In these challenging times, it can be difficult to be optimistic about the future. Wars, the escalating climate crisis, and current political and economic developments weigh heavily on our minds. However, we only have this one future, so we must continue and address what is within our power.
The MIT Technology Review has been published at MIT near Boston for 125 years. The German edition has been available for 21 years. The goal of this publication is to make science and technology understandable to as many people as possible. This understanding serves as a foundation for making better decisions for our future. In these challenging times, we aim to contribute to this understanding.
As we approach the end of the year, we want to inspire excitement for the future. What will be important in the coming years and decades, and why?
The most significant issue of our time is the climate crisis. In 2024, the average temperature on our planet will exceed the 1.5-degree threshold for the first time, higher than the average between 1850 and 1900. Meanwhile, emissions continue to rise, which is not a promising outlook.
How do we address this issue?
What does the future of raw material supply look like? Are there enough materials available to transform the economy and society? The example of the metal neodymium shows how important the concept of a circular economy will become in this century.
Regarding the cross-sectional technology of artificial intelligence, the question arises: What will the next few years bring? Will more training data and increasingly larger models lead to better AI, or is this path a dead end? What political debates will shape the further development of perhaps the most important technology of the 21st century?
Despite global challenges, there is a research area focused specifically on the human individual: longevity research. Billions are being invested in this field to live longer and stay healthy longer. Will we live to 100 or 120 years in this century?
Other highlights of this issue include:
- Wind energy: Should wind turbines be shut down for the sake of eagles and other wildlife?
- Nuclear fusion: An interview with the director-general of the ITER fusion reactor
- Microbiome: How knowledge of billions of bacteria provides new approaches to fighting diseases
- Ukraine war: How a radio specialist is shaping warfare
- Mobility: The commuter bike of the future
The new issue of MIT Technology Review 1/2025 has been available since December 20th in well-stocked magazine stores and can be ordered in print or PDF format from the Heise Shop.