VR Network learned that Kevin Kelly, the founding editor of *Wired* magazine and author of *Out of Control*, recently attended the 2017 International Weekend held at Longgang Tianan Cyber City in Shenzhen. During the event, he shared his insights on the future of technology, highlighting ten major trends shaping our digital world. Among them were ideas like data connectivity leading to a "technology super body," the shift from ownership to access, and virtual reality evolving into a new form of social media.
Kelly emphasized that we are currently living in one of the most exciting times in history for innovation. He remarked, “I really believe that we are the best time in history and the best time for creating a customer.†According to him, the next 25 years could bring groundbreaking products that haven’t even been imagined yet. “Now we have to do these things. It is not too late for great things,†he said.
One of the key trends he discussed was the shift from fixed products to mobile formats. “From tangible to intangible, from fixed to fluid, from noun to verb, and from product to service,†he explained. This transformation affects all industries, including hardware, which can transition from selling physical devices to offering services built around those devices. The mobile format enables decentralization, constant upgrades, and a more dynamic environment where people are always learning and adapting.
Another significant trend is data connectivity leading to a “technology super body.†Kelly argued that data is the most mobile element in any industry. He compared Ford and Tesla, noting that while Ford produced millions of cars, it lacked the data to understand how customers used them. In contrast, Tesla, as a newer company, has collected vast amounts of driving data—over 1.3 billion kilometers—which makes it a data-driven business. “Data and data connected together make business valuable,†he said. As machines become more interconnected, they will form a massive platform, a “technology super body†that will shape the future of society.
The third trend focuses on the shift from ownership to use rights. “Ownership is no longer as important as it once was,†Kelly pointed out. Examples like Uber, Facebook, and Airbnb show how businesses can thrive without owning physical assets. He envisioned a future where people don’t need to own devices but can access them when needed. “The right to use is better than owning,†he said, suggesting that digital tools will allow people to be more efficient and flexible.
Another trend involves personalized solutions through tracking. With the rise of health monitoring and smart devices, companies can gather vast amounts of data about individuals. However, this level of personalization requires transparency. “If you want privacy, you can’t have full personalization,†Kelly noted. The ability to track behavior and preferences allows for tailored experiences, but it also raises questions about privacy and data ethics.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another key area. Kelly believes AI will soon be embedded in all commodities, acting as a service that everyone can access. “Like electricity, AI will be delivered via cloud services,†he said. This shift could lead to thousands of startups focused on applying AI to specific industries. Regarding employment, he argued that humans and AI won’t be in conflict but rather complement each other. While robots handle efficiency-driven tasks, humans will focus on creative and innovative work.
Virtual reality (VR) is set to become the next big social platform. As the cost of goods decreases, the value of experiences—especially social ones—will increase. VR and mixed reality technologies will enable more immersive interactions, allowing users to engage with digital environments and even characters in ways that feel real. “The future of VR may be the next most popular platform after smartphones,†Kelly suggested.
Collaboration and sharing are also transforming how we create and consume. Platforms like Wikipedia and Facebook demonstrate how large-scale collaboration can produce valuable content. Blockchain technology, he noted, offers new ways to track contributions and reward participants, making cooperation more transparent and efficient.
Screen-based interfaces are changing how we interact with information. Kelly described how screens are becoming more interactive, capable of detecting emotions and tracking attention. This shift is moving search tools away from text-based systems toward image-based ones. With 75% of web content now being visual, new tools are needed to help users navigate and find relevant information quickly.
Questions, he argued, are more valuable than answers. In an age where answers are abundant, the ability to ask the right question is what drives innovation. “A good question leads to two new questions,†he said. Education, he believed, should focus more on teaching people to ask meaningful questions rather than just finding answers.
Finally, Kelly encouraged people to embrace the present moment. “We are only at the beginning of the beginning,†he said. With powerful tools, a huge market, and low costs, now is the best time to innovate. “The greatest products of the next 25 years may not exist yet,†he concluded. The future is still being written, and it’s not too late to make a difference.
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