Technology for the Future
1. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), usually simply called neural networks (NNs) or
neural nets, are computing systems inspired by the biological neural networks that
constitute animal brains.
Because of their ability to reproduce and model nonlinear processes, artificial
neural networks have found applications in many disciplines. Application areas
include system identification and control (vehicle control, trajectory prediction,
process control, natural resource management), quantum chemistry, general game
playing, pattern recognition (radar systems, face identification, signal classification,
3D reconstruction, object recognition and more), sensor data analysis, sequence
recognition (gesture, speech, handwritten and printed text recognition), medical
diagnosis, finance (e.g. automated trading systems), data mining, visualisation,
machine translation, social network filtering and e-mail spam filtering.
2. Gene Editing: CRISPR-Cas9
It uses a specially designed RNA molecule to guide an enzyme called Cas9 to a
specific sequence of DNA.
Cas9 then cuts the strands of DNA at that point
and removes a small piece, causing a gap in the
DNA where a new piece of DNA can be added.
The development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome
editing technique was recognized by the Nobel
Prize in Chemistry in 2020 which was awarded to
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna.
To date, CRISPR-Cas9 has been commonly used
to create gene editing in plants, animal, and
human samples. This technique is widely used in
various scientific fields, including medical science
and therapeutics, as well as plant and animal
sciences
This will innovate the way diseases and genetic disorders can be treated.
Technology for the Future
3. Neural interfaces, brain-computer interfaces and other devices that blur the lines
between mind and machine have extraordinary potential.
These technologies could transform medicine and fundamentally change how we
interact with technology and each other. At the same time, neural interfaces raise
critical ethical concerns over issues such as privacy, autonomy, human rights and
equality of access.
How are neural and brain computer interfaces currently used?
● Current technologies and applications include:
● Brain implants to treat Parkinson’s disease and tremor;
● Electrical foot stimulators to aid stroke recovery;
● Cochlear implants to convey sounds to people with hearing loss;
● Brain computer interfaces, typically EEG (electroencephalography) headsets,
used by gamers to control digital objects;
● Transcranial stimulation used to boost memory or concentration.
How could neural and brain computer interfaces be used in the future?
● Potential future applications may include:
● ‘Typing by brain’ and use of a ‘mental mouse’ to control computers and
devices;
● Direct brain-to-brain communication, whether simple impulses or complex
thoughts;
● Wider medical applications, such as for Alzheimer’s Disease and mental
health conditions;
● Monitoring of brain activity to support health, safety and security;
● Augmentation of human memory, concentration and learning.