Future

11 Emerging and Futuristic Technologies for the Global Economy and Personal Investment

Compelling technology values and use cases that positively transform business, the economy, digital intelligence, and overall well-being

Introduction and Purpose

Technology is changing our economy and finances at an alarming rate. As a technology writer, one of the most frequent requests from my loyal readers is to write articles about technologies that might give them some information on future investment.

I can make technological and scientific predictions based on research and prior experience. Therefore, I invest in technology stocks based on my decades of experience focusing on emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, IoT, big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and quantum computing.

However, I am not an economist or a financial advisor. Therefore, I cannot give financial advice. Nevertheless, I provide a balanced view by opening a window to the tech world for you.

This article introduces eleven emerging technology tools and processes that might have a significant economic impact globally within the next two decades.

I briefly introduce each with critical use cases and global sentiments within a philosophical and spiritual context. It is not possible to detail eleven remarkable technologies in a single article. This is just a quick taste now, or a teaser, if you will, and I plan to create a detailed article for each item in this story.

I don’t judge these technologies as good or bad. I simply introduce them based on my observations and understanding of the literature. People have different views on emerging technology. Some think these technologies are evil, and some think they are a godsend. I leave the judgment to the readers by keeping my neutrality as a researcher and narrator.

With any scientific and technological breakthrough, there is always the other side of the coin. Every invention comes with risks. We sometimes see them early, and some appear at later stages of the lifecycle.

The earlier we detect them and take caution, the better outcomes we can get. Being bold and cautious is essential for humanity. My motto is nothing to be feared but to be understood, as inspired by Madam Curie. Everything is relative to something else.

AI and computer chips at the nanoscale are two significant technologies affecting these eleven emerging technologies. You can check my finding on semiconductors in this article within the technology shocks context. I also posted several articles about AI.

I introduced digital intelligence and artificial intelligence in two books by looking at them from multiple angles. Both are by-products of our natural intelligence, also known as intellect. Design Thinking is an enabler of the values and use cases of the technology. But there is more to intelligence than these concepts, as we are multidimensional beings. For example, intuition plays a critical role in making decisions.

Some emerging technologies might not be unattainable in our lifetime, but these eleven technologies will undoubtedly affect our lives within the next two decades. Purposefully, I don’t specifically discuss artificial intelligence, digital intelligence, and computer chips as they are over-compassing technology constructs for these eleven items that I categorized for easy digestion and consumption.

I assume if you read this article in 2040, you might probably give it a thumbs up as these technologies might be part of your daily life. The Internet and mobile phones a few decades ago were only thoughts.

So, here are the key technology tools and processes without further ado.

1 — Internet of Everything

Undoubtedly, the Internet changed our lives. We started with the Internet as a tool to communicate. Then, however, we learned to add the Internet to objects known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Now we find ways to add the Internet to our bodies, creating a more intimate relationship with technology.

Like IoT, the Internet of Bodies (IoB) can bring many health and fitness benefits to our bodies, contributing to our well-being. However, without proper design based on ethical factors and regulatory governance focus, it can cause unprecedented risks and issues to humanity. No one wants their personal information to spread across the Internet.

We already experience safety and security with IoT devices. We will be facing similar issues with IoB devices. Fitness devices already collect information from bodies and save data in central locations. Creating internal AI-powered chips is the aspiration of IoB. The initial use is to monitor our bodies, collect health information, and transmit data over the Internet.

A valid concern at this stage is the emotional aspect of IoB. Some AI companies are working on systems to detect and collect data on human emotions by analyzing facial expressions, voice intonations, and other audio and visual signals. This data, if unregulated, can cause privacy, safety, and security issues.

The idea of the Internet everywhere is excellent. Some leading companies like Google invest in this by creating new mechanisms like balloons for rural areas in third-world countries.

The 5G technology expedited the spread of the Internet and made it more viable for everything and every aspiration in the digital world. Some companies are allegedly already working on 6G to enhance the features of 5G.

2 — Regenerative Medicine and Cognitive Health

As science has shown, stem cells can self-renew and create other types of cells in our bodies. Therefore, we can use these unique cells for producing and maintaining tissues. Although modern medicine embraced this technology, research funds are allocated for scientists to research it heavily.

As we age, we lose cognitive capability. Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease is a nightmare for the aging population. Medical and pharmacological organizations invest in finding remedies for dementia and other related cognitive health conditions.

The goal of cognitive health is not to address the issues but also to prevent them. Thus, longevity enthusiasts have an interest in technologies advancing human health. I know that biopharmaceutical companies selling unique therapeutic products for weakening brain disorders are in demand.

Updating our organs is not a dream anymore. They are not very common yet, but there is remarkable progress. We now have artificial muscles stronger than natural muscles. You might find a few examples in this video.

