Technological advancements

Rosemary Khathibe · Post by **Rosemary Khathibe** » 02 Aug 2018, 05:09

With the world moving so fast, I won't be surprised to see technologies in this book coming to life. I mean we already have talking robots, for instance.

Eryn Bradshaw · Post by **Eryn Bradshaw** » 02 Aug 2018, 05:52

tarafarah7 wrote: ↑01 Aug 2018, 17:50
Eryn Bradshaw wrote: ↑01 Aug 2018, 12:40 I disagree, I think this technology is right around the corner. Just take a look at Sophia the Robot, granted she is scripted and programmed, but the aim is to get to the point where AI to be more self-thinking. But I think it's important for these people who are developing AI to stay morally good. At this point though, it's a race to see who can come up with actual AI.
I couldn't agree with you more, Eryn! It's a constant debate in my mind on if developers are doing more good or more harm, when looking at the overall, big picture. I don't know! It's interesting, but the unknown is always a bit scary to me.

Let's just hope we don't get to crazy AI like Terminator!

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 02 Aug 2018, 06:19

From what we have actually seen, we cannot predict the speed of technical advancements. 40 years is relatively a very long time for technical world. Even the onboard computer can be a reality

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 02 Aug 2018, 07:29

When you consider how much technology has advanced in the past 40 years, some of the technological advancements mentioned seem possible in the not-so-distant future.

ArriettyClock · Post by **ArriettyClock** » 02 Aug 2018, 09:37

I believe that it's not necessarily the technological limitations, but also the Data Protection, moral beliefs and personal requirements that limit our potential for future technologies. If people don't believe we require the advancement, and that no-one would buy it, then it won't get developed.
Also people's fear about their job security and the loss of human interaction is what has prevented current AI technology being more wide-spread.
So I do think most of the technology is actually achievable in that time-span, but it depends on if society actually deems it necessary.

Britty01 · Post by **Britty01** » 02 Aug 2018, 09:45

Bianka Walter wrote: ↑02 Aug 2018, 01:35
melissy370 wrote: ↑01 Aug 2018, 18:56 I think not having sales clerks for department stores could be in our future. We already have restaurants that have machines that take your order. At our grocery stores we can check ourselves out. It doesn't seem far fetched that soon sales people will be obsolete also.
Absolutely. It's actually quite interesting that so much of the technology we see is actually aimed at replacing people. Life would suck if I lost my job and replaced by a computer.

That message was something I picked up on in the book. The way of life presented in the book seemed like a recipe for eventual disaster.

P Reefer · Post by **P Reefer** » 02 Aug 2018, 10:51

Eryn Bradshaw wrote: ↑01 Aug 2018, 12:40 I disagree, I think this technology is right around the corner. Just take a look at Sophia the Robot, granted she is scripted and programmed, but the aim is to get to the point where AI to be more self-thinking. But I think it's important for these people who are developing AI to stay morally good. At this point though, it's a race to see who can come up with actual AI.

I certainly agree, some of it is already here like self-automated cars. Last month BBC tech news featured small planes that were self-automated and soon to be available to persons not in possession of a pilot's license. One current example is Vahana being developed by Airbus.

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 02 Aug 2018, 13:22

The onboard computer technology, Franklin, and others are possible. Given the advancements in the robotic technology, some things in this book are possible.

Eryn Bradshaw · Post by **Eryn Bradshaw** » 02 Aug 2018, 15:12

Bookmermaid wrote: ↑02 Aug 2018, 10:51
Eryn Bradshaw wrote: ↑01 Aug 2018, 12:40 I disagree, I think this technology is right around the corner. Just take a look at Sophia the Robot, granted she is scripted and programmed, but the aim is to get to the point where AI to be more self-thinking. But I think it's important for these people who are developing AI to stay morally good. At this point though, it's a race to see who can come up with actual AI.
I certainly agree, some of it is already here like self-automated cars. Last month BBC tech news featured small planes that were self-automated and soon to be available to persons not in possession of a pilot's license. One current example is Vahana being developed by Airbus.

I forgot about the self-driving cars! That's a good point!

Bianka Walter · Post by **Bianka Walter** » 02 Aug 2018, 15:17

ArriettyClock wrote: ↑02 Aug 2018, 09:37 I believe that it's not necessarily the technological limitations, but also the Data Protection, moral beliefs and personal requirements that limit our potential for future technologies. If people don't believe we require the advancement, and that no-one would buy it, then it won't get developed.
Also people's fear about their job security and the loss of human interaction is what has prevented current AI technology being more wide-spread.
So I do think most of the technology is actually achievable in that time-span, but it depends on if society actually deems it necessary.

This is one of my big concerns. I understand the need to develop current technology, but so much of it is purely aimed at replacing people. Like you say, human interaction is becoming less and less with things as simple as tablets. I've seen children sitting on couches next to each other messaging one another on their cell phones. And that's not even starting on job replacement. I hope you're right - that it's based on society's needs.

Miercoles · Post by **Miercoles** » 02 Aug 2018, 17:50

We already live in a world of driverless cars and talking robots, so technology like Franklin is just around the corner. With the developments in AI, it is only a matter of time before Siri and Alexa will be having a full conversation with their owners.

Kristy Khem · Post by **Kristy Khem** » 02 Aug 2018, 20:06

The medical computer system is definitely possible, in my opinion. The lasers, blood collection, accurate monitoring, and diagnosis seem very possible. It is frightening to trust robots and artificial intelligence for these things, but 40 years from now I think it will be a normal part of life.

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 02 Aug 2018, 21:40

Like what many of us mentioned, 40 years is a terribly long time in terms of technological advancement. I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see tech like Franklin in 40 years. However, like what Bianka brought up, I do think that human interaction is also important and shouldn't be sacrificed (perhaps collateral damage?) for advancements in tech.

Bianka Walter · Post by **Bianka Walter** » 03 Aug 2018, 01:24

KristyKhem wrote: ↑02 Aug 2018, 20:06 The medical computer system is definitely possible, in my opinion. The lasers, blood collection, accurate monitoring, and diagnosis seem very possible. It is frightening to trust robots and artificial intelligence for these things, but 40 years from now I think it will be a normal part of life.

The medical computer system is actually one that I'm not too opposed to. In a world with a shortage of doctors, that's not the worst thing. Although to trust a machine over a human is not something that I think would come easily to most people.