There are 5 Macro Trends that will shape the Future. These are:
- The Age of Automation
- The Demise of Driving
- A Re-Think of Retail
- A Printable World
- The Triumph of the Tiny
Which of these Trends do you anticipate will have the biggest impact and state why?
The Age of Automation and-Think of Retail can shape the near future, considering many countries where the majority of people are quite deprived of the advantages of the digital world.
The age of automation will be big in the future. Not only will it be big in all work places, and a lot of employment lost but also in every individuals every day life.
If I think of these trends in the context of my NESB students at TAFE, I believe the age of automation has had the most direct impact on their lives as we see automation taking over industries they were once able to be employed in. While technological advances are making incredible changes to our lives, for those who are not technologically literate, their employment opportunities seem to diminish.
All the trends discussed will be fascinating to see unfold over the next 10 – 20 years. I believe the age of automation will certainly impact us the most as a society as some occupations will no longer exist and new ones will present themselves. Developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills will become more important in a tech-driven world.
Interesting times, however, most of us have gone through many shifts, changes and adaptation throughout our working careers I think all these trends will impact us both positively and negatively depending on how we choose to allow them It’s a matter of working with the Trends, and being prepared for the change that they will offer is key As a VET teacher in Electrical Trades, I see these changes from more the design and servicing of these technologies is where our students need to develop and hone their skills. It is certainly opening up many opportunities for my industry (so… Read more »
All will be very interesting and will all have a huge impact to the way we live. In terms of impacts on how we deliver to students, the Age of Automation, will change learning the most. Teachers will need to develop new ideas to make students independent because of technologies.
Yes David, I agree, but the process of educating students to be independent has always been key regardless of technologies – but very interesting how our students will be motivated and to think will be interesting compared to how we were taught and the students we have taught throughout our careers – however exciting times all the same
All 5 macro trends are shaping the future but the one that is having the most impact is the Age of Automation. With the rise of robots, influence of Artificial Intelligence (including digital and facial recognition technology) jobs are evolving and new occupations are emerging as new technologies are coming into play that are altering the nature of work.. It would be hard to live without these new technologies now that have entered our world (eg. Google Maps).
Suzanne, I certainly agree and see the impacts technologies have made and continue to make on our standard of living. Could we live without many of the life changers of technology have made – some yes and some no – it’s the convenience we are enjoying – it’s educating ourselves to educate for the future is our role – something I am still grappling with
I think the age of Automation may have the greatest impact. If we can already get two computers to talk to each other and for them, to develop their own code – well that is scary. I can see that many of the futuristic films becoming true, i.e. where artificial intelligence and our own life can not be distinguished apart or for that matter we could end up being their servants instead of the other way around.
I agree Jenny, that the Age of Automation is the most significant of all the trends. Critical thinking will be important skills for all! We all need to reflect, problem solve and see things from different perspectives. Life is evolving in so many ways and we all need to keep up!!!!! Adapt, and keeping moving forward!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!!!!
I agree with you Jenny – the greatest impact would be automation .. very scary when they are talking to each other, however, I currently work in retail and the idea of a printable world will truly change the way we sell our product, how we promote it and the challenges around the ownership of our products. Interesting times indeed.
As time passes tech keeps changing and evolving, I’d like to think the triumph of the tiny will make medical intervention and changes/ cures, but whether the big pharmaceutical companies allow this is another matter.
I would like to think that as well, as it would be for the benefit for man kind ( which would be a nice change instead of some mufti-national corporation)
Hi Kate
I agree . I hope that human nature and the inherent need to do good prevails.
The demise of driving I can see will have a big change if its cost efficient.
One of the biggest expenses I have is owning a car, if self driving uber style car trips come into effect. the cost of use could be 10% of owning a car. Car ownership will completely change. Then we will have the problem of what to do with all those empty car spaces and empty car parks.
This trend interests me most in terms of when and how it will become a reality. I’m sure the government will find plenty of uses for empty carparks!
I do like the idea of drive less cars. Hopefully this option would be better the environment as well with less cars on the roads. I am sure car park land will be used for housing, business etc
These are all very interesting and will all have a huge impact to the way we live. In terms of impacts on how we prepare our students, I think the Age of Automation, which encompasses the other areas is at the top. How do we teach students to be problem solvers and try new challenges if everything is already being done for them? I am looking forward seeing solutions in this area and I really feel sorry for the future students who won’t have the same, useful opportunities to develop their own critical thinking skills because of these technologies.
