Those of us who are futurists are always on the lookout for the next big thing. What is the up-and-coming breakthrough technology that will significantly advance humankind? We’re talking industrial/digital revolution level. The popular joke is always to reference something big as being the greatest invention since sliced bread. Of course, there are many examples of remarkable inventions that have significantly altered the way we live, work, behave, or play, and many people value things that others might consider unimportant. These 5 Technologies Have the Potential to Become the Next Big Thing Artificial Intelligence (AI) There is no question that AI is already here. The question is: Where is it going? We know that ’s warehouses are operated largely by AI robots that carry shelves from one location to the next, uses AI in its vehicles, and Elon Musk recently introduced an AI robot. AI has many applications, whether on a small or large scale. It can be used for inventory management or for autonomous deliveries. AI runs our small, cute vacuum that zips along our floors and it controls traffic lights in cities around the world. As AI becomes a bigger presence in our lives, it could be that it is AI that will prove to be the greatest breakthrough technology affecting humankind. Amazon Tesla Quantum Computing We’ll not get into the ins and outs of quantum mechanics and how quantum computers are faster than classical computers. Instead, we’ll focus on the many potential applications of quantum computing in pharmaceutical research, finance, chemical production, and overall business cost reduction. What this all means is that quantum computing can significantly speed up research and reduce costs across numerous fields, thereby saving years of time and billions of dollars. Energy storage One of the greatest challenges today is energy storage. Our phones and wireless earphones only last a limited amount of time before they need to be recharged. So do electric cars. A real breakthrough could take place if we figure out how to store and use energy over a longer period of time. It would be great to use our phones and drive our electric cars for days without recharging. Naturally, stored energy could be used for lighting and heating our homes. This of course would significantly improve our lives as well as lower the cost of living for people around the world. Such an advancement in technology could truly change the world. The Metaverse …or whatever people want to call it, has the potential to become a digital meeting place for gamers, friends, family, business meetings, and pretty much anything else you can think of. The space will have the potential for virtual tourism, virtual real estate, and virtually anything you would be able to do in the real world. Introverts will love it. Extroverts will likely not love it as much. The Metaverse will never answer the human need to surround ourselves with other people in the real world but it can serve as a great substitute for those who live far from civilization, for those stranded at home due to a storm or sickness or any other reason. The Metaverse could be life-changing for many people. 3D printing While at first glance this may not seem like a groundbreaking technology, the truth is there are far-reaching benefits if this technology improves. The potential applications are enormous including everything from medicine to space exploration. The ability to print new bones for patients using 3D printing technology could prove to be a breakthrough in the medical field. Perhaps we will be able to print skin or tissue in a way that completely changes life expectancy for people who would normally have remained sick or died. 3D printing also has significant applications for space exploration if we can send 3D printers to space. An advancement like that could then allow us to build entire colonies using local materials - all before humans even arrive. Of course, smaller consumer-friendly 3D printers for the home could become a popular item if the technology improves to the point that we can print our own food or our own products. This would indeed change our world the way we know it. So these are some ideas of the technologies that could potentially change our world entirely. What are your thoughts?

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