If we try to take the overview of where we were at the start of 21st Century to where we are now and where we would be by mid of 21st Century. I anticipate a phenomenal change. This 50 Years will be a giant leap for the mankind.
When we take an account in 2050 the world could be completely different from where we started around 2000.
Today we see following:
- From Technology leadership for US and Europe the baton seems to be shifting East words to China.
- From worlds super economies European countries are now leading the bankruptcy lists.
- From a 3rd world country India now is in Top 5 strongest global economies.
- It seems India & China will be torchbearers to take the world forward from here on to 2050.
Let’s just jump in and take account of What was, What is & What could be.
IT: The Past: What Was
When we talk about 2000 the first thing that’s hits us is Y2K. Brief background for the uninitiated. All the software systems were written with only 2-digit nomination for year, e.g. 94, 95, etc. When 2000 arrived, there was a fear that the whole system will get a reset to “00” & the world as we know can have its Dooms Day. Indian IT companies came to the foray and they amended all the software systems to 4-digit nomination. This highlights 2 most important aspects: The advent and rise of Software Technology to the world along with advent and rise of India on global stage as reliable IT service provider.
Open AI to Buy Statsig for 11 Billion Dollars
By Mid-2000’s there was another Technology out burst the Internet which ended in a famous dot.com bubble but Internet stayed and ever since has been becoming more and more wide spread touching lives and shaping the new world.
IT: Today: What Is
If we compare the scenario midway to this 50 Years journey – both IT (computers & Internet) are integral parts of our lives and work. They control so much in today’s world that we might be pushed to stone age in case they cease to exist. Things that no one thought about in 2000’s like – Phones in pocket, international communications at finger tips with laptop & internet, OTT movies being streamed directly from cloud to your home, connected devices, purchases from the comfort of your couch, digital payments, and another 1000’s of features that we today just take for granted.
But, the evolution till date and what is about to come with new inventions like cloud, mobile connectivity, AI, etc. the world we are about to see will be very different and could be unrecognizable by 2050 for some one who being born today.
IT: Future: What could be
My expectation is that technology could jump to a point where the world could see redefinition of connectivity. We could see machines, buildings, cities, etc communicating with each other to make this world a better place. We could operate any system or device from anywhere in the world on a mass adoption level. We could see Robots guarding our streets, working on machines, and do all redundant jobs, AI (this is a big debatable issue) could be a game changer and will be instrumental in all decision makings whether its personal, institutional or governmental.
I am only limited by my imagination on what could be…
Manufacturing: Past: What was:
The early 2000’s saw emergence of another eastern country China as the World’s Factory. The accession to WTO opened a lot of products to be manufactured in China and supplied to the world and China did not blink they kept climbing the ladder and becoming a dominant force in Global Manufacturing supply chain.
This era also saw an emergence of low-cost cars – mass adoption of cars and evolution in manufacturing at scale. This was start of globalisation. European Union was launched with EURO as their currency. The complete global supply chains were rewritten. USA & Russia dominated in defence, Space & Economics, Europe in automotive, mechanisation & robotics.
Manufacturing: Today: What Is:
Today we see a bit different from yesteryears. The word is again getting polarised with China+1, Europe+1, etc. US wants their manufacturing jobs back. China has significantly leap frogged with “Dark Factories” & Robots on assembly lines. They are making a strong headway in Automotive and have taken European giants by storm. They are building high-tech cars, 3D Printed homes, Robots as service providers, cleaners, drone deliveries, etc.
They have wreaking havoc with “Debt Trap” on not so well doing economies like Sub-Saharan countries, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, etc. All in all, China is dominating the manufacturing & technology landscape of today.
India by launching PLI & “Make in India” initiatives, US with “MAGA”, etc. are trying to gain back control from China to reduce the global dependence on the Dragon.
Manufacturing: Future: What could be:
The key words for future of manufacturing are efficient, automation & diversified. My expectation is that the dependence on China will surely reduce. We will see emergence of newer countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. doing good in this scenario. Over next 20~25 odd years, human might not be seen in factories, they will be run by robots and AI. Automotive would move to cleaner tech like EV, Hydrogen, etc. World will see a strong emergence of cleaner electricity as major power source moving away from fossils. I see, Self Drive Cars, Flying Cars, Drones, etc a mass adopted technologies from current concepts. Homes, Bridges, Rockets, etc. could be made with 3D Printing. Human Implants will be a reality, we might not need to carry a phone it could just be a sim implant.
I am only limited by my imagination on what could be…
Let’s move to the next big ticket which will change the future of mankind.
Space Technology: Past: What was:
Space has always been a huge area of interest and an opportunity to showcase once tech prowess. While the space technology war has been quite old between US, Russia, China. 2000’s was a revolutionary year with ISS – International Space Station. It marked continuous presence of humans in space. In the last 2 decades the major milestones achieved in Space Tech are, China’s manned craft capabilities, launch of SpaceX first private space research organisation, China’s own space station, India aggressively putting their own satellites INSAT in space. We saw advent of satellite TV, concept of Starlink, Moon exploratory missions, MARS missions, etc. the 2000’s decade has been foundation of Space Tech and has brought a lot of things like Material Innovation, advanced positioning systems, advanced communication systems, etc to mainstream.
Space challenges of 2000 – NASA
Space Technology: Present: What is:
In today’s scenario India and China have also taken huge leaps in space exploration. India’s Mars mission was an ultra-low-cost mission. India in a world first – also landed its rover on the dark side of moon. China has been first to land a rover on far side of moon. China also landed a rover on Mars becoming second country ahead of USA / Russia. SpaceX has successfully demonstrated the reuse of rockets for satellite propulsion, India’s Aditya mission is a study mission for the SUN. USA is working on Deep Space exploration, Space Station in moons orbit, space tourism, etc.
So, we are developing a lot of technologies and trying to expand the boundaries of known science and technologies.
Space Technology: Future: What could be:
Let me be candid here – I am limited by my imagination….. 🙂
I will not be surprised if we see, manned flights to Mars and beyond, if we see a huge network of satellites for communication, Supervision of world, lightning-fast satellite communications, colonisation in space, space tourism, AI playing a major role in assistance, much advanced materials with higher strength and lower weight. I would not be surprised if space travel becomes as normal as taking flights.
Exploring the deep space with telescopes. Orbital Hotels, colonies on Moon and Mars. Space station tourism.
So, to summarise this while the past for all Information Technology, Manufacturing & Space Tech was a strong foundation, present is quite progressive and we did come quite a long way, but, as it is always a hockey stick journey, I anticipate that the future progress for all three will be much faster over next 20~25 years.
I am not sure how many of us will live to see the world of tomorrow but it surely is bringing some very enigmatic changes.
Do let me know your views or if you think I missed any points in the comments box.
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