Yes, I agree that the Age of Automation is the most significant of all the trends. Critical thinking will be important skills for all! This will be an important part of new courses moving forward!
Fiona
I agree we will need to develop new ways to think critically and in a way go back to basics to ensure these soft skills are not lost to automation.
I can’t decide which of these individually would have the biggest impact. I think what’s interesting and very frightening is that they are all happening at the same time and these trends will come together in ways that we can’t yet predict – magnifying the impacts
I agree – it all seems to be happening at all fronts at he same time, and one can only hope that the relentless march towards automation does not resolve in full employment for AI and increasingly less for humanity. If people do not work, how will they be able to pay for all this.
Yes the changes will all come into play very quickly at around the same time. This will make it very difficult for some people to get a grasp on
Lots of interesting ideas and amazing that it is not at all far away! I feel that the Age of Automation may have the largest impact on society in the future. I think it will have far-reaching effects on businesses, industries but most importantly, people. People have a fundamental need to be able to interact with each other. It will be interesting to see how this trend impacts in the long term and the complete shift in relating to others. Not to mention how available this technology will be to people who may not have the financial means to access… Read more »
I really enjoyed this. ITs all very interesting and slightly terrifying.
All 5 of these trends are really not that far away in the scheme of things and all have the potential to create huge change.
The demise of driving is one I feel probably the closest to home, as he said, will my children ever learn to drive? or will that be a thing of the past for them by the time they reach that age.
This module absolutely got my brain ticking.
Thank you.
Absolutely agree, scary thoughts of driverless cars but it will be safer than drivers in sydney now
I think The Demise of Driving will have the biggest impact. We can already see it coming. All those industries that use the different types of transports will be hugely impacted. Before watching this video I used to think of safety on the roads because of self driven cars now I am concerned about all the other industries relying on transportation to find new reasons for hiring humans
I think the re-think of Retail will be a game changer because it is happening so quickly now. Due to the Covid restrictions world wide ,Retail has had to change dramatically. Retail was already on the change due to the impact of online shopping. This has become the norm . Most people are experiencing online shopping . Add to this Covid and retail is really being forced to change. People are open to change. Lining up at checkouts is very demanding on a time poor society. This will affect the everyday person and their lifestlye more so than anything else.
The disappointment in this area is that to date, so many of our students use retail for the first jobs out of school where they are able to develop so many skills that should be useful for their futures: communication, navigating the world of work, problem solving and so on. Let’s hope that there is still ways for them to learn these skills, and have them be useful for the future.
It seems that all 5 macro trends have there place to effect the future world of tomorrow however Artificial Intelligence and the rise of it through to Super AI will I believe will have the most impact not only on the students of today but on the world of tomorrow. AI is already so embedded in all of our proceeses and the move to make it more apart of our everyday living world means that we will all have to adapt quite quickly to this changing technology. The thought of robotic technology taking over more and more areas of our… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more there Mel. I find all the AI stuff a little scary, it has such a terrifying capacity to take over completely.
I find it scary as well, so many movies from the passed have an element of reality, Terminator, Fantastic Voyage, Running Man, Total Recall etc. I’m excited to be part of the generation to see it happen, but apprehensive as well.
Yes I agree too. It’s like we’re inadvertently letting AI into our lives and one day we might just wake up and we’ll be at level 3 and the AI will take over. it might be too late!!
AI seems to be the dominant ingredient underlying everything – I agree with everyone who has posted. It seems that the world we knew, even in the early 2000’s has changed in leaps and bounds and who knows ”where to next?” The next 10 years will probably change the world exponentially in ways we can’t imagine. Thinking of the future for our students is daunting – how do we prepare them? Perhaps by being open minded, resilient and highly creative.
Very likely the printable world will have the biggest impact as it withdraws a whole lot of intermediatories like manufactures and removes many layers of jobs already present. I think it does however require a high level of service to be able to manage printables which will be the new serive industry.
