The editors of the MIT Technology Review magazine of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology compiled a list of the 10 most important technologies that will have the greatest impact on people's lives and activities in 2024.

Artificial intelligence

The first place was taken by artificial intelligence (AI). Billions of people have already learned about ChatGPT and other large language models, as well as dozens of specialized neural networks. In just one year, they changed the world, saturating the information space with intelligent assistants for reviews, writing texts, drawing and creating videos. There is no doubt that the overwhelming interest in AB and AB-based products, as well as the development of these products, will continue apace throughout 2024.

Solar energy

The MIT experts gave second place to super-efficient solar energy, which is already firmly established on Earth and has even challenged fossil energy sources in some regions, for example exceeding 50% of China's energy supply. Of course, it is still possible to increase the efficiency of solar energy use. today, solar photovoltaic cells operate at about 20% efficiency. MIT believes that by 2024, perovskite photocells will become widespread and provide the efficiency of commercial solar panels. NEWS.am Tech reported earlier that the glass of solar panels is widely cracking in solar power plants, and the reason is still unknown.

Apple Vision Pro

Experts awarded the third place in the list of possible breakthrough items in 2024 to the Apple Vision Pro device. It costs $3,500 and will begin shipping on February 2. This isn't Apple's first attempt at bringing mixed reality devices to market, and it's hard to say at this point whether it will succeed or not. Of course, the company made a lot of promises, however, without extensive software support and a large number of useful and valuable applications, this device will have little value, and not everyone can afford it.

Anti-obesity drugs

The developments in the fourth place promise to have a decisive impact on the health of the general public. These are anti-obesity drugs. The World Health Organization has called the global increase in obesity an epidemic. New drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have already shown their effectiveness in combating this problem. Moreover, they have promising additional effects. there is evidence that these drugs can even protect against heart attacks and strokes.

Geothermal energy

The latest technologies of using geothermal energy are in the fifth place. The heat coming from inside the earth has been used for decades, but all the methods and tools are only the first attempts to take advantage of these possibilities. It is clear that more sophisticated drilling and pipe laying techniques will help to get heat and power even where it was previously thought impossible.

Microchips

Microchips, which assemble large chips and processors, also appeared on the list of the most popular technologies of the new year. In the near future, microchips are the only way to create increasingly powerful and complex solutions.

Gene editing drugs

The seventh breakthrough development is the creation of a "drug" based on gene editing. At the end of 2023, for the first time, such a drug was approved for use in humans. One such breakthrough has been made by Vertex, which has received approval to use its "genetic scissors" to treat sickle cell anemia and the transfusion-dependent thalassemia beta variant. This will be followed by other experiments as the technology has proven its work and effectiveness.

Continuous scaling of supercomputers

Continuous scaling of supercomputers is also on the list of breakthrough technologies. This is actually a problem. Modern systems consume so much power and are so complex to manage that further scaling of performance is a difficult task in every sense. But humanity has overcome this problem. supercomputers have already surpassed the single exaflop threshold and are heading into a future where simulations of climate, nuclear reactions, and more can be done faster and more cost-effectively.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps have been recognized as the ninth most important technology that will help people organize their lives comfortably without polluting the environment. These are almost air conditioners, but work on a slightly different principle. Using electrical energy, heat pumps can heat rooms with minimal energy consumption, even in severe frosts. Sales of heat pumps have begun to increase worldwide, and in the United States they have surpassed gas furnaces for the first time. Interestingly, since last year, any new home in Germany must be heated by an electric heat pump by law.

Many competitors of X

MIT experts consider the likely emergence of many competitors for social network X (formerly Twitter) as the tenth most important factor affecting people's lives in 2024. According to experts, Elon Musk, who bought this social network, showed himself as a tyrannical and irresponsible leader, which scared users and advertisers. Therefore, the central place of this network in the world of social networks has actually been destroyed, and many of its potential "killers" are ready to take that place, for example, the already launched Bluesky and Threads networks.