×
Exponential View: 5 key tech and AI trends to watch
Written by
Published on
Join our daily newsletter for breaking news, product launches and deals, research breakdowns, and other industry-leading AI coverage
Join Now

The evolving landscape of technological disruption: The latest edition of Exponential View explores several emerging technologies and their potential to reshape various sectors, from healthcare to warfare and geopolitics.

  • GLP-1 drugs, even with limited medical use, could significantly impact US society, potentially transforming lifestyle choices and reducing violence if widely adopted.
  • The increasing effectiveness of low-cost drones against major military assets is creating an “exponential asymmetry” in warfare, reminiscent of the historical shift from battleships to airplanes.
  • China’s efforts to circumvent US technology controls in chip manufacturing highlight the critical importance of semiconductor technology in the AI-driven future.

GLP-1 drugs: A potential societal game-changer: The analysis of GLP-1 drugs presents three possible scenarios for their impact, with even the most conservative estimate suggesting significant societal changes.

  • Medical use alone could have a substantial effect on US society, indicating the drug’s potent influence.
  • More widespread adoption could lead to a transformation in how people approach lifestyle and food choices.
  • The drugs’ potential to reduce societal violence adds another layer to their far-reaching implications.

The drone revolution in military strategy: Recent events highlight the growing asymmetry between low-cost consumer technology and traditional military assets, forcing a reassessment of defense strategies.

  • Germany’s rerouting of commercial vessels around Africa due to inadequate naval protection against drones underscores this shift.
  • The US is developing directed-energy weapons to counter the threat, signaling an arms race in drone and anti-drone technology.
  • Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s suggestion to prioritize drones over tanks in military spending reflects the debate over the future of warfare.

Coexistence of old and new technologies: Despite the disruptive potential of drones, experts caution against completely abandoning traditional military assets.

  • Historical precedent suggests new technologies often coexist with older ones rather than entirely replacing them.
  • The next iteration of conflict is likely to see drones and conventional weapons used in tandem.
  • Anti-drone weaponry is expected to improve, potentially neutralizing some of the current advantages of drone technology.

China’s semiconductor ambitions: The race for technological supremacy in AI and computing continues, with China making strides despite US attempts to limit its progress.

  • US technology controls have slowed China’s advancement in chip manufacturing, but not as much as initially expected.
  • Reports of Xiaomi creating a prototype 3nm system-on-a-chip suggest China is making progress in advanced semiconductor technology.
  • The competition in chip manufacturing underscores the critical role of compute power in the AI-driven future.

The acceleration of technological disruption: The various developments highlighted in this edition of Exponential View point to an overarching trend of accelerating technological disruption across multiple domains.

  • From healthcare to warfare and geopolitics, emerging technologies are challenging established norms and strategies.
  • The rapid pace of innovation is creating both opportunities and challenges for societies, militaries, and governments.
  • As these technologies continue to evolve, their potential to reshape global dynamics and power structures becomes increasingly apparent, necessitating adaptive and forward-thinking approaches from decision-makers in all sectors.
🔮 The Sunday edition #498: exponential conflict; AI worlds; the perils of a cashless society; bad clutter ++

Recent News

Nvidia’s new AI agents can search and summarize huge quantities of visual data

NVIDIA's new AI Blueprint combines computer vision and generative AI to enable efficient analysis of video and image content, with potential applications across industries and smart city initiatives.

How Boulder schools balance AI innovation with student data protection

Colorado school districts embrace AI in classrooms, focusing on ethical use and data privacy while preparing students for a tech-driven future.

Microsoft Copilot Vision nears launch — here’s what we know right now

Microsoft's new AI feature can analyze on-screen content, offering contextual assistance without the need for additional searches or explanations.