The world of technology is moving fast, but most people experience this rate of change first through interaction with their devices and gadgets, so I lift the lid on what's coming.
Matthew GriffinFounder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
G7 · G20governments advised
850+keynotes
102countries
17codexes
Future of society sessions forSlovakiaTechSamsungCalifornia Governor's OfficeThe Mentor ProjectBritish Property FederationRWE
Featured inBloombergThe Wall Street JournalThe Telegraph
About this TV interview
Firstly, I’d like to thank Curtis, James and the crew for inviting me to be a part of the Gadget Show’s special Future of Tech episode where we looked at what the future holds for all the gadgets and devices we hold dear, and a whole variety of other everyday items we take for granted. And please note that the video can't be played in some countries because of copyright restrictions, so any issues just let me know.
While the filming itself took over three hours we had to try and cram as much as we could into a three minute slot so inevitably tons of footage ended up hitting the cutting room floor, and some of what hit that floor might surprise you, including how companies can turn your WiFi routers into the ultimate radar-like spying device, the emergence of the world’s first self-evolving self-manufacturing robots, and conversational AI’s that can predict your health, and much much more. But of the edits that did make the cut, well, as you can see those included the first batteryless hypercar, cancer detecting smartphones, terminator robots, and more.
The future in 3 furious minutes
However, if you stay up to date on my blog where there are thousands of articles about the future then fear not you’ll know much more about what’s coming in the future than we were able to cram into this three minute clip.
311 Intelligence
What this means for your leadership team
Routers may become sensors.
The session said companies can turn WiFi routers into a radar-like spying device. Wi-Fi 7 is listed with wide use by 2030, and the action level is Prepare. Leadership teams should ask what the networks in their buildings can sense, not only what they carry.
Phones are turning into health tools.
The broadcast cut featured cancer detecting smartphones, and the cut footage covered conversational systems that predict your health. This sits close to Quantified Self, a trend marked Act now with wide use in 2020. Health data from personal devices is already a live issue for employers and insurers.
Robots are changing how they are made.
The session mentioned the first self-evolving self-manufacturing robots and terminator robots. Robots as a field have a first product in 1956 and wide use by 2032, so the base technology is mature. The newer question is machines that build and improve themselves.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
What can the routers in our offices sense beyond carrying data?
Which personal health devices will our staff and customers expect us to support?
Where could self-manufacturing robots change our supply chain or our risk?
The trends and technologies behind this session
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
What does the Gadget Show session mean for organisations?
It shows how fast everyday devices are gaining new abilities. Routers, phones and robots all appeared, and each carries both an opportunity and a risk. Organisations should review what these devices can do beyond their stated purpose.
How do robots relate to the session?
The session covered terminator robots and the first self-evolving self-manufacturing robots. In 311 data, Robots are machines that carry out a series of actions on their own or with little help. Wide use is expected by 2032, with the action level set to Explore.
How does Wi-Fi 7 relate to the router warning?
The session said routers can be turned into a radar-like spying device. Wi-Fi 7 is a wireless standard with speeds of several gigabits a second and less delay. It is expected in wide use by 2030, so router capability is worth planning for now.
How can 311 brief our leadership team on this?
Through a private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector, in person first.
Bring this to your leadership teamA private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. In person first, anywhere in the world.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s session and 311 data.
If Matthew gave this session today
Hundreds of emerging technologies, mapped for industry.
The codex explores hundreds of emerging technologies and their implications for global culture, industry and society, the long-range view that any 2080 infrastructure strategy depends on.