I cant help but think about all of the job losses etc that come along with this as well. So many people well end up out of work as they get replaced by machines.
the 3D printing is one I can’t quite conceptualise yet. What about all the possible raw material or construction products required to make things and things with different componentry and moveable parts. I can understand a 3D model, but not more complex items and not from one possible household printer like a microwave
I agree Dianne. When we are being trained to make people employable, it is hard to keep up with all these changes and hard to know how to recommend people to get back into the workforce
There are many remarkable advancements over the last few years that are going to shape and transform our lives in the future if they haven’t already started to do so. Predicting which will have the biggest impact is difficult as many of these trends are interconnected. While I can see that AI, driverless cars, nano technology and 3D printing are set to change the world in big ways, I think that in the near future the ‘Retail Rethink’ will have the biggest impact as shopping is something we all do. Technologies that enable consumers to shop without manual check out… Read more »
Suzanne I agree that Retail Re think would make our life more convenient; however, I am weary of the thought how it will drastically reduce the need for staff ( humans) in store as well as the opportunity for community interaction
I think the printable world will have a huge impact, not only on retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, but also on regulatory bodies. There will need to be a whole re-think of how 3D printing will be regulated.
Regulation is important especially with printable food, but servicing the new printables is also a whole new skill zone.
Totally agree – regulating this industry may be difficult – especially if we all have 3-D printers at home!
Although I think that “A printable world” is a force to be reckoned with, the age of automation is embedded in our daily lives. My interest is mainly in vocational education and this has a huge impact on the professional careers of our students.
Els, I think you’re right. Automation will greatly affect how very many jobs are done, especially those that are now wholly manual.
This is so valid. The careers that haven’t been invented yet can’t be taught!
I think the ‘Age of Automation’ will have the biggest impact: the nature of work, the types of jobs (including loss of full industries and occupations as well as the creation of new ones), the way we communicate and, fundamentally, make sense of the world. around us.
I agree with your comment Michelle.
I agree with your comment that AI will have a big impact.
My concern is about the data that powers Artificial intelligence. As more and more data is collected, both with and without our permission, our privacy becomes increasingly compromised. Those who control and own the most powerful digital systems in the future will increasingly have a control over the rest of us.
There is always the concern about privacy and power shifting with new technology advances. There has to be checks and balances put in place for all industries and accountability. I agree that privacy and permission to access information is always an ongoing issue for all consumers. Just how regulation will be done to preserve this I’m not sure.
110% Michelle. It is a very scary but very exciting time to be living in. Communication is the key.
I agree – communication with each other and the whole idea of relationships will be forever changed. We are already seeing this!
The Age of Automation
I think that each of these macro trends will impact our society. Automation is probably the most powerful and is having an effect now in our daily lives. Automation has enabled the creation and growth of other macro trends.
Yes I agree, a very good point, automation has enabled the growth of the other trends.
So much of this already happening and so fast, a really interesting topic
Although all trends will bring big changes to our lives, I think that the trend for 3D printing is the one that will bring the biggest impact. The ability to print off many things ourselves would certainly be more convenient but it would adversely affect manufacturing and transport industries and reduce the need to train and employ people in those fields. The speed of change would largely depend on the cost of 3D printers, I would think. It may be sometime before they are accessible to the average person.
Yes it is amazing how 3D printing is changing our world. You make a valid point about adversely impacting manufacturing and yet having technology incredibly accessible to so many people.
Yes Denise I agree with your comment. The amount of damage this would do to so many industries and ireparable damage is insurmountable. However we must also see the amount of good it is doing especially for our medical world. There is so much potential to do good with this technology.
I think the rethink of retailing will have the biggest impact because the way business work in retail will change dramatically and fit well with the new way of life which we are experiencing since end of 2019 as the new normal allowing limited contact, sizeable savings, flexibility to drive higher sales.
Although I partially agree with your comment Tersem, I think that the increase of the online consumer (since Covid) is here to stay.
I can see that from these 5 discussion points that some of them are more advanced than others. ‘A printable world’ is not new, however the application in new and different areas will push it further. Of more concern should be the raw materials currently being used – plastics.
Interesting point Millicent.
I think it will ‘A Re-think of Retail,’ as Amazon will gain unprecedented mass surveillance globally, in addition to reshaping retail to grow their business even more exponentially.
