10 breakthrough developments of 2024 according to MIT Technology Review
Since 2001, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology magazine MIT Technology Review has annually published its list of 10 promising technologies that, in the opinion of the editors, are capable of changing the world in the near future. Journalists look at advances in all areas: from neural networks and biotechnology to computing, robotics and climate technology.
It is worth saying that MIT Technology Review was not always right (at one time, the editors, for example, foreshadowed the great success of the deceased robot Baxter), but the magazine often notices important areas of progress before others (natural language processing technology was in the very first top 10 23 years ago; today it underlies large language models and generative neural networks). In general, MIT's predictions are interesting to follow, so we decided to translate for you article with forecasts for 2024.
1. AI for everything
We live in the era of artificial intelligence. Hundreds of millions of people interact directly with generative tools like ChatGPT, which create text, images, videos and more based on query prompts. Their popularity changed the face of the IT industry, putting the OpenAI name on the map worldwide and forcing Google, Meta*, and Microsoft to invest heavily in the technology.
2. Super efficient solar cells
The use of solar energy is rapidly spreading around the world and is a key factor in global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. But most of the sunlight that hits modern panels is not converted into electricity. Adding a layer of tiny crystals can make solar panels more efficient.
We are talking about a new generation of hybrid solar panels that combine traditional silicon (95% of modern panels are made from it) with a rather rare mineral with a crystalline structure – perovskite. Perovskite absorbs different wavelengths of light compared to silicon; together they use most of the solar spectrum. While the technical efficiency of classic silicon panels (electricity production per cell) does not exceed 30%, the efficiency of experimental hybrid panels has already exceeded 33% (though so far only in laboratory conditions).
3. Apple Vision Pro
On February 2, 2024, Apple began shipping its first mixed reality headset, Vision Pro, which overlays virtual content onto what we see around us. Its distinctive feature is the display with the highest resolution for such a device in history (3660 x 3200 pixels). But will the same stunning applications and programs be created for the headset? If the Vision Pro glasses don't find practical use in everyday life, then it will be another fly-by-night technology (RIP, Google Glass). On the other hand, we are talking about Apple, a company that has always been famous for its ability to create an innovative product that millions need.
4. Weight loss drugs
The World Health Organization has called the global rise in obesity an epidemic. Medicines such as Mugnaro and Vegovi are now some of the most powerful drugs for treating this disease. Evidence suggests they may even protect against strokes and heart attacks.
5. Advanced Geothermal Systems
Geothermal energy is clean, always available and virtually unlimited. However, due to engineering difficulties, geothermal energy today accounts for less than 1% of the world's renewable energy sources. New drilling techniques that allow us to dig deeper and in places where we couldn't before are releasing more of the Earth's heat to produce clean energy. In 2023, the American company Fervo Energy tested such a system in Nevada, drilling wells 1 kilometer deep, and stated about the commercial success of the project. The company is now working on a similar project in Utah and promises to produce more clean electricity than any hydroelectric plant in the state by 2028.
6. Chiplets
It's getting damn hard to reduce the size of transistors – the pattern of growth in the number of transistors on a microprocessor chip has been noticed back in 1965 by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and has contributed to advances in computer computing for decades. Now engineers must find new ways to make computers faster and more efficient. Chiplets are small, specialized chips that can be connected together. They can perform all the same functions as conventional microcircuits, and even more.
7. Treatment with genome editing
New treatments based on CRISPR-Cas9 have been developed for many years. At the end of 2023, the American pharmaceutical company Vertex became the first in the world managed win US and UK regulatory approval for a treatment to treat the deadly inherited disease sickle cell anemia.
8. Exascale computers
The world's fastest supercomputers can now perform calculations in excess of exaflops (that's one followed by 18 zeros). New machines capable of processing scientific data at such speeds will allow scientists to run more complex models of climate, nuclear fission, turbulence and more.
9. Heat pumps
Don't let the name fool you. Heat pumps are electrical appliances that can both cool and heat buildings. Their wider implementation can significantly reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Sales of heat pumps have already increased worldwide; in the US they surpassed gas ovens for the first time. New designs that operate at higher temperatures could also help decarbonize the industry.
10. Twitter Killers
Elon Musk bought the platform now known as X in 2022, and everything changed dramatically. Musk fired most of his employees and abandoned content moderation, thereby scaring off both advertisers and users. The monopoly was lost, and Twitter's former audience was now spread across a range of peers such as Bluesky and Threads.
What would you add to this list? Let's discuss in the comments!
By the way, the editors of MIT Technology Review also addressed this question to the audience. On April 15, 2024, it will become known which technology the magazine’s readers ranked 11th 😉
* The Meta company is recognized as an extremist organization in Russia.
