This morning I attended a 9:30am (wayyy too early) SXSW session and it BLEW MY MIND. I’m trying not to be dramatic, but the session “Imagineering the Fully Digitized and Connected Future,” walked through what a typical day in 2015 could look like. In 2015, the panelists described, we would be totally connected, everything would be digital and there would be sensors that collect and share your data with everyone.
Here are some things that really made me excited about a fully digitized and connected future:
1. Every surface is a screen and all of your data is collected- In the fully digitized world the fridge is your “home screen.” Every table, billboard and appliance is a screen, and that screen is constantly collecting your data. All of your data is shared with everyone all the time.
2. The more data that is shared the greater the need for “disconnecting” grows- When everything is “connected” all of our objects will need to be charged. The panelists described the idea of charging pods, where people will sit inside, charge up their devices and relax. Because as we become more and more connected to each other, we will need more and more time to disconnect and relax. In the fully digitized world another place to be disconnected will be the shower. But enjoy your shower time, because it’s pretty much the only time you’ll get.
3. There are robots- No surprise here, but in the future there are lots of robots. I’m sure this will thrill my friend Emilie, who loves robotics. In the fully digitized world robots are able to go places for you and participate in conversation with others. The panelists described being in New York and wanting to attend an art show in London. All you have to do is send your robot, chat through a web cam and enjoy the art show from the comfort of your own home.
4. Privacy at work won’t exist- The panel discussed the future of work and how little privacy will exist. The idea of a “communal computing table,” is the future of work. Employees will arrive, sit wherever they please and do their work on a flat surface with drag and drop applications. Of course there will still be iPad like devices for “private work,” but most all work will be done in the public. Your boss will also be able to watch everything you do because all of your life’s data will be collected. If my boss wants to see what I was doing at 3pm on Friday, all she has to do is take a look at my data stream.
The future may feel scary to some people, but I think 2015 sounds amazing and exciting. What do you think of the fully digitized and connected future?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad you made it to the session. Daylight savings time was too much for me this morning. Should have sent my robot instead.
#robotsrock!
A few things:
1. I love you redesign it looks great – clean and sharp yet still fun and inviting.
2. Can I send my robot to a potentially awkward family dinner and then just act like my webcam broke? “Oh, I tried so hard to be there but this just isn’t working out.”
3. I am nervous about the robots. What if I get confused and take a robot into the shower and zap everything during my relax-time? Whew.
1. Thank youuu
2. That’s a super idea. I’m pretty sure my robot will attend 99% of my family functions.
3. There is no telling what will happen when a robot gets into the shower.
Oh man, I think about stuff like this ALL the time and reading your recap makes me equal parts furious that I’m not at SXSW and excited to own a robot who can bake me croissants.
Wait, is that not the point of a super tech future? I don’t know. I just love croissants.
Also, wanted to say thanks again for being so unbelievably cool this morning. Big ups.
I strongly believe that when robots rule the world they will be good, not evil. So yes, I see no reason why there won’t be croissant baking robots.
Blake, thanks for writing up your notes from my SxSW 2015 panel. Hearing that we blew your mind made my day. I’ll send out tweets from @uxcrank when the videos and slideshare versions are available.
Hey Dan-
No, thank you for a great panel! Looking forward to seeing the slides.