The Last Word
By Ben Turnbull | Posted: Tuesday May 16, 2023
Today I pose an important question: What does the future hold?
In the past 150 years, society has experienced more advancements than in the preceding thousand years. In 1873, technology like airplanes, cars, and even the telephone were nonexistent. Today, a handheld device can perform numerous tasks such as financial transactions, instant communication across the globe, and provide information within seconds. We have witnessed the development of high-speed planes capable of traveling thousands of kilometers per hour and cars reaching speeds over 400 km per hour.
Considering the rapid pace of advancement, it is important to contemplate the cultural impacts. It is evident that not everyone will be able to keep up with the accelerating rate of progress. Continuing at the same speed without thoughtful consideration may result in dire consequences. Furthermore, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about transformative changes. AI can now write essays, read and summarize articles, automate vehicles, diagnose diseases, and even contribute to drug discovery.
AI has the potential to surpass human intelligence, either already or in the near future. Elon Musk has expressed concerns about the need for the US government to have contingency plans in place to shut down areas housing advanced AI servers in case control is lost, a truly scary thought. The current trajectory suggests that AI could become more capable than humans in many aspects, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Although AI can take over mundane tasks, it is unlikely to possess the same level of emotional intelligence as humans, and creative and original thinking may remain exclusive to humans.
It is crucial to acknowledge the potential risks associated with AI. For instance, AI technology is utilized in creating convincing deep fakes, which can deceive and manipulate information. This raises concerns about the authenticity of online content and challenges the credibility of video evidence. AI, while being a powerful tool, can also be a dangerous weapon.
Arguably one of the most impactful developments in human history, rivaling even the specialization of labor, has been the invention of the internet and social media. Astonishingly, today, more people have access to the internet than they do to basic sanitation facilities like toilets. These technological marvels have completely transformed the way we communicate, access information, and engage socially. The internet and social media offer multiple advantages, such as enhanced connectivity and exposure to diverse perspectives, resulting in a reshaping of the entire world. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the accompanying downsides, including the potential for addiction, privacy concerns, and the rise in misinformation.
Looking into the future, predicting technological advancements becomes a daunting task. The possibilities for the next 20, 50, or even 100 years are beyond our current imagination. Fifty years ago, no one could have foreseen the impact the internet would have on society today. If someone from that era were asked to envision the world in 2023, instead they might have pictured a society with hoverboards and floating cars as the pinnacle of progress.
But what will the world look like in 50 years? Will humans have successfully journeyed to Mars by then? Will another major global conflict arise? What will be the next remarkable advancement that shapes the course of humanity? These questions remain open, reminding us of the vast realm of possibilities that lie ahead.
Meanwhile, in only 27 years, by 2050 it is projected that robots will replace approximately 50% of jobs. Additionally, the global population is expected to reach 9.8 billion and potentially surpass 10 billion within the following seven years. Climate change will bring challenges, with rising sea levels and a 1.5 degree celsius increase in temperature.
Despite uncertainties, we are in control of shaping the future. Each of us has the ability to make a significant impact through our actions today and tomorrow. Worrying can be a sign of care, and the question we must ask ourselves is whether we will leave the world in a better state than we found it.
In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "The best way to predict the future is to create it."
