With Charles Babbage, the era of the computer started. Now the modern computer can fit in someone’s hand or pocket as a smartphone. It is an honorable stage, but as technophiles and researchers, we want more. With this in mind, today we perform the ‘time travel act’ and try to guess the state of future computers. Plus, we try to imagine with supportive data- what will computers be like in 2050? Let’s begin!

 

What is the Future of Computers?

If you think a computer is just hardware, you are wrong. Yes, with the advancement of technology, computer hardware will evolve. But computers can’t work without proper software.

1. Processing power

In modern computers, a processor can have 64 cores with approximately 6-GHz speed. But if you consider Moore’s law1 to calculate the speed, your calculation will be wrong.

Considering the limitations, like architecture, processor size, and if conventional materials are used. It only may go high up to 10-12GHz. The speed can be double or quadruple if a new material or technology is used for manufacturing the processors.

2. Memory

We were already using high storage SSDs. So, it could be extended more in the future. A home-based computer can have exabyte memory. With high speed read and write rate, they will not take eternal like today to copy a 4K video file.

3. Other technologies

We can see the improvement in WiFi, LAN, low latency internet, etc. surely. Graphics cards also create real-life ray-tracing and can have 3D holographic projections too.

4. Software

In the future, we should possess the comfort of AI and quantum coding. With simple voice commands, a programmer can write any software, considering he/she has the proper authorization and tools.

5. Cloud computing

Significantly, popular Cloud computing2 will grow more in demand. That’s because the price will be lower, and the base computer devices will be accessed from anywhere. No one has to keep costly computer hardware. Community computing will kick in.

 

What will computers be like in 2050?

Indeed, based on the upcoming research, we can predict a bit about computer technologies in 2050.

1. Quantum computer

Future computers will solve any problems in a second with the help of quantum mechanics. These computers are not a toy. It will serve in the research field and the betterment of humankind.

Quantum computing concept

2. AI

Artificial Intelligence will have a surpassing impact on decision-making and other aspects. Even today, we have AI-driven cars. They are writing poetry, war simulation, and many more things. In the next 30 years, AI technology will grow like a swan.

3. Advanced AR/VR integration

For any computer, the user may have additional AR/VR. They will not remain as bulky. Maybe with microscopic technology, they can be fitted in a contact lens. It will be more realistic than ever. We may perhaps experience something like- total recall or the matrix movie.

4. Interactive holographic display

It will not remain the sole property of tony stark or iron man. Everyone could have the experience of an interactive holographic display at their homes. With it, communication with the computer device will be comfortable and smooth.

 5. Braingate processor

With the Braingate3 processor, the brain-machine interface will be obvious. A chip will be implanted in the motor cortex of the brain. Any human with the implant can control any compatible machine or computer my thinking. No need for a mouse, keyboard, or other input devices anymore.

6. DNA computing

DNA can carry lots of data. So, by creating a DNA memory device, the size of any datacenter will fit smaller. Nevertheless, DNA computing can also have an impact on the medical industry. With DNA hacking, the gene-disease can be removed from the human body. But that’s a different subject than DNA computing. It’s not just a hypothesis; it is now in the primary stage!

7. Microscopic computer

With the rapid miniaturization of all the machines, it’s guessed that we can have prototypes of microscopic computers. With this technology, the possibilities are unlimited. It should be very much applicable in the medical field. Recently, IBM introduced their version of a Microscopic computer4. It has the size of rice grain. This chip can operate with blockchain or manage basic AI jobs.

8. Neuromorphic computing

These types of computers can simulate neuro-biological compositions present in the nervous system. With the advancement of this technology, we may able to create hybrid computers. Maybe this is the way of keeping anyone alive in the future. On the other hand, the Neuromorphic chips also can learn continuously. Imagine a machine with advanced AI fitted with a Neuromorphic and Braingate processor; If they turned bad, it was a total catastrophe for the planet.

9. AI neural network

This is a way of simulating the human brain. After 30 years or less, we can back up our childhood memories in computer storage. Suddenly, when the AI is introduced to learn and think like humans, it will be a 50-50 chance. We already know about the dark poetry of Google AI. We don’t want any judgment day on our earth.

Doctor holding Artificial intelligence

How will computers change our world in the future?

In this time, computers are everywhere. They are managing complex calculations, doing the things humans won’t be able to do. For future computers, it will be a probability of morality.

We need something like Isaac Asimov wrote in his book. The three laws of robotics. If these laws can code AI, the chances of danger are low. Yet, the hypothesis states that- the chances of human distraction and AI domination are inevitable. But there is hope, and we do trust that.

Our world has many issues, like global warming, overpopulation, climate change. By using a quantum computer, future researchers can overcome difficulties. Medical science also gets benefited in the future. With advanced robotics and computer, the remote operation will be easy. The education system will grow more, and students can learn with interactive displays efficiently. The overall image will show a bright new sun!

Conclusion

Ultimately, the prospect is high for future computers. Sadly, bad guys are here now, also remain tomorrow. If they want to do something immoral, they can do that with computers. It’s not the computer’s fault.

What we discussed is based on today’s technology and a bit of imagination. The SciFi genre is screening these for a long. Now we have to keep the legacy straight and not fall for any traps!

 

Reference

  1. Moore’s law: Retrieved from the wikipedia.org website. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore%27s_law
  1. Cloud computing: Retrieved from the futureforall.org website. https://www.futureforall.org/computers/computers.htm
  1. Braingate: Retrieved from the braingate.com website. https://www.braingate.com/brainscience/
  1. Microscopic computer: Retrieved from the interestingengineering.com website. https://interestingengineering.com/ibm-unveils-the-worlds-smallest-computer-that-is-tinier-than-a-salt-grain