IBM's Technological Predictions for the Next Five Years

It's obvious that IBM no longer has an interest in creating consumer products, but when it comes to studying experimental technologies and anticipating what the future holds, it's one of the most respected names. Its predictions are already quite common, and the company always chooses this time of year to make them. The two magic words in IBM's new predictions are "artificial intelligence", and it will help us do everything: from early disease detection to a vision worthy of any superhero.

The second decade of the 21st century is coming to an end, and the challenges facing the human species are greater than ever. Climate hostility, diseases, overpopulation, pollution, increased demand for basic resources… the list goes on. But despite what some detractors think, technology is on our side. It makes us more efficient and more productive. It allows us to fight conditions that decades ago were relentless. Communication and the exchange of ideas happen almost instantly. And without a doubt, the best is yet to come. IBM seeks to occupy a privileged place in that future. The blue giant is convinced that the key will be artificial intelligence, and with it at the forefront, it made its predictions for the next five years. Let's see:

Words, a Window to Mental Health

What we say is important, but how we say it is even more relevant. The tone, speed, quantity, and quality of words can convey a lot about a person's mental health, and IBM anticipates that with advanced cognitive analysis, it will be possible to detect patterns in voice and writing associated with conditions like schizophrenia, psychosis, mania, and depression (bipolarity). IBM says that today it only needs 300 words to predict the probability of psychosis. In five years? Alzheimer's, Huntington's, post-traumatic stress, autism, and ADHD.

Superhero Vision

Our eyes only give us access to a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, although different devices have been developed to see beyond (X-ray machines are a good example). But IBM believes that in the next half-decade, "hyperimaging technology" will reach our mobile devices, enabling infrared and microwave vision. It will also be possible to detect hidden objects through fog, and even recognize whether food is safe to eat.

Macroscopes for a Better Understanding of Our Planet

Microscopes help us understand the world of the small, and telescopes do the same for what is very far away, but what about other things on a large scale, say, the Earth? Satellite images are useful to a certain point, however, IBM says that with new algorithms and deep learning, it will be possible to coordinate data from billions of connected devices. The Internet of Things, transmitting information about water and soil quality, optimized agriculture, the sociopolitical situation of an entire region, and more. Now, what we need first is a secure and functional Internet of Things...

Laboratories on a Chip

When we go to the doctor for a diagnosis, we are asked for X-rays, blood and urine tests, probe studies, and a long etcetera. The problem is that our body already tells us what's wrong, and we don't know how to listen. IBM is working on a system that can isolate bioparticles as small as 20 nanometers in diameter, and with an analysis, it can detect diseases before they manifest. The prediction speaks of complete laboratories on a single chip, which will combine their data with sensors and smart devices to create a general map of our health, and correct problems with enough anticipation.

Sensors to Detect Invisible Pollution

A factory chimney, an exhaust pipe, a spill... those are very obvious examples of pollution, but we recognize them immediately because they are visible. Imagine all the leaks of methane gas, fuels, and other substances that ruin the environment and we cannot detect. In the next five years, a giant network of low-cost smart sensors on the ground and on board drones will help companies and government agencies react before it's too late.

And I think that's the point. IBM's new predictions aren't about responding to problems and disasters after they happen, but rather about prevention and anticipation. Artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and real-time data transfer will be the main weapons. We'll have to wait half a decade to know if it's true...