REWIND 2024 TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

1.  QUANTUM COMPUTING

Quantum computing involves computers using quantum mechanics to solve problems in physics and mathematics. People have made many important milestones in this field by transforming finance and healthcare. The Willow Chip seeks to reduce errors as the amount of data to compute increases. Microsoft and Quantinuum had extensively developed in detecting mistakes. IBM Quantum built a new quantum data center, paving the way for reduced errors and faster performance.

2.  AI AND MACHINE LEARNING

Artificial Intelligence is intelligence of machines capable of simulating and outperforming human intelligence. Machine learning is a type of AI that allows computers to learn from their data and improve on their own without being programmed. Some of the revolutionary advancements made here include AI-driven cybersecurity, conversational AI, Autonomous vehicles and Robotics. AI-driven healthcare has transformed the industry by providing faster discovery of medicines, better diagnosis, as well as AI-driven therapy. Conversational AI has paved the way for easier conversing with AI, as it allows users to use their day-to-day language. Autonomous vehicles and Robotics can help human workers with working in hazardous conditions, and repetitive jobs.

3.  CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity is the protection of systems from threats leading to unauthorized access to information, damage to software, and malware. The evolution of Cloud Security has paved the way for Identity and Access Management, which is the practice of controlling a user’s resources. Multi-factor authentication has had a significant boost as of 2024. It involves users to provide more than one form of identification. This makes it harder for attackers to infiltrate as they need to know more than the user’s password.

4.  GREEN TECHNOLOGY

This refers to any kind of technology designed to shape the environment in a positive manner. Nowadays, with climate change being imminent, green technology is important now more than ever before. Perovskite solar cells, which are thin- film devices that capture energy from the sun’s rays, has been a game-changer that transforms solar energy generation by increasing efficiency and durability over traditional solar panels. Carbon capture and Storage, a methodology involving absorbing carbon dioxide emissions from an industry and storing it to create a synthetic fuel, is rapidly growing due to growing concern of excessive carbon emissions present in the atmosphere.

5.   BLOCK CHAIN

A block chain is a decentralized platform that allows secure and transparent storing and sharing of data across an organization. It is integral in healthcare, financial services, and governments. As of 2024, this technology is not just the foundation of cryptocurrencies; it has steadily improved businesses and governments worldwide, transforming the global economy. Block Chain in Supply Chain Management involves using a block chain’s decentralized and secure ledger technology within a supply chain. When a block chain is used within a supply chain, it digitalizes physical assets and offers real, verifiable, and immutable data to consumers as well as people within the supply chain.

6.  EDGE COMPUTING

Edge computing is an IT architecture that moves information processing and storage closer to the system that created the information, which increases the speed of information. The data is generated on edge devices. Edge servers process and analyze the data generated. The Edge Analytics use AI and ML to extract the data and further refine it. Autonomous vehicles use edge computing to gather data from sensors for navigation. Edge computing is also used in entertainment to reduce latency to increase the quality of the cinema. It is also used in the healthcare sector as doctors can get accurate information on a patient’s health, whereas in some cases, the speed of information can save a person’s life.

7.  EXTENDED REALITY

Extended reality is a common term which describes Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality. It can involve a combination of physical as well as digital object in a simulated environment. It is used in retail (such as in Amazon), where we can virtually try products before we use them. Extended reality is also used for gaming, allowing players to have immersive experiences, thereby decreasing the difference between real and virtual worlds.

8.  REUSABLE ROCKETS

Reusable rockets, rockets which can be launched multiple times, has the potential to transform space exploration by reducing mission costs and environmental impact. Companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have successfully implemented this technology. In August 2024, India launched its first reusable rocket RHUMI-1, which contained 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites, to study climate change and global warming. Launched in January 2024, SpaceX’s Axiom Mission 3 sought to carry astronauts to the International Space Station on a Falcon 9, to study microgravity.

9.  ELECTRIC PROPULSION

Electric Propulsion involves the use of electricity to expel charged particles to generate thrust. This sees the use of nuclear reactors to charge ions and then use electricity for propulsion. It is suitable for use in satellites, where thrust will build up gradually, but steadily. NASA and ISRO are currently developing this technology to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

10.     LUNAR EXPLORATION

Lunar exploration, driven by the interest to develop new technologies and to preserve the existing human civilization, has been an important priority worldwide as of 2024. NASA’s Artemis II seeks to do just that; to send astronauts to the Moon once again, but this time, for long-term presence on its surface. In May 2024, China’s Change 6 rocket launched to explore the moon’s South Pole.

“Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought”

– Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi. 

In summary, the quote inspires us to develop the ability to think differently, question norms, and innovate by finding extraordinary solutions in ordinary circumstances. Overall, 2024 has been a year marked by groundbreaking advancements across various fields, with the potential to significantly alter the way we live, work, and interact with technology.

By: R.Rakshad

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