Technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT are being combined innovatively to create disruptive products and solve problems in novel ways. While this technological advancement and prospects for the future may sound thrilling to some, to many others, it poses too many fears and uncertainties.
According to the forecast made by Futurist Thomas Frey – By 2030 (approximately 12 years from now), up to 2 Billion jobs may disappear, which is like 50% of all jobs in the world taken over by smart robots and machines. However, as these jobs disappear, new types of Jobs will also appear.
Today’s technology boom is already creating new kinds of job and business opportunities – the key for anyone to stay relevant will be in their ability to adapt.
Before we explore some of the ways we can adapt to the uncertainties of a ‘technified’ future, let us go back in time and take a cue from a man who was famous for accurately predicting many of the changes we find in today’s world.
In the 1970s, Alvin Toffler accurately predicted the Internet, social media and how integral society will be to these technologies. Here is one of his most famous statements, “The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”
According to Alvin Toffler, the most crucial skill for the new century will be the skill of continuous learning.
Make sure to distinguish this learning as one that will help you compete against machines or advanced processes (no matter how good you are with a typewriter, you cannot compete against a computer). Robots and machines will win over any task or role that can be automated.
The only way to stay ahead of robots and machines of the future will be by focusing on our uniqueness, which is our humanity. Our unique ability to act from intuition, empathize, love and be emotionally intelligent, and, more importantly, to enjoy the expression of life, family and friendship as a gift.
As the future rushes down at us with its deluge of uncertainties, these are some vital points I think every individual need to consider and factor into their preparation for the future.
Appreciate & Look for ways to apply new Technologies in Daily Life:
Be a part of the wave, and try out new gadgets relevant to your work or home life whenever possible.
You can start with simple-to-use gadgets like smart wearables and smart home assistants. Do not let generational or demographical gaps make you feel ostracized by tech trends.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to catch up with new technologies, but make this a fun and exciting activity. Over time, your family and friends may soon come to you for technology 21 advice & solutions. Be the technology champion in your family & communal circle.
Develop a Balanced & Productive Lifestyle for Yourself:
People no longer prioritize real-world physical communication and engagement. Video games are becoming more immersive.
Social media platforms with efficient and brutal AI algorithms and entertainment streaming services like Netflix are all designed to keep you locked in on their platform.
Advertisers are also ruthlessly chasing you via TV, emails & everywhere else technology allows you to access information. You can escape this cycle by prioritizing and actively planning for a balanced and productive life.
Refrain from giving all your time to technological platforms & gadgets; also learn how to use specialized tools and hacks like app over-usage lock screens, calendars, meeting planners and reminders to make your life more productive. Learn to become a master of technology and not its slave.
Make it a Priority to Progressively Enhance your Digital Skills:
Surviving in a digital world requires adeptness at specific kinds of skills and expertise.
These skills are broadly regarded as digital skills. They include your proficiency in retrieving digital information in various formats, processing it using digital tools and resources and storing or sending out your processed information via digital tools and channels.
One good example is, knowing how to synchronize the local storage of your phone and computer with cloud servers like Google Drive, DropBox etc. There are numerous Internet tools and apps that can boost your productivity once you make it a habit to start exploring.
Stay relevant in the future will require continuously upgrading these skills and know-how to utilize and maximize new digital channels as they emerge.
Stay up to Date with Latest Tech News & Releases:
As a matter of necessity, you should be subscribed to news channels, social accounts and newsletters that cover the latest updates or do periodical articles on science and tech.
For example, if there is a viral outbreak such as ransomware (where your computer is hacked, and you are told to pay a certain amount before you can access your files), you will know in time and prepare yourself against it. Some good examples of media platforms to follow for tech updates are TechCrunch, TheNextWeb, Wired, Gizmodo, Cnet, Mashable, TheVerge, TechInsider etc.
