainty, we do expect certain technologies to have a profound impact on our world for decades to come. Here are 8 technologies highlighted by MIT Technology Review that will significantly influence our work and personal lives. My personal favourite are the Cattle Burping Remedies!?

1. Generative AI search will revolutionize the way we find information. Instead of sifting through a list of search results, you'll get a unique answer summarized from various online sources. Imagine your device scanning through documents, photos, and videos, recognizing objects and people to help you locate them faster. Traditional search engines may soon be a thing of the past as personal AI assistants rise.
2. Small language models are making waves. While large language models with trillions of parameters have shown amazing capabilities, smaller models, which are cheaper and less power-hungry, are proving to be just as effective for specific tasks. It’s time for these nimble contenders to shine.
3. Cattle burping remedies are perhaps the most surprising yet impactful innovation. Cow burps are a significant source of agricultural emissions, particularly methane. Now, food supplements that reduce methane emissions are available, and even more effective solutions are on the horizon.
4. Methane detecting satellites represent a leap forward in our ability to monitor and manage methane emissions, which is crucial for combating climate change. These satellites, equipped with advanced sensors and multi-spectral imaging technologies, can detect methane with high precision, identifying sources like oil and gas facilities, landfills, and agriculture.
5. Robotaxis are no longer a futuristic dream. After years of testing, they are now available to the public in multiple cities worldwide. Companies like Waymo and Cruise are offering commercial robo-taxi services, and the competition is heating up as they expand into new territories.
6. Fast-learning robots are another product of the generative AI boom. These robots are getting closer to being general-purpose machines capable of performing a variety of tasks, from cleaning to gardening, almost instantly. The day when we all have a robot butler may not be far off.
7. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are breaking new ground in medicine, neuroscience, and technology. From helping paralyzed individuals regain movement to allowing users to control prosthetic limbs with their thoughts, BCIs are transforming lives. The gaming industry is also exploring BCIs, enabling players to control games with their brain activity.
8. Hyper realistic deepfakes have advanced significantly, thanks to improvements in AI and deep learning. These tools create realistic facial animations and expressions, finding applications in movies, television, and even personalized marketing. However, the potential for misuse raises ethical concerns that we must address through research and regulatory frameworks.

With every opportunity come challenges, often ethical. We need to consider not just whether we can, but whether we should. As technologies advance at breakneck speed, we must strive to understand their full impact before integrating them into our daily lives.