Session 9: Emerging and Future Technologies

Brief overview/ Summary:

Session 9 was on emerging and future technologies. How will technology be like in the near future? What possibilities and potential does technology have in the long run then?

“You see things; and you say, 'Why?'

But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'” - George Bernard Shaw

This quote talks about the possibilities we can have if we only allow ourselves to imagine and think out of the box. 

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” -Albert Einstein

Together with this quote by Albert Einstein, concentrating on being knowledgable albeit being a good thing may also be a hindrance as it focuses on what more do I not know instead of what more can I do despite of what I know? How much boundaries can I push through? How far am I willing to step out of my comfort zone to see the impossible become possible.

• We also talked about how do we draw a line between what is considered human and robot. I thought this was an interesting topic discussed as the lines between differentiating the two becomes fuzzy. 
• We also touched on augmented reality which is the combination of information with reality and discussed certain issues pertaining to augmented reality 
• The various types of emerging and new technologies are actually what innovation can further tap into. 
• A few weeks ago, prof mentioned about the difference between leaders and followers. He brought up a quote by Steve Jobs that summed up the main difference between the two while linking what we have been talking about TWC for the bulk of the last 8 sessions: “Innovation distinguishes the leader from the follower.”
• We also had 5 presentations on this topic namely on bioneedles, solar power, smart highways and driverless cars, nanorobots as well as artificial intelligence  

Interesting observations/ Key takeaways:

• Prof mentioned certain issues that people might have regarding augmented reality and that is how much right does an individual have in saying he does not want his info to be made available online. It is true that augmented reality comes with convenience but at the same time it is a double edged sword that could infringe privacy. I feel that in today's day and age it is inevitable that privacy may be compromised and the only way to protect ourselves is to exercise discernment when revealing information. If we completely reject the idea of augmented reality, we will end up becoming like the dodo bird that prof constantly brings up in class - extinct. I think a good rule of thumb to follow would be something prof said as well "if its something that you do not want your grandmother to see, don't post it up" :)
• I felt that 2 of of this session's presentations particularly interest me. The first would be on bioneedles and how they are biodegradable mini implants. This definitely solves the problem of being able to provide more vaccinations and hence improve health care significantly in 3rd world countries. Pei Shan however mentioned that this still is not implemented and that we are still relying on traditional needles that was invented a long time ago. Why is this so? An intriguing question to ponder. 
• Next on Artificial Intelligence (AI) defined as the study and design of intelligence agents. Juin Ying talked about the present development of AI and how AI will change in future focussing mainly on social settings. Similar to augemented reality, AI is yet another doubled edged sword that we have to properly make use of otherwise come devastating consequences. With AI, aspects of society such as health and education may improve as discussed in class which would definitely be useful and beneficial for the human race. However, what was pointed out that was slightly frightening is what if come one day AI decides that they are more superior than humans and they "do not need us anymore"Even today, there have been some concerns over AI such as ethical issues and how AI has affected relationships/friendships and employment. This can be seen from the various innovations such as the "perfect girlfriend" invented by the Japanese, where coincidentally marriage rates are low and the Japanese are certified to not want to be involved in any form of human relationships. This has detrimental effects not only on society but Japan's economy as well. 
• Back to the question on what exactly draws the line between human and robot. My take on this is that as much as robots are able to perform what humans are able to and maybe even better than us, what makes us unique and superior is the fact that human beings have emotions. Some may argue that this is to our disadvantage as due to human beings having emotions such as feeling tired heartbroken and upset therefore lowering productivity. However, I feel that because of these emotions we have, we are able to empathise with one another and hence continue learning. Robots on the other hand are feeling-less and are unable to have values of love and empathy for others. They also lack feelings of curiosity which hence makes them unable to invent new technologies for themselves and would still have to rely on the human race, thus making us more superior. 

Personal rating for this session:
7/10