100 years from now: what the world will look like in the XXII century

In 1900, the world was experiencing its second industrial revolution. Its foundations had been laid a century earlier, but the widespread use of electricity made it possible to replace human labour with more efficient automated systems. Neck machines replaced the needle and thread, tractors came to the aid of farmers with hoes. Typewriters appeared in many offices, automobiles displaced horse-drawn carriages from city roads.

One hundred years after the second industrial revolution, in the early 2000s, automation and even more advanced machines pushed the boundaries of what was possible again. Advances in communications technology have made the world more global than ever before in history. There are hundreds of satellites orbiting the Earth and a huge International Station. We have decoded DNA and made great leaps in the field of medicine. Computers in every home have changed traditional methods of learning and even the language of communication. The Internet has given everyone a whole new platform and ways to fulfil themselves, including the rise of online entertainment platforms like Slotozen, where players from around the world can engage in the thrill of online casinos without leaving their homes.

As we look to the XXII century, the trajectory of technology suggests a world where virtual realities are as common as smartphones were at the turn of the millennium. The implications of such technologies on daily life, economy, and culture are profound, mirroring the revolutionary changes witnessed at the onset of previous centuries.

Climate: change and adaptation

For two centuries we have been using fossil fuels. This has led to numerous environmental problems that can no longer be ignored. However, the real realisation of the magnitude and promise is only just beginning. While the scientific community has a relative consensus on this issue, the political elite around the world are extremely reluctant to accept the inevitable. They are at the bargaining stage, followed by depression, and only then will practical action begin.

According to the forecasts of leading climatologists, by 2100 the level of the world's oceans will rise by 1-3 metres. This will change the lives of hundreds of millions, perhaps billions of people. Some major cities and even entire countries will cease to exist. However, despite the very gloomy predictions, there is one hopeful detail. Throughout history, humanity has shown a remarkable capacity for adaptation. Simply put, we will not become extinct as a species, but we will have to cope with a number of challenges.

First of all, we have to tackle the problem of pollution. To do this, we will have to abandon fossil fuels. It's already slowly happening. The Tesla Model Y has become the best-selling car in the world. But rebuilding the energy mix of a city or an entire country is a much more difficult task. Many places are actively transitioning to green energy. The process will accelerate and scale. Engineers find solar power very promising. Of course, they do not write off fusion. However, there is a classic thing about it in scientific circles.

Before the widespread introduction of fusion is always twenty years.

Such forecasts were given 20 years ago, in the 80s of the XX century, nothing has changed today. However, there are significant changes in the other direction. Modern corporations are striving to reach carbon-free energy sources for their production. Which was quite an uncharacteristic feature back in the early 21st century. While it may not be out of the goodness of their hearts, or for the greater good, if a commercially successful ‘perfect battery’ is created, we all win.

NASA chief technologist John Mankins believes that in the future special satellites, organised into huge networks, will mine solar energy, supplying it to the market. The fact is that the Sun has an enormous energy potential, which we still practically do not use. Technically it is already possible, but there is no efficient technology to store the collected solar energy. It is expected that the development of nanotechnology will make it possible to turn almost any surface painted with special paint into collectors. Later, portable devices, the size of a phone and capable of powering an entire house, will also appear. One way or another, clean energy will displace oil and coal just as electricity once replaced gas lighting.

If we hope to keep the Earth relatively friendly to humanity, we need to explore ways to impact the atmosphere. Simply put, we need technology to turn precipitation on and off, to influence the wind. This is in its infancy now, but the theoretical part is much further advanced. We will probably have much more impressive results by the twenty-second century. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen, a professor of environmental engineering, believes that geoengineering is too dangerous right now, but humanity must move in this direction. One day, technology will allow us to manipulate the weather. Just imagine a green Sahara with full-flowing rivers and lakes. Today, it's 9,200,000 kilometres of desert. It's only slightly smaller than the United States

War: robot soldiers

War has been a faithful companion of Homo sapiens throughout history. Unfortunately, there is no suggestion of a positive outlook. It will remain in our lives, although it will undergo a number of changes. The number of human casualties in armed conflicts is expected to decrease by 2100. This is due to the development of artificial intelligence, the automation of combat systems and the increasing accuracy of weapons.

