An article in Futurism mentioned the recent World Government Summit in Dubai which discussed “vital future topics including artificial intelligence, space, youth and happiness, climate change” (WGS). In one of these WGS sessions, theoretical physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku described what life would look like in 20 years.
The diagram below shows my future view while using the 7 Belief systems and today’s drivers. This future view is dystopian rather than utopian, which is – to a large extent – due to the disruptive impact of technology on our societies. The book and movie Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) by George Orwell was probably a century too soon.
Our future can already be witnessed in China 2018. Please see my 2017 blog on “China: from Hukou to Social Credit” and Bloomberg’s recent article on China’s cashless society. China’s Social Credit System and its cashless society make anonymity virtually impossible. Big Brother is watching your every move (eg, Guardian-2017, Telegraph-2008, WaPo-2017).
The 1st Futurism article claims that “The Next Step in AI is Augmenting Humans”. Similarly, news reports stated that the Chinese police is using Augmented Reality (AR) glasses that enable facial recognition “to spot criminals in crowds” (eg, ABC, Geek, Telegraph, the Verge).
China was once “the world’s technology copycat” (FT). News reports now compare China and USA in respect of innovation (Bruegel, CNN, Fortune, FT, NYT, Quora, SD, USA Today). SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket is however viewed with envy in China (Diplomat, Quartz, SCMP).
Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross expressed his (deep) concerns in Davos on China’s 2025 high tech ambitions: ”That is a direct threat. And it is a direct threat that is being implemented by technology transfers, by disrespect for intellectual property rights, by commercial espionage, by all kinds of very bad things.” (Reuters)
China in Your Hand (1987) by T’Pau – artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Don’t push too far your dreams are china in your hand
Don’t wish too hard because they may come true
And you can’t help them
You don’t know what you might have set upon yourself
China in your hand
Note: all bold and italic markings by LO
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