I agree that the ‘Retail Rethink’ will have a big impact on businesses like Amazon, allowing them to dominate the market. The flow-on effect will be the demise of smaller businesses physical stores and shopping centres and result in a narrowing of choices rather than expanding them.
It’s true the Amazon is on it’s way to unprecedented dominance over an increasing range of products and services
I think it is going to be the age of automation. As I see it automation is the bases for all of the other 4 areas as it underpins them all. Scary thoughts as to where it will lead us
I think AI will have the biggest impact.
You just have to use Facebook to see how they send ads targeted specifically to us based on our search histories .
Walking through an airport with NO PASSPORT? WOW!
Automation appears to be the underlying key to all of the other 4 points. I have to wonder how the facial recognition would be used currently in the tracing of Covid-19. That would be a real game changer.
AI seems to have been around for a long time when you think about it (even in the movies -No 5 is Alive!) so thinking of all the professions that this will impact is enormous. I believe AI underlines everything from automation to logistics to retail – it’s all based on the this artificial intelligence technology – so perhaps there will need to be more programmers rather than labourers/workers; or will AI take this over as well? It’s somewhat scary to try to predict what will happen in the next 20-50 years.
A re-think in retail
This will be an exciting time in retail to be forefront in change which would provide a better lifestyle for many people.
It is certainly going to change the retail world. All I can see left for retail sector that we currently know is going to be the small businesses of niche markets.
Yes, the lifetstyle benefits will be hand-in-hand with mass job losses, but hopefully other jobs will emerge to replace them.
For sure there will be job losses and / or job changes. retail is all about the experience so there may be opportunities in other areas
This new technology will be a gain changer, however the impact on job loss will certainly be considerable.
I think the age of automation will have the biggest impact because of rising of artificial intelligence in many hospitality industry such as hotel services and even the check-in services in airports .
I am fascinated by the conversation between a robot and human being about the booking for an appointment.
We will see it as a very easy way to organise our lives. But it does leave you wondering about how fast our lives will become due to it.
I agree. There is the potential for identity theft and privacy issues, too.
It is the combination of these 5 (and others) combined with what this course calls “AI” and big data that will change our world forever. There are many futures to fear: • runaway algorithms that conclude the Earth would be better off without the current destructive infestation of absurd humans and wipe us out, • nano technology or gene manipulation that does us in by accident, • short term (human) thinkers that use algorithms to stuff their pockets with cash and power by efficiently manipulating human behaviour but neglect to notice the effect that humankind descends into nihilism, decay and… Read more »
I think change occurs every minute and embracing change is the way to move forward . The 5 macro trends will have an impact on the way things are done and seen , however I think that the demise of driving and the Age of Automation . As not having to drive your self to work or on holidays and having a vehicle do this for you will be a pretty cool thing to see . Automation is already occur somewhat as who would have considered paying your bills online or speaking with a virtual person in a chat room… Read more »
Mark,
I agree that driverless cars will be an innovation that will have huge impacts. I think it will lessen the number of cars on the road, it might encourage ride sharing (?), but it will also need a really big re-think of how we do things at present. Michael McQueen brought up the issue of insurance of driverless cars – who’s at fault – but it will also change our relationship with car ownership – maintenance, space for parking, licenses, registration for a few.
I think the world of automation will have the biggest impact because it will affect many jobs. This is good as repetitive work will be automated but it may happen at a speed that is so fast we don’t have time to retrain our population into other careers,
The future of work is indeed a concern. Young adults now have such a challenge finding work – and even a uni degree provides no guarantee of steady work. With the inevitable job losses that technology will continue to bring, young people will need to be able to ‘read’ the work-scape well otherwise they could be investing a lot of time and money gaining education and training that is of limited long-term use.
Yes it will definitely impact the jobs of today. This is why we need to be able to predict the jobs of tomorrow and inspire young people to be the intelligence behind the A.I.!
I think the World of Tiny will have a massive impact as it can be incorporated into the world or automation and the printable world.
This is just incredible the things that are already taking place, it looks like we live in science fiction movie. I believe that all five trends are already shaping our future, perhaps the Age of Automation is leading with the most impacts in many fields.
Yes I agree automation will be responsible for a huge shift in the types of jobs people will have.
