Not too long ago, I wrote articles about Apple’s Commitment to Mental Health and about how Neuralink was approved for Human Brain-Implant Trial Recruitment. I wrote these because of my fascination for the tech world and because, as a member of Gen Z, I am among the generation that grew up with technology. I quite literally grew in parallel to electronics, including all their updates, legal battles, and scientific advancements.
I was born in the year 2000, so whilst I missed the launch of Google by a mere two years, I saw the evolution of mobile phones from hand-bricks to smart devices, I was one of the first guinea pigs to take their exams on laptops instead of paper and pen, and am now increasingly surrounded by the use of AI in my every-day life. If you thought Siri and Alexa were advanced, wait till you hear this...
Put simply, technology is advancing at a faster rate than anyone expected, driven by rapid progress in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other cutting-edge domains. For example, generative AI (like Google's Gemini models) has seen a surge in development and investment, with applications that now outperform human experts in certain benchmarks and dramatically improve capabilities like programming and scientific research, within ethical reason. The pace of these advancements is reshaping industries, with AI being integrated into everything from healthcare to agriculture and route optimisation on a global scale. And it's not even creating new content yet, it's just mimicking and echoing the large sea of data that's already out there!
But AI isn't the only field seeing this explosive growth. Other areas like quantum computing, renewable energy technologies, and bioengineering are pushing boundaries, transforming sectors like energy and medicine faster than anticipated. And not to mention its radical impact on research. AI and machine learning can be tools which allow researchers to analyse vast datasets that would have been impossible to process even a decade ago.
For me, it's wild to think about how fast technology is advancing these days. If you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, human progress used to take so much longer. It took us thousands of years to go from simple tools to things like farming and writing. But in the last century alone, we’ve gone from figuring out flight to landing on the moon, and from inventing smartphones to the rapid and widespread integration of AI that can almost "think" for itself. Safe to say that technologically speaking, we’re living in a time of exponential growth. And we're only just starting to understand how AI could reshape the world as we know it.
So, you might be asking yourself, what comes next? Well, we’re already seeing brain implants being tested (yes, you guessed it: Neuralink), Apple just announced that their AirPods Pro will contribute to hearing health by doubling as a hearing aid, and AI diagnosing diseases has started to become more accurate and efficient than human doctors in some extreme cases.
It feels like the lines of what's possible are starting to blur.
As technology keeps evolving, we’ve got to ask ourselves: where does this all lead? Does it ever slow down, or are we just scratching the surface of what’s possible? Sources like the World Economic Forum, Google DeepMind, and McKinsey & Company all point to the same conclusion: the pace of innovation is rapidly increasing. We're in a race with our own technological creations, and it's both exciting and a little overwhelming to think about where we’re headed.
When I was a kid, I often thought about future technology and what it would look like. A tool that could help you tidy your room? A computer that would do your homework for you? A flying car? Maybe even time-travel… and it turns out, those are far from out-of-reach. What once seemed like wild imagination is edging closer to reality.
From a community perspective, tech has transformed how we connect and engage with each other. Social media, instant messaging, and video calls have reshaped relationships, enabling real-time conversations with people across the world. As I mentioned in my article depicting The Life of a Third Culture Kid, creations like FaceTime have allowed me to stay connected with my loved ones across the globe, bridging gaps of time and distance, and making it feel like I’m just next door.
From a mental health and wellbeing perspective technology has had a profound impact, both positive and negative. On the one hand, apps and platforms for meditation, mindfulness, and therapy have become more accessible than ever, giving people tools to manage stress and anxiety. Virtual therapy sessions, mental health forums, and digital communities have made professional support available for those who might not have had it otherwise. It’s incredible how far we’ve come in using tech to enhance mental wellbeing.
But, like with all things, there’s a flip side. The same technology that connects us can also isolate us. Social media, for instance, often amplifies feelings of inadequacy, comparison, and loneliness. The constant bombardment of information and stimulation from our devices can also lead to digital burnout. So, as we move forward, it’s clear that we will need to be even more conscious of how we engage with technology, balancing its benefits with its drawbacks. I think it will be the key to ensuring it enhances our well-being rather than diminishes it. We don’t want to be living a lonely life amongst robots now, do we?
In conclusion, it’s pretty clear that technology is advancing faster than we ever imagined. It’s not just changing how we communicate or how we engage with our communities; it’s transforming everything — from how we understand ourselves to how we go about our daily lives. AI, machine learning, brain implants — things we used to think were just sci-fi dreams are suddenly becoming a not-so-distant reality.
But as cool as all this tech is, it comes with a lot of questions. How do we make sure that while tech is helping us, it’s not overwhelming us? And in the case of AI, how do we ensure that it won't take over as the main form of connection? Social media bonds us, sure, but it also brings feelings of isolation and burnout. We’ve got apps that help manage anxiety, but at the same time, our devices can be a source of constant stress. The balance between these benefits and drawbacks is something we need to figure out as we move forward. Not to mention all the legal and ethical elements that come with these conversations (note to reader: we would be here all day if I went into that).
So where do we go from here? Honestly, it feels like we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. The challenge is making sure that, in all this excitement, we use technology in ways that make life better — not just more convenient, but healthier and more connected. The future is full of potential, but it's up to us to ensure that all these advancements really serve to improve our lives and well-being.
So, dear reader, what do you think — are we ready for what comes next?