The Future is Here: What the World Will Look Like in 2025
The future is unpredictable
As the year 2025 approaches, we can only imagine what the world will look like. We’ve all heard about how technology has changed our lives in the past decade, but how will it affect our future? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the trends that we can expect to see in the next 10 years and beyond. From self-driving cars to 3D printed houses, it seems that the only limit to innovation is imagination itself!
China will be a global leader
China’s economy will be substantially larger than that of its closest competitor. But, more importantly, it will also have a more equal distribution of wealth, making China a much less stressful and unpleasant place to live. In many ways, China is already becoming an economic powerhouse—many large corporations are moving their manufacturing from places like India to China because labor costs are lower and regulations are friendlier. As time goes on, though, Chinese citizens will see a large increase in both income and social mobility as well.
We will understand more about our brains
In 2013, we discovered that each human brain contains one quadrillion synapses (connections between neurons), which means our brain’s storage capacity far exceeds that of today’s biggest computers. It would take a computer more than a million years to simulate just one second of human brain activity. However, researchers are already working on ways to map and copy those synaptic connections with enormous potential for discovery and advancement.
Driverless cars will be everywhere
Picture a world with free time to do what you want, when you want. That’s likely our future. Driverless cars will allow people who choose not to drive—for economic, environmental, or other reasons—to get from place to place without worrying about whether they can find a taxi, bus, or train that fits their schedule. This will spur major changes in urban design as public spaces move away from streets and onto sidewalks and parks that accommodate walking, biking, and other modes of transportation besides driving.
3D printing will change manufacturing forever
While 3D printing technology has been around for a few decades, it’s only recently that innovations have made it cheaper, faster, and easier to use. Many companies are already printing their products or selling custom designs from just about anywhere. As prices continue to fall and hardware becomes more accessible, it will become commonplace for virtually anyone with an idea to design, print, and sell physical goods at home.
The largest change we can make today is recycling
In 2012, China banned 24 types of solid waste and prohibited other countries from shipping them to Chinese landfills. In 2015, China expanded that ban by enacting a policy of zero tolerance for 24 kinds of imported trash; they’re also planning to create an ocean sanctuary—officially known as an eco-bank—in international waters by 2020.
Everyone will have an online presence – even toddlers!
If you’re over 40 years old, it’s a safe bet that you remember a time when parents never uploaded pictures of their kids on Facebook. In just ten years, that paradigm has changed completely. According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, 75% of teens have created an online presence – and only 11% waited until they were 18 years old or older to do so.
Virtual reality technology will transform games, work, and life
By 2025, virtual reality (VR) technology will be a common way to experience and interact with your work and life. Advancements such as gaze tracking will enable VR users to connect using only their eyes. Google Earth for VR will allow you to not only explore but also create new locations from your computer and share them with others. Augmented reality (AR) will overlay images in real-world settings, making it easier than ever before to follow directions and interact with others remotely.