I think the Printable World will have the biggest impact in the shortest time. I saw a “3D doll size print out” of one of the players on “8 of 10 Cats Watch Countdown” (this was an old series) recently. It was accurate and marvellous. When 3D printers are in homes (like microwaves), we’ll be able to create a range of items we want at home from practical art to regularly used items. We cut out all stages of production, except design, possibly. This will make the greenies happy too (to some degree)- production having less impact on the environment.… Read more »
Yes, i agree that the ‘printable world’ may have the biggest impact but this will be jeopardised by the raw material used for these creations – i.e.; currently plastics.
I can see all five macro trends shaping every area of our futures. It certainly makes me think of how as educators this will change not only the content that we teach but how we prepare our students for the not too distant future when these will be a reality. I think that the Age of Automation will have the most significant initial impact as it also has the potential to influences the other trends too.
Yes Georgie – how do we as educators adapt to ensure we keep our students minds open to accepting and adapting to the changes.
The way we teach could also be impacted by technology and AI. If there is a better way of teaching maths for example why can’t all students get access. Perhaps teachers will be more like facilitators and motivators utilising resources created and delivered by AI.
I agree Georgie – there are many manufacturing processes fully automated requiring less employees – workers need to have a higher skill set to operate, program and troubleshoot. The workforce of the future will need to more highly educated and adaptable.
This is just incredible, to think all of this will take place possibly in my life time, definitely in my children’s life time is fascinating. The printable future of creating skin from a human for a skin graft is just incredible, the nano-technology that will help so many people suffering with disease and disorders is just out of this world. I think all of these will clearly have a massive impact, but i LOVE the fact a robot can sense your having an off day and send a person to come and check on you or assist you – yes… Read more »
It is interesting that we are seeing the ability of a robot to sense emotions, I agree, possibly wonderful but also somewhat overwhelming at the same time.
Karalyn, good point, we’ll still crave human contact especially when we need medical support. I must agree that AI automation is remarkable in assisting in surgery making the “surgeons hands” extremely accurate. The skin grafts and cartilage being a 3D printable item, being a fabulous invention too!
And yet…I spent many hours recently – at the height of the Covid crisis in Australia – trying to get past a virtual assistant to organise a service from my Telco. Incredibly frustrating!!
The is a fascinating look into the world of tomorrow – much closer now with so much already in development and testing phases. Definitely the automation will have the most impact. All the other trends involve or depend on the progression of automation and AI. The nanobots for medical research will rely on AI to recognise cancer cells, etc. It wont be long before our 3D printers themselves connect online and locate the files they need after scanning an object you point your phone at. Each will drive the others. UberDrones will use facial recognition to pick up passengers and… Read more »
I agree Susan – all the trends are interrelated – it’s almost a chicken and the egg situation.
Personally I was most ‘wow’ed by the automated cars/Uber Drones and how this will contribute to all facets of our lives in terms of travel, potential workplaces, multiple residences (why not live in Brisbane but work in Sydney, if you’re not going to have to drive yourself? Can the ‘drive’ down be a remote-working day, perhaps?). The prospect of AI intelligence getting out of hand is very scary for many of us, and I don’t know what on earth can be done to curtail this given people are working in a renegade and hyperspeed fashion on this race to the… Read more »
I already travel interstate for work – it would be nice to travel while in sleep hours, or catch a movie on the road 🙂
I too travel for work 3-4hrs per day… at the moment I’m driving (covid), which is incredibly tiring. In the past travelling by train i have loved watching movies, reading or sleeping. Gosh i even completed two uni degrees during my travel time.
I do hope this technology allows for more human down time – rather than the fight to get more things done / the rat race we are currently in, I hope it allows us to start focusing on the people around us, our loved ones and creating more community.
I agree Karalyn however imagine having driverless technology you could wok from your vechile while travelling between locations ,attend meetings ,catch a movie ,do a virtual tour ?
Yes, this notion of driverless cars has a lot more to it than I realised. The opportunity is endless as to what we will be able to do in terms of travel.
