The future is declassified

Kristina Egorova, RIA VistaNewsWhat awaits humanity in fifteen years?

How can the latest technologies affect human life? Matthew Burrows, author of the book "The Future: Declassified. What will the world be like in 2030" tried to look into the future to answer these questions, which gave rise to a lot of discussions among scientists.

The writer has been studying global trends in the development of science and society for a decade by order of the White House and the US Department of Defense. In this article we will highlight the main, in our opinion, information from his book.

Food sphere. The world will experience a significant shortage of food and water by 2030. Mankind will consume more cereal crops than it will produce. The ratio of supply and demand will have a discrepancy of 35%.

Water reserves will be lacking by 40% in comparison with its consumption. Agriculture currently requires 3,100 billion ^m3 of water annually. This is 70% of the total global volume of water in the world. In fifteen years, farmers' demand for water will increase by 50%, while productivity will not improve its indicators. Fertile lands are being worn out, and yields need to be increased every year in order to feed humanity.

Africa is the first continent on the risk list for agricultural scarcity. Product indicators have now significantly decreased – to the level of the 70s of the last century. 

Many states do not have the necessary infrastructure for the development of agricultural industry and transport links to deliver the necessary seeds to the interior of the continent. Thus, Bangladesh, Egypt and Sudan will become the most dependent on wheat imports. Due to the increase in inflation, subsidies will be provided in these countries for obtaining basic foodstuffs.

The largest producers of grain crops are two countries – Russia and China. Their situation with wheat will be better in comparison with other states.

Nanotechnology. Now humanity is going through a period when a lot depends on him personally. Science does not just research, it also invents nanotechnologies that serve for the benefit of man. Microchips embedded in the human body are gaining huge popularity. John Hopkins is an American doctor who helps with prosthetics for many soldiers who returned with serious injuries after the fighting, actively uses implants in his practice. So, the chip is implanted into the brain in order to control the robotic arm. A signal is sent from the brain, which, through a cable connection, gives the robot limb an impulse about the necessary action. In the future, such a connection is likely to become wireless.

Amazing developments are observed in the field of vision. A chip is inserted into the brain of a blind person, which is externally connected to a device visually similar to sunglasses. Next, the sensor transmits a signal to the brain about what it sees. A person with a missing ability to see has a feeling that he sees with his own eyes what is happening, transmitted by "smart glasses".

Another achievement of nanotechnology will be exoskeletons that increase human physical endurance. This invention will find wide application in the military industry, where soldiers will be able to increase the load capacity up to 100kg. Also, exoskeletons will help make life easier for the elderly generation when lifting weights and walking.

In the field of prosthetics, chips will help patients with severe forms of diseases in the work of the spinal cord, bypassing damaged areas, to give signals to non-functioning limbs.

Neuroscience will create microchips that allow a person to see in the dark, as well as improve memory and speed of thought. Such developing trends in this nano-industry could outstrip the development of Google Glass about a wearable minicomputer with a transparent display that a person can wear on his head in order to provide himself with Internet access in any places.

As for the duration of human life, there is a significant increase in its indicators. So the average end-of-life age in the world in 1990 was only 64 years. And in 2011 it rose to 70. Such studies do not concern countries such as Zimbabwe, Libya, North Korea.

Artificial intelligence will also develop. In the next decade, a computer will be created that will be able to simulate the work of the human brain. Such scientific achievements in the field of computer technology will help people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

In the labor market, there will be a struggle for a workplace between a human and a robot. This problem will be especially acute in the field of electronics. So, Foxconn, a Chinese manufacturer of Apple products, plans to robotize the work of its organization by 80%. This is due to the desire to reduce the labor costs of employees who require a significant increase, and also solves the issue of conscientious and professional recruitment of employees.

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01.07.2015