Forcast-2100. Technologies of the Future?
KEY CONCLUSIONS
The world of the future will make the human dream of immortality come true
“Medicine does not only fight diseases. It also improves and perfects the human body and identifies the genes responsible for aging. We have already identified about 60 genes that are responsible for aging. Thus far, the aging process is irreversible, but I believe that by 2100 we will have achieved both digital and biological immortality. … We will be able to bring back to life extinct creatures that had roamed the Earth tens of thousands years ago. We already have the genome of the mammoth and the Neanderthal.” – Michio Kaku, Professor of Physics, Co-founder of the String Field Theory, Futurologist
Thoughts and feelings will have become material
“The Internet will have become a brainnet, we will be able to transmit sensations, feelings, emotions over the Internet. We are already able to transmit animals’ memories.” – Michio Kaku
“Everything that can be created from memories can be made. Everything that is present in our intelligence can be done by a machine. I cannot predict when exactly, but it is possible. … 90% of humanity bases their lives on their intelligence and physical abilities; that can be re-created in machines.” – Sadhguru, Yogi and Mystic; Founder of the Isha Foundation
“The future development will be primarily linked to imagination. … The prospect of technological development is investment in transforming our mind. Now we need technologies to cut the time people spend on labor, primarily on physical labor.” – Dmitry Mednikov, Deputy General Director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK)
Key technologies of the future are born today
“Three factors that determine the future are artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, and nanotechnologies. On the whole, they will work to increase prosperity and well-being.” – Michio Kaku
“I think the artificial intelligence will form a sector that is larger than today’s car industry. The car itself will become a robot. The danger is that at some point, robots will become sentient.” – Michio Kaku
“We will have solar power that is cheaper than fossil fuel due to revolutionary developments in power storage technologies. … The first nuclear fusion reactor is expected to be developed by the middle of the century.” – Michio Kaku
“We will have hypersonic commercial transportation; first prototypes will have been developed already by 2025. There are already designs and innovations for hypersonic planes not exposed to g-forces that destroyed the Concorde.” – Michio Kaku
PROBLEMS
Uncontrollable technological development is a threat to humanity
“Machines are already a danger. Every year, more people die in car accidents than in wars. This is collateral damage we accept. … And it is horrible that one can destroy a whole city by simply pressing a button.” – Sadhguru
“By the end of the century, the robots will need to have built-in chip that disables them if they want to kill a human, sort of safety device. … When robots become smart enough to disable that safety device, we will have to merge with robots. I don’t think it will happen in this century, but it is quite possible in the next century. Instead of fighting robots, we can become superhumans.” – Michio Kaku
Technological knowledge of the world is limited
“We use all kinds of technologies to study nature, but we haven’t really got to know it. We try to use our technological knowledge of the nature of things to understand things that are impossible to understand. … Using technological approach, we will still lag many steps behind the way we should live.” – Dmitry Morozov, General Director, BIOCAD
Technologies do not cancel out polarization of society
“Those who come up with ideas and create robot partners will be humans, no matter their technological composition. … The ones who set down the categories control the world.” – Dmitry Mednikov
“There are so many people who need medications and cannot afford them, they do not have money for vaccines, and still we have the pharma lobbies that drive up prices.” – Sophie Shevardnadze, Journalist, Anchor
“The world is unfair from the get-go, it’s been created that way. I don’t believe in universal fairness, such is the human nature. … Hi-tech treatment will thus far remain a thing for the rich, and so will increased longevity.” – Dmitry Morozov
Technological development undermines the importance of interpersonal communication
“Technological progress and communications progress bring about all-encompassing solitude; today, people can communicate from across the globe, but at the same time, they become more and more isolated. … The problem is people stop needing each other.” – Sophie Shevardnadze
SOLUTIONS
Availability of knowledge should serve the world and democracy
“The Internet spreads democracy: the more educated people are, the more powerful they feel, and it spreads the concept of democracy. … Let’s hope that as the Internet spreads, there will be fewer wars.” – Michio Kaku
Control over technologies must be preserved
“Any technology is a double-edged sword. It can be used against diseases, illiteracy, poverty, or against humans. Therefore we need to be sure we control those powerful technologies.” – Michio Kaku
Education will help preserve the human society
“Education is the key to everything; we should educate people in such a way as to prevent society from splitting into small warring groups.” – Michio Kaku.
More detailed information is available on the website of the Roscongress Foundation information and analytical system.