Neurolink introduced by Elon Musk sounds compelling to address cognitive issues in future cyber bodies. For example, a proposed chip in the brain can detect diseases and alert healthcare professionals immediately. The project also envisions cognitive enhancement for people. However, ethical concerns prevail regarding the creation of artificial super-intelligence, perhaps by inserting chips into the human skull.

Braingate is a brain implant system. It is currently under development with clinical trials. Engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists are working on this project. The purpose of this initiative is to assist people who have lost control of their limbs due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. This initiative offers a helpful tool and process for mobility problems, such as those experienced by ALS patients.

3 — Home, Business, Industrial Automation

Automation is an old concept in the industry. Many large companies have already experienced it. Until recently, automation was created by classical technologies. Then, computing and the Internet helped progress.

However, a significant contribution to automation was made by intelligent robots empowered by artificial intelligence technology. Robots can do difficult and boring tasks for us.

Various types of specialized robots were created for automating our homes, offices, and factories. The food and agriculture industries embraced robots recently. Some robots, like Sophia gained global recognition and were even recognized with citizenship.

The wholesale and retail industry also started using intelligent robots to automate warehouses. For example, Amazon automated several warehouses with robotics.

4- Bioprinting, 3-D Printing, and Nanotechnology

3-D printing has been used for many years. However, the progress is relatively slow. So far, the print tasks are for small items. Automation and integration of 3-D printing are not widespread.

There are many compelling use cases for 3-D printing. It will be possible to print the parts of valuable objects needed to create new entities. We will be able to print cars and even houses.

The key technology to enable aspirations is Nanotechnology to empower 3-D printing. Nanotechnology will allow us to print objects at the molecular level.

Now a new trend called bioprinting allows us to print human tissues, bones, skin cells, esophagus, and even blood vessels.

Bionic prosthesis linking the human nervous system and artificial gadgets is a medical focus in some institutes.

I don’t know about replacing our organs, but nano-suits look like a compelling idea perhaps we might achieve within the next 50 years.

5 — Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

Biotechnology is the fastest-growing industry.

Biotechnology uses molecular and cellular processes to develop products aiming to improve our lives. Science has made good progress in using microorganisms. An innovative approach uses emerging technologies to create and manipulate organisms. Exoskeletons versus endoskeletons is a common theme in biotechnology.

Biotechnology is already used in the agriculture, health, and chemical industries successfully. For example, it helped us create new plants, improve health conditions, and streamline chemical manufacturing processes.

Genetic engineering has also made significant progress. The compelling use case is debilitating illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. For example, gene splicing can cut off mutated sections of DNA. The Nobel-winning Crispr concept is a prominent example of it.

Changing our bodies through technology is not far-fetched anymore. There are many examples of people who have disability problems. For example, artist and model Kelly Knox inspired biotechnologists to focus on creating body parts.

Cyborgs are controversial, but science and technology should not stop investigating possibilities for compelling reasons, such as addressing disability issues. Relatively, genetic enhancements look more palatable than bionic enhancements to some.

6 — Self-Driving and Autonomous Vehicles

Cars bring a lot of joy to our lives. However, they also killed millions of people, but unlike guns, the automobile is not the problem. Their dangerous misuse ironically did not stop them from becoming ubiquitous. Road safety has become a global issue. Transportation gains made a significant economic impact.

In addition to the impact of accidents, traffic congestion has also become a major problem in many countries. People spend many hours commuting. It is very stressful for many of us. Shared mobility, especially e-bikes, gained momentum in large cities like New York.

Self-driving cars, buses, and trucks can address these issues. Autonomous vehicles can have a suggestive impact on the economy. This value proposition was recognized by vehicle manufacturers who invest heavily in designing and producing autonomous automobiles.

7 — Self-Healing Buildings and Smart Cities

Sustainability is a global problem and the focus of many governments. Building new houses in crowded cities turned out to be a nightmare. Dense populations require sustainable solutions.

New technologies, such as self-healing materials, are being developed. These materials can clear harmful constituents like toxins and mosses. These engineered and eco-friendly substances can also prevent cracks.

Smart cities use various emerging technologies to reduce energy consumption, enhance resource usage, increase safety, and improve the lives of citizens. The integration of digital twins, IoT, big data, and cloud computing helps develop smart cities.

8 — Mobility, Chatbots, Voice & Video Assistance

Mobile technologies have already entered our lives. Affordable smartphones changed the way we do business. Voice assistance, even though still primitive at this stage, helps us speed up the communication process. As a result, new voice tools such as Alexa became part of our homes.

Mobility tools such as GPS ease our commute problems. AI is improving GPS systems. For example, a simple method for modifying a GPS navigational system is incorporating a simple learning paradigm using velocity profiles.

Chatbots are proliferating. Businesses, education, and government organizations use chatbots for various reasons.

