The world to 2028: Singularity University makes 30 bets

The human always thinks about the future, whether saving or going to college. We live today thinking about tomorrow, in fact it is necessary to have a perspective on life. With that in mind, Singularity University thought of 30 bets which he believes will be achieved by 2028. The list was made in 2013 and already has predictions being achieved! Unfortunately, it will not all be a true evolution: CO2024 emissions are expected to peak worldwide in 2.

A startup incubator university

Founded in 2008, Singularity University is not exactly a university, it works as a think-tank. This term is used for an organization that focuses on being a startup incubator. Singularity University is located in NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley.

Bets for 2018

BET #1: In 2013, Singularity University believed that in 2018 there would be the announcement of the first demonstration of a quantum computing, impossible to be simulated even by traditional supercomputers.

June 2018 Intel announced the start of testing the Spin Qubit, the chip smaller than a pencil eraser, made for quantum computing.

BET #2: Singularity University also imagined the possibility of emotive artificial intelligences.

This is something that already exists, for example when you curse Siri and she scolds you. However, it's not really emotional, but this year we could see several demonstrations of devices, AIs and androids highlighting the ability to respond emotionally to humans.

2020

BET #3: The worldwide deployment of the 5G mobile network, offering speeds from 10 to 100 GB/s.

With tests taking place for a few years now, the 5G network is already confirmed to arrive in the US in 2019. 5G is also coming to Brazil: Anatel will open a tender in the second half of 2019 for mobile operators to start building the 5G network in country.

BET #4: Medical diagnoses and therapeutic recommendations based on artificial intelligence, being used in most health services in the United States.

IBM Watson: Does artificial intelligence ever replace a doctor?

IBM has been striving to improve Watson, the company's intelligent platform. The supercomputer helps in the functioning of IBM, startups, professionals and developers. The intention is to expand its social use, in the areas of health, education, weather forecasting, agriculture, banks, cultures and so on. Today it is already used for these purposes, including in Brazil through the Mãe de Deus Hospital, in Porto Alegre.

https://youtu.be/mXgZgVhHLfw

BET #5: Flying cars begin to transit in some cities of the world.

This bet seems a bit fanciful if we think that we are still in the battle to popularize electric cars, in addition to the problematization of autonomous cars. However, as explained, flying cars “in some cities around the world”. Showing again the incredible accuracy of the Singularity University study, Uber presented its subsidiary Elevate, focused on developing air taxis, with tests scheduled in Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles. Angeles and Dubai in 2020.

BET #6: The first quantum catalysts are built, marking the beginning of the end of traditional chemical processes.

2022

BET #7: 3D printers can manufacture clothing and modules to fit into houses or buildings.

Today, it is already looking far away, in the printing of organs by 3D printers. Therefore, the challenge of making clothes and modules for homes should soon be easily overcome.

BET #8: People can legally use self-driving cars throughout the United States.

Self-driving cars will be popular 50 years from now, says Intel

It's a hot topic these days. Several automakers have already announced that they are working on autonomous models, with thin steering systems. Ford and Tesla have already carried out tests in the US, something that will intensify until 2022, for sure.

BET #9: Toys for children are smart, with machine learning algorithm .

BET #10: Robots are common in middle-class homes, able to read lips, recognize faces, mouth and gestures.

BET #11: Robots understand the context of speech well enough to interact with humans like receptionists, shop assistants, and employees.

At the Google I/O 2018 event, Google Duplex was presented, which will be able to book appointments by call on behalf of the user, through the Assistant. Whether it's making an appointment with the doctor or booking a table at a restaurant. The service is already being made available gradually to owners of Pixel smartphones.

2024

BET #12: First human mission by private company reaches the surface of Mars.

This is SpaceX's main objective, and with Donald Trump's intention to increase investment in Elon Musk's company, it is possible that it will happen ahead of schedule in the Singularity University study.

BET #13: 10 million daily drone flights. Currently, there are already 100 daily flights.

BET #14: It is routine to deliver parcels by drones.

In 2016, Amazon made the first delivery by drone, in a flight that took just 13 minutes.

BET #15: First agreements for cheap delivery of solar and wind energy are signed, with the aim of selling 1 kW/h for 1 cent.

BET #16: In 90% of the world, building solar and wind plants will be cheaper than gas and coal plants.

BET #17: Electric cars accounted for half of new vehicle sales.

BET #18: China and India announce that they will shut down hundreds of coal plants already built.

In 2014, China declared “a war on pollution, just as we declared a war on poverty”, as Prime Minister Li Keqiang announced. In four years, some cities in China have reduced the concentration of harmful particles in the air by 32%. All coal mines in the country have been closed and it is forbidden to open thermoelectric plants that use fuel.

BET #19: Carbon emissions peak worldwide.

BET #20: Knowledge in artificial intelligence is considered a requirement in most professions.

2026

BET #21: Car ownership does not exist and self-driving cars dominate the roads.

BET #22: 100 people travel daily by VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicles) in Los Angeles, Tokyo, São Paulo and London.

BET #23: Vertical farming starts to be viable for food production in most metropolises.

BET #24: Through the evolution of nanotechnology, atomically accurate production is demonstrated on a macro scale.

BET #25: 8 billion people are connected to the internet with speeds above 500 Mbps. Tablets are distributed for free in the poorest regions of the world.

BET #26: VR becomes ubiquitous. Parents complain that their children are constantly in another universe. People start to travel less, as VR is able to offer many of the sensations of a place without having to move.

2028

BET #27: Building solar and wind energy centers is cheaper than operating on gas and coal in half the world.

BET #28: Solar and wind energy together account for almost 100% of energy production.

BET #29: World oil demand peaks and starts to fall.

BET #30: Robots have real relationships with people, through caring for the elderly, personal hygiene and food preparation. Sex robots become popular.

Do you agree with all Singularity University bets? Comment below which bets got you the most excited! 

Source: With lemon e Singularity University