The Next Big Thing(s) in Tech

The Very Exciting Stuff
IoT / Edge Computing / Intelligent Edge
While the vast majority of data processing for connected devices now happens in the cloud, sending data back and forth across a central server can take seconds (!) too long. As such, allowing objects to process data on their own (at the"edge" of the eco-system) could make objects such as autonomous vehicles possible, and would also be invaluable in healthcare and manufacturing, among others. As is the case for other developments both above and below, we must however let the hardware catch up before implementing these ideas (see “deep neural network ASICs”).
As intelligent things proliferate, expect a shift from stand-alone intelligent objects to a swarm of collaborative intelligent things. In this model, multiple devices will work together, either independently or with human input. The leading edge of this area is being used by the military, which is studying the use of drone swarms (RELEASE THE SWARM) to attack or defend military targets, but could likely go much further with hundreds of potential civilian uses.

Micro/bio-chips
The current main idea behind micro-chips is for tracking bio-metrics at work, as part of the smart workspace technology ecosystem. Though it's nothing too exciting yet, this technology currently helps with identifying employees and paying for lunch and coffee.
Unless everyone suddenly agrees to let their blood pressure be monitored daily at work, this tracking is likely to remain benign in the near future. Beyond work, these chips (which are made from an array of molecular sensors on the chip surface that can analyze biological elements and chemicals) will be able to detect diseases early. Which leads us to...

Nanorobotics
For those wanting to go even smaller: nanorobots, which are currently in the R&D phase, are essentially very very tiny sensors. The first useful applications of these nanomachines may vey well be in nanomedicine. For example, biological machines could be used to identify and destroy cancer cells or deliver drugs. Another potential application is the detection of toxic chemicals, and the measurement of their concentrations, in the environment. But we're getting ahead of ourselves: Smart Dust will be discussed next week.

Genetic predictions
No, I'm not talking about Gattaca (yet). But we're getting pretty close to it: scientists can already use your genome to predict your chances of getting heart disease or breast cancer, and even your IQ (mine is anywhere between 75 and 135 according to random, non-scientific BuzzFeed Quizzes). As such, DNA-based "predictions" could be the next great public health advance, regardless of the risks of genetic discrimination. For example, if women at high risk for breast cancer got more mammograms and those at low risk got fewer, those exams might catch more real cancers and set off fewer false alarms. It could also lead to the rise of personalizsed medicine, though the logistics of such a task would likely be a financial and logistical disaster.

CRISPR
Even if a Gattaca-like future does come about, changing some genes to make an individual healthy could be the key to ruining a perfectly good apocalyptic future. CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement. Editing germs to make new viruses is however less fun. Either way, I look forward to a time when every an looks like a mix of Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba. Good times.

Good morning!