The World in 2035: From Vision to Value

Summary

• Quantum computers are emerging as a powerful technology that may become one of the most influential advancements of mankind by 2035, with potential to generate up to $2 trillion in value for businesses in finance, materials, life sciences, and mobility.
• The boundaries between humans and machines are expected to blur further through better integration of prosthetics with the nervous system, bioartificial organ manufacturing, and improved brain chips to help disabled individuals regain lost senses or mobility.
• Indoor, high-tech vertical farms using AI-driven systems to optimize crop growth year-round offer reduced water usage, land use, pesticides, and emissions compared to traditional farming methods.
• Digital health twins powered by AI and real-time data could model unique biology by 2035 to enable personalized treatments, early disease detection, and proactive wellness plans tailored to genetic makeup and lifestyle.
• Small modular reactors (SMRs) are expected to provide a solution for the U.S. power infrastructure due to their lower cost, faster construction, and diverse applications, despite having 25% to 30% less power output than large nuclear plants.
• AI is expected to significantly reduce timelines and costs in drug discovery and clinical trials, potentially uncovering treatments for cancer and exploring new frontiers in anti-aging and longevity.
• Next-generation AI agents are poised to disrupt the services sector by becoming relatable, smarter, and capable of reasoning in ways that closely resemble human thought, appearing as AI accountants, lawyers, doctors, educators, and travel agents.
• Electric-powered air taxis have been recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration as a new aircraft category, with finalized rules for pilot training and certification in 2024, potentially reducing travel time from Manhattan to JFK Airport to 10 minutes.
• Humanoid robots are set to become a standard feature on the battlefield to reduce human casualties and handle dangerous tasks, with predictions that one-fourth to one-third of the U.S. military could be robotic within 10 to 15 years.
• The space economy is expected to triple to become a $1.8 trillion industry by 2035, expanding beyond foundational services to include data centers in space, lunar mining, missions to Mars, and private space tourism.
• Technological innovation has broken down boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological worlds as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• Companies and governments are prioritizing the development and protection of critical industries, resources, and services to secure strategic resources.
• Changes in global population dynamics will bring about challenges and opportunities due to shifting demographics.
• Consumer preferences, expectations, and behavior are altering business models and corporate strategies as the new consumer emerges.
• Rivalry ultimately drives innovation, improves quality of life, and creates value for consumers and the economy through productive competition.