The Pew Internet project has released another study. This time they surveyed "internet leaders, activists, and analysts" for their predictions for what we'll see by 2020. Here are some of their conclusions:
- A low-cost global network will be thriving and creating new opportunities in a “flattening” world.
- Humans will remain in charge of technology, even as more activity is automated and “smart agents” proliferate. However, a significant 42% of survey respondents were pessimistic about humans’ ability to control the technology in the future. This significant majority agreed that dangers and dependencies will grow beyond our ability to stay in charge of technology. This was one of the major surprises in the survey.
- Virtual reality will be compelling enough to enhance worker productivity and also spawn new addiction problems.
- Tech “refuseniks” will emerge as a cultural group characterized by their choice to live off the network. Some will do this as a benign way to limit information overload, while others will commit acts of violence and terror against technology-inspired change.
Egads! That last one seems a tad extreme and unlikely.
Link: Pew Internet: Future of the Internet.
See also the SF Chronicle's report: Tech's experts predict future / We may become pets of robots, Pew survey says.
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