9 AVANCES científicos y tecnológicos que veremos en 2024

Summary

In 2024, science and technology are poised for significant advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, space exploration, health, and environmental conservation. AI will see the launch of advanced models like GPT-5 and Google's Geminii. Space exploration will include Artemis 2's lunar flyby and China's lunar sample return mission. Health innovations involve mosquito production to combat diseases and lab-grown pork. The environmental focus includes the UN's legal battle against climate change and the negotiation of a plastics treaty. Space entertainment will take off with a zero-gravity film studio, and scientific exploration will delve deeper with missions to Jupiter's moon Europa and Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos.

Takeaways

• 🤖 Advancements in artificial intelligence are expected with the launch of GPT-5 by OpenAI and Google's Geminii, enhancing capabilities in AI models.
• 🚀 Space exploration will see missions to the Moon, including Artemis 2 by NASA and China's Chang'e 6, as well as missions to Jupiter's Europa and Mars' moons by NASA and Japan.
• 🧬 Innovations in health include the production of disease-fighting mosquitoes in Brazil and the expansion of lab-grown pork by the Dutch startup Meatable.
• 🧠 Supercomputing will play a significant role with the use of Jupiter for medical modeling and the installation of exascale machines like Aurora and El Capitan for advanced simulations.
• 🌌 Astronomy will benefit from new observatories like the Vera C. Rubin in Chile and the Simons Observatory in the Atacama Desert, focusing on transient phenomena and primordial gravitational waves.
• 🌍 Environmental concerns are addressed with potential legal rulings from the International Court of Justice on climate change and the conclusion of the UN treaty on plastic pollution.
• 🎬 Entertainment in space is set to take off with Space Entertainment Enterprise's plans for a zero-gravity film studio and sports pavilion on the International Space Station.
• 🌞 The Parker Solar Probe's mission to 'touch the Sun' continues, providing vital data on the Sun's corona and solar wind, enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena.
• 🏛️ The United Nations' high-level advisory board on AI is set to release its final report, potentially influencing global AI policies and ethical considerations.
• 🌐 Legal and environmental actions are on the rise, with the International Court of Justice possibly ruling on nations' obligations to combat climate change and the impact on those causing environmental harm.

Q & A

What advancements in the field of artificial intelligence are expected in 2024?

In 2024, advancements in artificial intelligence include the launch of GPT-5 by the creator of ChatGPT, OpenAI, which is anticipated to have more advanced capabilities than its predecessor, GPT-4. Additionally, Google's competitor to GPT-4, called Gemini, is expected to be released. There is also anticipation for a new version of AlphaFold from Google DeepMind, which could predict the three-dimensional structures of proteins with high precision, potentially leading to new possibilities in drug design and discovery.

What is the significance of the mosquito production in Brazil mentioned in the script?

In Brazil, a non-profit organization is set to produce mosquitoes infected with a bacterial strain that prevents them from spreading harmful viruses. This initiative could protect up to 70 million people from diseases like dengue and Zika, and the organization plans to produce up to 5 billion infected mosquitoes annually over the next decade.

What are the key space exploration missions planned for 2024 according to the script?

The script mentions several space exploration missions for 2024, including NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which will orbit the Moon for 10 days with four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. China is also preparing to launch a lunar sample return mission, Chang'e 6, which will be the first to collect samples from the far side of the Moon. Additionally, the Clipper mission by NASA aims to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, while Japan's MMX mission plans to visit Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos.

What are the objectives of the supercomputers mentioned in the script?

In 2024, the supercomputer Jupiter will be used to create digital twins of the human heart and brain for medical purposes and to simulate high-resolution Earth climate. In the United States, two exascale machines, Aurora at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois and the El Capitan at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, will be installed. Aurora will be used to create maps of brain neural circuits, while El Capitan will simulate the effects of nuclear weapon explosions.

What is the purpose of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile mentioned in the script?

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will begin utilizing its instruments by the end of 2024 to discover new transient phenomena and near-Earth asteroids. It is equipped with 50,000 light detectors and aims to enhance our understanding of the universe.

What concerns do astronomers have regarding the new telescopes mentioned in the script?

Astronomers are concerned that the increasing number of bright satellite constellations, which can contaminate the night sky, might affect the data collected by new terrestrial telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Simons Observatory.

What legal developments regarding climate change are expected in 2024 as per the script?

In 2024, the International Court of Justice of the Hague may issue a ruling on the legal obligations of nations to combat climate change. Although not legally binding, the court's influence could encourage countries to strengthen their climate objectives and be used in national legal cases.

What is the goal of the UN treaty on plastics mentioned in the script?

The UN treaty on plastics aims to eliminate plastic pollution caused by its use. The negotiations for this treaty are set to conclude in 2024. Since the 1950s, over 7 billion tons of plastic have been produced, with more than 5 billion tons being waste, contaminating oceans and harming wildlife.

What are the plans for space-based film production mentioned in the script?

Space Entertainment Enterprise, co-producers of Tom Cruise's upcoming space film, have announced plans to build a film production studio and a zero-gravity sports pavilion by December 2024. The module, named S1, will dock to the International Space Station's commercial arm, Axiom, and will host film, television, music, sports events, and content creators who want to develop, produce, record, broadcast, and stream live 400 kilometers above Earth.

What achievements has NASA's Parker Solar Probe accomplished as per the script?

NASA's Parker Solar Probe, launched five years prior, has become the first spacecraft to touch the Sun and has collected vital data about the Sun's corona and solar wind. The mission reflects decades of innovation and continues to enhance our understanding of the Sun's relationship with Earth. By the end of 2024, Parker is expected to reach a record distance of 6.16 million kilometers from the Sun's surface.

What is the goal of the cultured pork production by the Dutch startup mentioned in the script?

The Dutch startup Meatable aims to expand its cultured pork production in Singapore. The company's goal is to produce hybrid pork with one-third cultured meat and two-thirds plant-based protein. They are perfecting their products to gain regulatory approval from the Singapore Food Agency to sell them, with the aim of making the products available at prices comparable to high-end eco-friendly meat.