Amber, I love the idea of automated cars too! Since Australia has stopped manufacturing cars I hope we’ll design and produce AI cars for Uber like hire. I see these future technology pathways as ways of strengthening the Aussie economy and making us an independent nation. We’re too reliant on other economies for basic goods at present. Back to AI cars – as I get older, living in a country town (Railway Station has been abandoned) with neighbouring towns 30mins away, Sydney 3/5 hrs away and Canberra 2hrs away, I’d love to jump in an AI car and safely travel… Read more »
Alison , An Australian company has just announced to build electric cars and possible AI cars in the future .This technology is embracing where we have to go into clean reliable cars . it would also be great to have driverless vehicles to travel .pla
I can see the massive changes that all 5 of these trends will have on our world. When looking at it from a perspective of how it will affect the tasks I complete in my daily life, I think it the Age of Automation that will have the most impact, followed by the Printable World. I can visualise my pantry and fridge automatically ordering groceries as I use them. I can also see that it may reduce the worry of having elderly parents in their own home, as their well-being can be monitored by their phones and other devices (not… Read more »
I agree, the ability to reduce worry, particularly for elderly parents or isolated individuals and increased access to care for those that are disadvantaged is a very good point.
WOW you sense the immensity of the change that has been and that is coming! I think the age of automation will impact on our daily lives. We see it now and once we’ve moved from Artificial Narrow Intelligence to general and then super our lives we be very different from what they are today. When I think about the progress over the last 100 years, that will be nothing compared to what will happen over the next 20 or 30 years!
I agree Gaye. Scary, don’t you think, the rapidity with which technology now travels? I can barely keep up myself and I’m in my 30s!
yes, we cant really even imagine the future. In less than 20 years my grandchildren are experiencing a massively different world to my own children. What is scary is that the darker underworld to all this seems to be operating at a much faster pace.
This technology is quite scary, things are certainly changing quite rapidly. I worry about the being able to keep up with all the technological changes and the inpact if will have on future generations.
The Triumph of the Tiny will have the biggest impact, I think. 1.medicine/health where there will be diseases/conditions/illnesses treated/cured. 2. Agriculture, viticulture to improve yields and manage disease in crops and livestock 3. Construction/Engineering 4. Retail 5. Link with the Printable World – print your own nano medical treatment.
Hi Helen, you can see how its application can be so widespread! microbots in the blood stream seems freaky now but will be so common place.
I think the Age of Automation will be the biggest game changer! We have robots being able to do unbelievable things alread and they are only at the first level, artificial narrow intelligence. Its mind blowing thinking this is basic yet there are two more levels.
The medical field will benefit from this. As it does already, with a lesser recovery time, less invasive procedures…and the motes that Michael was explaining and what they do already.
Its just amazing but also a little scary
Completely agree Aimee – its exciting and a little overwhelming at the same time. I’m curious to see the impact it will have on us ‘the humans’ will we become people of leisure? will our robots work for us? its so fascinating!
Yes Aimee I agree the Age of Automation seems to be the driving force for tomorrow’s future!
Certainly I believe all five trends will shape our future and they are all have a place moving forward. To me currently it is The age of automation that is making the biggest impact in our lives. Artificial intelligence has become the norm and is so influential in our lives without our knowledge. The medical field is going to benefit in a huge way. Already Robots performing precision surgery, which are non invasive and forms of testing have been a boon to the medical field. Mini capsule cameras and micro dust are already being used as we speak
yes, artificial intelligence has definitely become the norm to us. we do not even think about the implications we just partake in it willingly. it is a little daunting to realise that A. I. will be more intelligent than humans at one stage.
Wow! All the macro trends give me a bit of a head spin. The demise of driving has a big impact. There are a lot of positive outcomes, however think about the introduced risks – just of the top of my head, the extra airspace activity that has to be managed, the risk of technology going wrong and potential accidents, the risk of the technology being used for wrong-doing. This side of the technology needs to be thought about too.
Barb,
I would have to agree with you on this! Its mind blowing. Its crazy when you think about how fast technology has moved over the last 20 od years! I have alot of concerns with all of the macro trends….like you say there are huge risks of accidents, wrong doings, etc!
I believe the biggest impact would be the triumph of the tiny, imagine what this would mean in the field of medicine and the cure of of present day incurable sickness, i would also love to see the use of micro dust (motes) to be added in diets of people suffering from deadly allergies and also in diabetes management
Yes, I see this as having a significant impact on the world in a range of areas apart from the medical world.