How Will Our Live Dramatically Change in 20 Years?

Udo Gollub, the CEO of 17 Minute Languages, wrote a Facebook post about his key learnings at the Singularity University summit. LinkedIn user David Delahunty wrote up a summary of the post.

In the post, Gollub says that by 2030, computers will be more intelligent than humans. Therefore, all industries are facing drastic changes.

Gollub says that he believes software will disrupt most traditional industries in the next five to ten years. He uses Uber as an example, saying “Uber is just a software tool, they don’t own any cars, and are the biggest taxi company in the world.” Similarly, Airbnb does not own any properties, but is one of the biggest hotel companies in the world.

Gollub says that artificial intelligence has become exponentially better at understanding the world. People do not need humans for the things they used to need, such as lawyers. He says that because of IBM Watson, you can get legal advice for basic things within seconds, within 90 percent accuracy — compared to 70 percent accuracy done by humans.

Because of this, Gollub says anyone studying law should stop immediately. He predicts there will be 90 percent fewer lawyers in the future, and that only specialists with remain.

He also believes that the car industry is going to change drastically. Electric cars will become mainstream around 2020. He says that kids of the future will not need a driver’s license or ever own a car.

Real estate will also change as the vehicle industry and commuting changes. People will want to live further away in more beautiful neighborhoods. Solar energy will also become more popular, and “with cheap electricity comes cheap and abundant water.”

Gollub also believes 3D printing will change the game. You will be able to 3D print shoes at home. Airlines are printing airplane parts and in China, they already 3D printed and built a complete 6-story office building. He believes that by 2027, 10 percent of everything that’s being produced will be 3D printed.

Finally, even education will change. The adoption of smartphones worldwide means, according to Gollub, that “everyone has the same access to world class education.”