Session 9

Session 9

SESSION 9: REVIEW

Topics covered:

·       Emerging and future technologies

Videos watched:

1.     Claytronics

2.     A1 perfect woman

3.     Augmented reality

Brief Overview/ Summary

·       Emerging and future technologies

Everyday, new discoveries are made and new technologies are created. Computers that are sold in the consumer market as “cutting edge” are usually outdated before they are even bought. Surely something must be driving the research and development of these emerging technologies?

During class, we discussed several drivers for the development of emerging and future technologies. They are:

1.     Unmet market opportunity and need (market-driven research and development)

a.      This type of driver operates on the principle of identifying a need in society and conducting R&D in order to create a product that meets that need.

2.     Growing body of scientific and technological know-how make new technologies that were inconceivable even 10 years ago increasingly possible.

a.      Computers 30 years ago used to take up entire rooms and were only able to perform the relatively simplest of tasks. Compare those computers to computers today that fit into a standard A4 sized envelope (Apple MacBook Air). Just yesterday, the new MacBook Air was released with an even slimmer form factor than its predecessor. All these innovations are made possible by new technologies like the 45nm transistors and CPUs.

3.     Supply can sometimes create demand

4.     Sometimes, consumers will not realize demand for a particular product until the product is already in the market. One very good example would be the mobile phone. Before the invention of the mobile phone, people scoffed at the idea of needing to carry a mobile phone. Look at how integral our mobile phones are to our lives nowadays!

5.     Mass media and advertising

a.      The mass media has a very big influence on consumers. It has the power to change perceptions and create demand for a particular product. All one has to do is to watch a “Did you know” video on YouTube to experience a change of perception.

Interesting Observations and Ideas/Key Takeaways

·       Emerging and future technologies

Many interesting observations during this week’s session came from the presentations by my classmates. However, I’ve decided to focus on the most interesting. My interesting observations are from a presentation by my friend, Qing Yun, titled: Love + Sex with Robots

The presentation was based upon a book by the same title that looks at the history of teledildonics, the psychological aspect of love and sex and how this relates to robots.

A very interesting point of discussion that came up during the presentation was the possibility of human-robot marriages. Might we see human-robot marriages in the future? What would be the social implications of such a thing? For most of the world, gay marriages will hardly warrant a raised eyebrow. I remember reading a newspaper article some time ago of this man marrying his TV. If people can marry inanimate objects, would it not be much easier to marry an object with some form of intelligence? If robot marriages become commonplace in the future, robots will be the first man-made objects to be raised to a level of equal standing as that of man.

Another interesting observation that resulted from the discussion of this presentation was that the Pornographic industry seems to be the industry that most readily embraces new advances in technology. Although slightly off topic, it was pointed out that even before Avatar, the poster boy for 3D films was released, plans were already underway to film a pornographic movie in 3D. One might infer that the level of acceptance towards new technology is so high in the pornographic industry because it seeks to satisfy a very basic human need.

Issues for Further Discussion

·       Emerging and future technologies

1.     Artificial Intelligence is one of the many new and emerging technologies that and is frequently discussed. So far, man has been able to create autonomous beings, but has been unable to replicate any form or semblance of intelligence. Given the enormous effort currently devoted to A.I., do you think there is a possibility of Artificial Intelligence exceeding the capabilities of Human Intelligence in the future?

Personal Ratings

(8/10) This was a very interesting session. The topics were interesting, the viewpoints and insights shared by my classmates were very intriguing and many different sides of the proverbial coin were seen. This session was thoroughly enjoyable.