It's hard to imagine now, but in the 21st century, AI, machines and humans will converge on the battlefield. DARPA (a division of the US Department of Defence) predicts an unprecedented degree of symbiosis between humans and robotic systems. Interfaces for controlling robots will become simpler, which is what will attract more operators working remotely. Gil Metzger, director of applied research at Lockheed Martin, assures that weapons will become less destructive, but more versatile and accurate. This will make it possible to perform tasks causing less destruction, reducing ‘collateral damage.’ This term refers to civilian casualties and non-military targets accidentally hit.

Raytheon Intelligence & Space chief technologist Lane McKinney is betting on laser weapons, which have better accuracy, near-zero cost per shot and unlimited ammunition. All of the above can be housed in a body smaller than the famous AK-47. Experimental development has been carried out by all developed countries for the last decades. If not by the beginning, then by the middle of the XXII century compact laser weapons will become the norm, a common thing in the hands of every soldier. All that remains is to increase efficiency to the point where a 50 kW generator can power a laser beam of the same power.

Transport: anywhere in the world in an hour

We have always dreamed of personal flying cars, like in ‘The Fifth Element’ or ‘Judge Dredd’, but this picture is highly unlikely. The bet is on the development of public transport. Stephen Pope, editor-in-chief of Flying Magazine, believes that the XXII century will see the emergence of unmanned passenger aeroplanes. More compact analogues can be used in large cities with multi-level transport networks. There is a noticeable trend towards acceleration in travelling. In 100 years, people will be able to live in one country and fly daily to work in another. This will also allow travellers to visit the most remote parts of the planet in a matter of hours on a single holiday.

It seems unrealistic now, but a similar shift has already happened. First, railways shortened the journey between cities from days to hours. Then air travel made it possible to cross oceans within a day, rather than the 2-3 weeks it took before.

Ilon Musk is also pondering the creation of a fundamentally new transport network. He proposes rockets as a way to move passengers. The concept sounds quite elegant: to anywhere in the world in an hour. Now it is difficult to assess how fantastic or realistic the idea is. The fact is that SpaceX has already achieved some fantastic results. On the other hand, not all of Musk's ideas have been realised.

Unambiguously and almost synchronously, futurologists predict that all ground freight transport will move to automated systems. These will be unmanned vehicles with dedicated lanes or even separate roads. Transportation planning expert Jamie Lederman predicts a different development. In his opinion, much of the surface trucking will be done with pneumatic tubes, almost like in ‘Futurama.’ Some, and perhaps many, goods will no longer require shipping at all. 3D printing technology will make it possible to create the perfect replica.

Space: a new home

Today, there are only a few people working in space - a select few whose names are known around the world. In the XXII century, the situation will change dramatically: travelling to Earth orbit will become routine. Most likely, we will realise the concept of space lifts, which have been dreamed of by science fiction writers since the 19th century. The idea is quite simple, but to realise it requires technology, which we already almost have. We need a sufficiently strong, elastic and lightweight cable, and it can be made of nanotubes. Alternatively, a design with magnets is being considered. In any case, rockets are too expensive for mass ‘populating’ orbit. We need cheaper and, more importantly, regular communication with near-Earth space.

Calvin Long, co-founder of the Interstellar Exploration Initiative, argues that the main goal should be to make it cheaper to get people and cargo into space. At the moment, this is the main problem preventing further development of space programmes. If costs can be drastically reduced, we can create a solar system economy independent of Earth. This includes not only orbital hotels or lunar tourism, but also private missions aimed at exploration and resource extraction.

There is almost no doubt that in 2100 there will be a permanent colony on the Moon, and probably people will be on Mars as well. However, the number of colonists will remain relatively small - at best hundreds of still-selected pioneers.

Ron Litchford, NASA's chief technology officer, says nuclear technology will come to space. First of all, they will replace outdated engines that have already reached their peak. Today's spacecraft can be compared to paddle boats trying to cross the Pacific Ocean. It is time to invent a sail or a compact nuclear power plant that will allow the spacecraft to accelerate to 10-20% of the speed of light. This would be enough to travel comfortably through the solar system. At this speed, humans will be able to reach and eventually colonise Europa, a satellite of Jupiter.

We will continue to launch small unmanned probes to all corners of the Milky Way. Andreas Hein, executive director of the Interstellar Exploration Initiative, sees credit card-sized probes with a coin-sized nuclear battery reaching promising exoplanets and transmitting detailed images back to Earth. We'll be looking for a new home and neighbours.