Futurist Tracey Follows thought the 1995 programme got a lot of big ideas right, but missed two of the biggest themes of the last 30 years – the spread of big tech and social media.
By 2055, she thinks many people will be “cognitively connected” – a hive mind of humans and technology via servers, which will help in the sharing of ideas.
“Brainstorming will literally be brainstorming, where you can share ideas by thinking them.”
Tom Cheesewright thinks two of the most exciting prospects for the next 30 years will be materials science and bioengineering.
In materials, the creation of devices that are even stronger, lighter and thinner could change the world, while bioengineering – married with tight regulation – has the power to transform medicine and tackle “some of the biggest challenges humanity faces – decarbonisation, clean water, food”.
So what do you think the world will look like in 30 years?
Whatever your answers, it would be wise to listen to what Prof Hawking said to Tomorrow’s World three decades ago.
“Some of these changes are very exciting, and some are alarming. The one thing that we can be sure of is that it will be very different, and probably not what we expect.”
