Experts Predict the Future of Technology, AI & Humanity | Tech Support | WIRED

Summary

In this fascinating discussion, a variety of topics ranging from cosmology and AI to biotechnology and human evolution are explored. The conversation dives into the mysteries of space expansion, the potential of AI in transforming legal professions, and its applications in medicine, climate change, and elder care. It also touches on the future of cities, human brain development, and the improbable notion of humans leaving the solar system. With expert insights and speculative ideas, the video challenges our understanding of science and technology, offering a glimpse into the future of humanity and innovation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Space is expanding, but it's not expanding into anything—it’s just spreading apart due to gravity's influence on matter.
• 😀 AI is unlikely to replace lawyers anytime soon, but it will simplify tedious tasks, enabling lawyers to focus on strategy and client representation.
• 😀 Light can bend around corners, thanks to the refractive properties of materials like glass and the bending effects of gravity.
• 😀 Traveling faster than the speed of light is impossible because it would require infinite energy due to relativity.
• 😀 Spider silk, which is stronger than steel and biocompatible, could revolutionize medical treatments, such as wound healing and brain surgeries.
• 😀 Future cities will integrate green spaces for both environmental and human well-being, with taller buildings and vertical living becoming more common.
• 😀 Brain-computer interfaces are already enhancing neuroplasticity, and while full superhuman intelligence is decades away, significant advances are likely in the next few years.
• 😀 Robots are expected to take over dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs, but human workers will remain crucial for more complex tasks requiring creativity and decision-making.
• 😀 AI will not replace computer programming jobs, but it will make programmers more productive by automating repetitive tasks and helping with coding.
• 😀 AI holds great promise for revolutionizing fields like medicine, climate change, elder care, and education by solving complex problems and improving efficiency.
• 😀 While it’s unlikely that humans will leave the solar system, future human evolution could lead to a new species that might venture beyond, aided by advanced space technologies.

Q & A

What is meant by space expanding, and what is it expanding into?

Space is expanding in the sense that galaxies are moving away from each other. However, there is no 'outside' into which space is expanding. The universe itself doesn't have an edge or boundary. It's simply that the fabric of space itself is stretching, causing the distances between objects in the universe to increase.

Will AI replace lawyers in the future?

AI is unlikely to replace lawyers entirely. While AI can handle repetitive tasks and help make the legal process more efficient, the strategic and human aspects of law—such as advising clients and navigating complex situations—require years of expertise and judgment that AI is not currently positioned to replace.

Can light bend around corners, and how does this happen?

Yes, light can bend around corners, a phenomenon known as diffraction. This occurs when light passes through materials like glass, causing it to slow down and change direction. Additionally, gravity can bend light, as demonstrated by Einstein's theory of general relativity, which predicts the bending of light around massive objects like galaxies.

Could we make an object invisible by bending light around it?

Yes, theoretically, if we could control the atomic structure of materials like glass, light could bend completely around an object, making it invisible. Advances in nanotechnology may one day allow the creation of 'metamaterials' that bend light in this way.

Is it possible to travel faster than the speed of light?

No, it's impossible to travel faster than the speed of light. As an object approaches light speed, it requires more energy to continue accelerating. At the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be needed, making faster-than-light travel impossible according to current understanding of physics.

Could we ever create a real-life Spider-Man using gene splicing and biotech?

While we may not see a real-life Spider-Man anytime soon, there is significant interest in spider silk, which is incredibly strong and biocompatible. Researchers are exploring ways to produce spider silk outside of spiders, using bacteria or plants, which could lead to applications in medicine, especially in wound healing.

How will future cities be designed to be more sustainable?

Future cities will need to integrate more green spaces to improve oxygen levels and overall well-being. Vertical structures will become more common as space for horizontal expansion becomes limited. The key will be combining urban density with sustainability, ensuring cities remain livable while accommodating growing populations.

When will we have brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for everyday use?

We are fairly close to having BCIs that enhance neuroplasticity and help the brain adapt to external stimuli. However, for more advanced BCIs, such as those allowing you to Google something directly from your brain, we are still decades away from seeing practical, everyday use.

What is the role of robots in the future of work?

Robots will likely take over dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs that are undesirable for humans. While they may not fully replace human workers, robots will help increase productivity and free people up to focus on more meaningful, creative, and complex tasks.

Will AI replace computer programming jobs in the next five to ten years?

AI will not replace computer programming jobs in the near future. Instead, it will enhance productivity by automating repetitive tasks and allowing programmers to focus on more complex and creative problem-solving. AI tools will likely make programming more efficient, but human oversight and creativity will still be essential.

What is the best-case scenario for AI's impact on society?

The best-case scenario for AI includes revolutionizing fields like medicine, where it could accelerate the discovery of treatments for complex diseases like Alzheimer's. AI could also help address climate change by improving material science and even assist in elderly care by creating robots that can provide trustworthy support. Additionally, AI-powered personalized tutoring could enhance education.

How will human evolution be affected by modern food availability?

With food being more plentiful than ever before, human evolution may shift in ways that were influenced by calorie intake in the past. The brain, being metabolically expensive, required humans to develop new strategies for acquiring more calories. In the future, changes to the human brain might occur as a result of easier access to nutrition, which will likely impact cognitive abilities and behaviors.

Will humanity ever leave the solar system?

It is unlikely that humanity will leave the solar system in the foreseeable future. However, a future species, potentially an evolved version of humanity, could potentially venture beyond. While humans may send spacecraft to other star systems, any long-term migration to other stars is beyond current technological capabilities.