In the past century, people used to predict that flying cars will replace the automobiles they used back then. But instead, technology seemed to offer something loads better. We’ve got smartphones, tablets, artificial intelligence, online data storage, and more.
What’s more, we may not even need phones, tablets, or PCs anymore to browse our feeds soon. If we buy high-quality smart glasses, which can now be found in the market, we’ll be able to fit a myriad smart functions in the frame our glasses, in addition to having our eyesight improve.
The continuous evolution of smart technology is truly awe-inspiring. Right now, it seems to have already given us everything that we need and more. So what else do they have in store for the next five years? Do we finally get flying cars, or just more optimized versions of what we already have?
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) started gaining popularity in the 2000s, long before Siri and Alexa. It is advancing very rapidly, and in five years, it’s foreseen to enhance website search and improve customer engagement. Voice-powered applications will be impacted the most. Furthermore, it will emerge into healthcare, providing virtual doctors and AI-powered diagnostics.
In the retail industry, shoppers may soon just use their voices to add items to their virtual carts. Euromonitor International estimates that roughly 5% of online purchases in the U.S. and China will be conducted via voice commands by 2023.
Market research firm Gartner also predicted an exponential growth in the AI sector financially. By 2022, its global business value could reach $3.9 trillion.
The Internet of Things
More commonly referred to as IoT, this technology is seen to automate even more commerce functions in the next five years. It may soon replace humans altogether in tasks such as replenishing inventory, and making purchase orders.
Cloud
Cloud may already be familiar to all of us. In the next five years, it will likely enhance security and scalability of e-commerce websites. It will optimize website speed and showcase the user-friendliest features. Moreover, it will make audits easier, enabling threats to be detected and dealt with faster.
Quantum Computers
Cloud will not be the only tech improving speed in five years. If you’ve read the Young Adult Sci-fi series of Katharine McGee, entitled “The Thousandth Floor,” you may soon have “Nadia” embedded behind your ear, too. Though it may not be that extreme yet, quantum computers are still seen to have its first break within the next five years, enhancing cybersecurity and enabling smarter encryption.
Robots
When Lil Miquela rose to fame, many people suspected that highly realistic-looking robots are already among us far longer than we think. But the character turned out just to be a CGI creation, empowered with AI so she can carry conversations like a real human being.
Still, Lil Miquela is a proof that AI will eventually supersede human behavior and intelligence. It will begin with robots replacing humans in performing menial tasks, until they also become social media influencers like Lil Miquela. (Although we probably have to wait longer than five years for that.)
Startups Based in Space
Another fantasy of sci-fi fans may already become a reality in five years. With Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, startups over the next five years may already be based in space. The idea may sound far-fetched for now because of all the crises the world is facing, but a lot can change in five years, so we can only cross our fingers about this prediction.
With all these groundbreaking innovations in store for us, it seems that we are indeed already living the future that was only imagined in sci-fi before. Flying cars may not be included in the predictions, but we definitely got better than we expected.
