7 Emerging AI Technologies That Could Change the World

We’re standing on the edge of a technological revolution that feels straight out of a sci-fi novel. Imagine a world where diseases like cancer are eradicated, machines are smarter than us, and everyday objects are packed with enough intelligence to anticipate our needs. By 2040, this could be our reality, and we owe it all to some incredible AI breakthroughs.

These technologies won’t just improve our lives, they’ll flip the script on what we think is possible. They’re already in development, with governments and companies pouring billions into making them real. Here, we will discuss seven AI technologies that could completely reshape our world. But, with this immense power comes great responsibility. How do we ensure it’s used for good?

Let’s look at the future we’re building and the technologies making it possible.

1. Quantum Computing: More Power Than We Can Imagine

Quantum computing is the superhero of the tech world. It’s not just a step up from classical computers, it’s a whole new ball game. Classical computers process information in bits (0s or 1s), but quantum computers use qubits, which can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously, thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. This lets them process mind-blowingly complex calculations that would be impossible with today’s tech. A quantum computer could solve problems in seconds that would take traditional computers thousands of years.

In May 2021, the 66-qubit Zuchongzhi 2 was introduced, a quantum computer utilizing superconducting chips. While Zuchongzhi 2 holds the title of the fastest quantum computer in China, the global leader is IBM's 433-qubit Osprey, launched in November of last year.

Where You’ll See It

• Drug Discovery: Imagine curing diseases by simulating every possible drug interaction at lightning speed.
• Cybersecurity: Current encryption might become vulnerable to quantum attacks, which means we’ll need quantum-resistant encryption (yep, the next level of hacker-proofing).

 

2. Neuromorphic Computing: Machines That Think Like Us

The human brain uses just 20 watts of power, less than a lightbulb to perform complex tasks. Neuromorphic chips aim to replicate this. Imagine if computers could think like human brains, learning and adapting without needing constant reprogramming.

Neuromorphic computing tries to mimic how our brain's neurons and synapses function. These systems can evolve over time, processing sensory information like touch, sound, and vision far more efficiently than today’s AI.

Intel’s Hala Point, the world’s largest neuromorphic computer, showcases the potential of brain-inspired computing. Powered by efficient Loihi chips, it delivers sustainable AI with real-time processing and advanced machine learning capabilities. This technology promises to transform fields like robotics and medical diagnostics by mimicking the brain's efficiency.

Where You’ll See It

• Healthcare: Adaptive AI that learns from patients and improves personalized care.
• Energy Efficiency: Neuromorphic chips use much less power than traditional processors. Tiny, low-energy chips could power everything from smartwatches to medical devices that learn from your body’s rhythms.

3. Robots That Learn: Advanced Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Robots are getting a serious upgrade. Not only are they becoming smarter, but they’re also learning to adapt to new environments. From surgical robots assisting in life-saving operations to autonomous drones delivering packages, robots are evolving into collaborative partners rather than just tools.

The Japanese company Softbank, introduced Pepper, a robot designed to read and respond to human emotions. Equipped with an emotional engine and a cloud-based AI system, Pepper can analyze gestures, facial expressions, and voice tones to interpret emotional states.

Where You’ll See It

• Healthcare: Robots will assist in surgeries with unparalleled precision. Imagine a surgeon in New York operating on a patient in Tokyo through a robot’s hands.
• Logistics: Think self-driving delivery robots navigating the streets with your groceries or a drone dropping off your Amazon package at your doorstep.

4. Genetic Engineering: Rewriting the Code of Life

We’re not just mapping genomes anymore, we’re editing them. Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 allow us to make precise edits to the genetic code, with possibilities ranging from eradicating genetic diseases to creating disease-resistant crops. We’re even talking about designer babies, choosing traits like intelligence or athletic ability before they’re born. We can now cut and paste DNA with CRISPR, like editing a Word document, and remove genetic diseases before they manifest.

A chinese biophysicist, He Jiankui stunned the world by announcing that his team had used the gene-editing tool CRISPR to create the first gene-edited babies, twin girls named Nana and Lulu. However, the experiment lacked legal backing under China's regulations and violated ethical guidelines on embryo research. Additionally, the CCR5 gene is linked to brain functions, raising concerns that the edits may have unintentionally enhanced the twins' intelligence, sparking ethical debates.

5. Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): Blurring the Line Between Real and Digital

Virtual reality (VR) immerses you in a completely digital environment, while augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto the real world. These technologies will change everything from entertainment to how we work and learn. For instance, working from home but attending meetings in a fully immersive VR office. Or learning history by walking through a virtual ancient Rome. 

NASA’s Johnson Space Center Virtual Reality Lab (VRL) is revolutionizing astronaut training with advanced virtual reality simulations for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and robotics operations. Using the NASA Trick simulation environment and Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG), astronauts can rehearse on-orbit procedures in an immersive setting. The lab features a unique zero-gravity mass simulation that replicates the handling of objects in space, providing realistic tactile feedback.

Where You’ll See It

• Education: Imagine students attending virtual classes from anywhere in the world, going on virtual field trips to space or inside the human body.
• Work: AR glasses that give you real-time information about what you’re working on, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

6. Artificial General Intelligence 

While today’s AI is great at specific tasks, think of AI beating humans at chess or diagnosing diseases. AGI is the holy grail, machines that possess human-like general intelligence. These systems won’t just follow rules or patterns, they’ll reason, learn, and adapt to entirely new challenges. It’s like having a machine that can understand everything.

An early version of OpenAI's GPT-4 represents a new class of large language models (LLMs) with enhanced general intelligence. It can perform complex tasks in fields like mathematics, coding, medicine, and law, often achieving human-level performance without special prompting, suggesting it may be a precursor to artificial general intelligence (AGI). Despite its remarkable capabilities, limitations remain, highlighting the need for advancements beyond next-word prediction. This technological leap also carries significant societal implications and opens up avenues for future research.

Where You’ll See It

• Science and Research: AGI could help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges, like climate change or developing cures for diseases faster than humans ever could.
• Day-to-day life: Imagine a personal assistant AI that doesn’t just follow commands but anticipates your needs, organizes your day, and even solves problems you didn’t know you had.

7. Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is all about manipulating materials at an atomic level, giving us control over the smallest building blocks of matter. This will revolutionize fields like medicine, where we could create nano-sized robots that deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, and electronics, where we’ll build faster, smaller devices.

Graphene, a revolutionary material, is around 200 times stronger than steel, making it a wonder material in various fields including electronics, medicine, and construction. Recent studies indicate that inhaling graphene oxide in controlled doses poses no significant health risks, paving the way for its broader application. Its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity opens possibilities for innovations such as quantum computers and advanced batteries. Discovered through a simple experiment, graphene's potential impact on technology and construction is expected to be profound within this decade.

Where You’ll See It

• Medicine: Nanobots that target specific cells in your body, delivering drugs with pinpoint accuracy and minimal side effects.
• Energy: Nanomaterials that create better batteries—think electric cars with a range of 1,000 miles or solar cells that are significantly more efficient.

 

Final Word

The technologies we’ve just explored are more than breakthroughs, they’re the foundation of the future we’re building. But with great power comes great responsibility. As these technologies evolve, we need to ask ourselves tough questions. How do we ensure they’re used ethically? How do we prevent AI from deepening inequality or genetic engineering from creating a dystopia of designer humans? The future is bright, but it’s also up to us to ensure it stays that way. Are we ready for what’s coming?