New inventions will make these mobility tools grow faster. For example, Microsoft has patented an invention for users’ brains to receive ads. This patent describes a system that would scan a user’s brain activity or other biological signals to ensure they completed a task, such as watching a commercial.

9 — Cryptocurrencies, Digital Wallets, NFTs

With the advent of blockchain and the start of bitcoin, we have a new economic revolution. First, there was some resistance by people and governments, but then, digital currencies shook the world. Now many countries invest in digital currencies.

Our concept of money changed over the years. Now we are aiming for a cashless society. Digital wallets will contribute to this aspiration. We will pay for anything and everything via digital wallets.

Related to cryptocurrencies, now a new economic construct is emerging. It is called NFT (Non-Fungible Token), as I introduced in this article. Interestingly, people sell unusual things that we cannot even imagine the growing business for and the values ascribed to these items.

10 — Mixed Reality, Online Gaming, and Digital Sex

Virtual reality and augmented reality are commonly used in many fields. Now, technologists are working on mixed realities by including multiple senses in the virtual world. Digital Scent Technologies allow AI Machines to have a sense of smell now.

Two rapidly growing entertainment industries are gaming and sex. Half of the internet is believed to be sex and computer games.

However, digital sex is going beyond the Internet. The most interesting movement is the availability of sex robots mimicking human sexual and emotional behavior. Sex robots are already sold in many countries. On the rise of digisexualities, digital brothels and dating sites are created.

Online gaming is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In addition to computer gaming software, the Internet is used as a platform for gamers. For example, Twitch is a streaming platform used by online gamers to earn significant money. NFT games such as Big Time and DeRace are also on the horizon.

11 — Quantum Machines

Quantum physics is relatively old, but quantum computing is new. It has remarkable use cases if we find ways to manifest them. However, the technology is very complex.

The problem is that information is processed in unusual ways in quantum computing. We call them ԛquantum states. These states are explained with the concepts like superposition and entanglement.

Entanglement refers to a phenomenon happening in particles in a quantum state of each particle of the group that cannot be described independently of the state of the others. Superposition means that objects in a quantum state can be combined, superposed, and manifest in another valid quantum state. So, everything is possible in the quantum world.

The current technology systems, including supercomputers using artificial intelligence software, cannot use these quantum states easily. Therefore, it might take more years than previously mentioned technologies to create mass products. However, a few prominent business organizations like IBM and Google have already made quantum machines even commercially.

Conclusions and Takeaways

We know that the universe is endless. So are the possibilities for our growth. However, our aspirations, points of view, and lifestyles make a massive difference in this growth and economic impact.

For example, some of us enjoy an organic body that lets us enjoy every moment, touch, sight, taste, and smell, and some of us want an improved hybrid body. It is a personal preference. Some of us want to live within a natural time span, and some prefer a longer life. Defining normal can be very challenging as we are all unique.

Digital immortality might be a desire for some, but it also disturbs others. These decisions are incredibly complex and cannot be solved with just intellect. We are multidimensional beings hence need to evaluate these life-changing ideas with multiple intelligence. Digital intelligence is only a tiny capability for society. Some even use the term digital consciousness, which cannot be explained with our current knowledge, which is just a droplet in the immeasurable ocean.

We all value our privacy. No one wants their brain to be controlled by others and external factors. For example, while Neurolink might bring many health and well-being benefits to humanity, this concept also poses many risks at a fundamental level.

Our flesh has a predetermined time per our knowledge, but consciousness is believed to be eternal. Whether consciousness belongs to an individual or the cosmos is still debatable. As I mentioned in this story, we still struggle to define consciousness.

Agreeing on what is normal presents a challenge, particularly in the current climate of factionalization. What is normal to me might not be normal to another. The critical point to consider is that while these emerging technologies offer compelling benefits to aspiring users, they also create unprecedented opportunities for hackers.

I see technology and science as tools. We can use them to make our lives better or miserable. The planet has been screaming at us for over a century. Yet, we do dumb things with these tools. We might park philosophical and spiritual aspects aside for further discussions. However, these emerging technology tools and processes have the potential to make a substantial economic impact on our well-being.

I introduced these technologies that are available now. It is up to you to invest in them or not. Our challenge as humans is to mass produce them within ethical boundaries. Some of us have already missed the early crypto benefits due to doubts. Everything nowadays changes at an alarming rate.

I don’t know about you, but if a technology product resonates with me, if it has economic viability, and if my intuition says yes, I’d go for it. One good practice I learned in my investment journey is the importance of diversification. As discussed in this article, despite my love of technology products, my preferred investment is still diversified real estate.

I leave you with what William Blake said in the 1800s: “What is now proved was once only imagined,”; and with a key point from a remarkable mentor, Jim Rohn, who reminded us, “without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value”.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you the best in achieving your investment goals.

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