You can also follow newsletter updates and social media feeds of leading futurist and technology thought leaders such as Peter Diamandis, Ray Kurzweil, Michio Kaku, Tan Le etc. If you must stay relevant in the future, you have no option but to be at the forefront of the latest technology news and updates.
Attend/Follow-up on Seminars, Tech Events & Exhibitions:
Seminars and exhibitions will allow you to stay on the latest trends and also allow you to meet with other enthusiasts.
You can search for free events around your city and make it a point to attend and network with people of like mind.
Attending tech conferences, seminars and events will also open you up to ideas and business opportunities you can explore within and outside the technology space.
Attending tech conferences, seminars and events will also open you up to ideas and business opportunities you can explore within and outside the technology space.
Over time, this will also help position you as an expert or go-to technology person.
Prepare for Business & Workplace Change:
The effects of technological advancement will be significantly felt in the business and workplace environment.
Some important questions to start asking now are: How will advancing technologies disrupt my industry? Can a machine do my job in the nearest future? If so, how do I make myself more valuable?
It would help if you focused on your human strengths to make yourself future-proof for workplace change. These areas are where technology will find it challenging to encroach and disrupt.
It would help if you kept learning and seeking ways to develop your innate skills. Stay confident with where you are today; make your learning and career improvement a continuous cycle of progress.
Create a Plan, but be Flexible about it:
There is a better time to be dead-set on a career or other personal plans. With the debut of one new technology, entire industries and sectors can be shaken to their very core.
Skills of today can become irrelevant tomorrow, while in some cases, new high-paying jobs may suddenly gain prominence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) developers or blockchain architect designers are good examples. In just a few years, these have become jobs that are well-paid and are in high demand.
So it is crucial that as you make plans for your future or those of your kids, you leave sufficient allowance for flexibility and make room for the unknown regarding career options.
Consider the Possibility of the Singularity:
According to projections, the SingularitySingularity will occur in about 25 years. While many believe nothing of such nature will happen, it would only cost you a little to prepare for its eventuality.
According to many futurists, the SingularitySingularity is a time when machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence and continues growing exponentially.
Being aware of its possibility is a good start.
Stay on top of Updates:
If everyone is moving towards quantum computers, try not to be the last to join in.
If recent updates are available for the software you use, try to update to relatively recent versions. Most cyber-attacks and hacks are successful when the victims are exposed to outdated software and devices.
The computing devices you regularly use, such as phones, laptops, smart home speakers or other IoT devices, must be periodically updated. With technology, the moment you start leaving loose ends is the moment you begin to fall off the track.
So make it a habit of always knowing what new features and options are available for the technology tools and gadgets you use regularly.
Have a Doomsday Drill:
While this is a pessimistic point of view, it is nonetheless important.
Indeed but gradually, our lives have become increasingly dependent on technologies and the infrastructure they run on.
If, for example, the Internet were to go down (yes, that is a possibility), or a service sector like banks or financial institutions crash for any number of reasons, or when we become dependent on robots. What will our response be if they decide to berserk on us (they have done so countless times in movies)?
Your doomsday drill does not need to be sensational or demand that you create a secret bunker. It should be designed to provide you with alternatives peradventure there is a failure in any technologies you have grown to depend on.
Conclusion:
The 21st century has brought with it fast-paced advancements in technology. This progress will continue to climb up the exponential slope of the mountain of civilization.
Currently, the global rate at which the Internet, smartphone and other computing devices are moving tells that the world, like the butterfly’s egg, is metamorphosing. First, it went through the un-fanciful stage of being a larva.
With technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, AR & VR gaining steam, the divide between our natural and digital worlds will become more blurred.
With nanotechnology and our ability through CRISPR to edit the source code of what makes us human, we can change the fundamentals and rewrite what we intend for the future of the human race.
Preparing for the realities of such a future 25 cannot be conceptualized even by the greatest of the futurist.
The world has entered a time in history where its destiny will be written in zeros, ones and qubits. Everyone is entitled to this future; we only need to learn the best ways to surf the tides of this oncoming wave.
