Technological Progressions Year 2050 in review

The year 2050 is not so far off, so be prepared for it as the world will be on the verge of a
technological transformation unlike any seen before. A new era, previously thought to exist
only in science fiction, would have dawned as a result of the high speed of innovation, which
would have affected every aspect of human life. As we enter this new era, we find ourselves
in the midst of a landscape of astounding developments that have transformed entire
industries, expanded human potential, and altered our fundamental understanding of what it
means to be human.

Our possible lifestyle in 2050

Think about waking up in a room with natural light through body clock-controlled smart
windows. Your AI buddy wakes you up with a nice update on the day’s activities and a meal
that fits your diet and health goals. You can always look your best with nanotechnology in
your clothes. Today, commuting is obsolete. Connected to the city’s transit network,
autonomous electric vehicles get you there promptly. Your AI assistant adjusts the
temperature, lighting, and scent to fit your mood at home. VR experiences bring viewers to
other realms, such as the deep depths, distant galaxies, or historical events, enriching free
time.
The majority of the world’s cities are now “smart cities,” using data analytics, sensors, and
IoT gadgets to improve productivity, environmental impact, and quality of life. Autonomous
vehicles and intelligent traffic control technologies have significantly decreased traffic
congestion. Self-regulating energy systems in buildings maximise efficiency and lessen
environmental impact.

You may be thinking it’s like watching Black Mirror, but it will no longer be an episode
on Netflix; it will be a reality.

Now, let’s look at some examples of promising futures we could have in conjunction
with various sectors:

Communication

• We are currently in a hybrid 4G–5G era, with 4G ushering in a revolution in data
  consumption and 5G focusing on connecting the Internet of Things (IoT) and
  industrial automation systems, but by 2050, we will have entered the 6G era, in which
  the digital, physical, and human will merge in such a way as to trigger out-of-body
  experiences. Intelligent knowledge systems combined with computing power will
  revolutionise human life in every respect.
• Since this will be a “sixth sense” experience for people where physical sense meets
  artificial intelligence (AI), anticipate receiving significant improvements to features
  like touch control, imagery, and location awareness, especially when 6G collaborates
  with AI. Therefore, autonomous vehicles will be able to coordinate with one another,
  allowing them to safely navigate pedestrians and other vehicles. Smart wearable devices, headphones, and implants will soon complement human thought and action in real time, maybe replacing smartphones. Holographic technology will likely be incorporated into numerous apps, and augmented reality will likely replace virtual reality. As an alternative to a traditional video conference, for example, you might hold face-to-face discussions in VR using wearable sensors to simulate the presence of other participants.

E-Commerce

• It was just a decade ago, in 2013, that Jeff Bezos first mentioned deploying drones for
  delivery, and now, in 2019, those plans have been put into action. By 2050, drones
  will be seen delivering your food order on Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zomato, and you
  won’t have to wait the usual two to three days for your package to arrive from the
  Amazon or Flipkart warehouse.
• Contactless payments will become commonplace, and no, you won’t be able to use
  your credit or debit card to complete transactions. Instead, you’ll use your fingerprints,
  eyes, and facial recognition to complete transactions and payments while you’re on
  the move.

Transport

• Let’s say you wanted to go from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. If you have to commute 500
  kilometres (more than 7 hours) each day to get to and from work, you might be
  tempted to give up and embrace nihilism. However, if I told you that it wouldn’t take
  you more than an hour to cover that distance, you might reconsider. For decades, the
  idea of an Indian bullet train has been a pipe dream. However, in 2027, construction
  will begin on a train that will travel between Ahmedabad and Mumbai at 320
  kilometres per hour. If progress continues at this rate and our R&D is robust, we will
  be able to break the 1-hour barrier in no time. Additionally, the rapid development of
  public transport will give people greater freedom to move freely within their states in
  search of employment without having to leave their homes.
  • Electric vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of the movement towards carbon￾free transportation, and governments around the world are providing financial
    incentives for the widespread adoption of renewable energy. It’s likely that, in
    the not-too-distant future, you’ll see a lot more EVs on the road and maybe
    even in the sky

Health

• It’s possible that this is the area where everyone is eager to see change, given that the
  necessity for preventative action was widely recognised following the release of
  COVID. To inform you that scientists are actively searching for gene therapy as a
  means of treating cancer would represent a radical departure in the way we think
  about cancer treatment. In 2019, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released its first set of clinical guidelines, covering topics such as ethical clinical trials, government oversight, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Education

• Education in 2050 would revolve around personalization. Advanced AI systems
  assess students’ learning styles, strengths, weaknesses, and interests, creating tailor￾made curriculum. This ensures that each student’s educational journey is optimised for
  their specific needs, fostering deeper engagement and understanding.
• The emphasis shifts from memorising content to developing critical thinking,
  problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability. Students learn how to learn, equipping
  them to tackle new challenges and industries that may not even exist yet.
• Education transcends borders as global learning networks connect students, educators,
  and resources worldwide. Cultural exchange and international collaboration become
  an integral part of the educational experience.