1. Democratic institutions globally continue to be tested by rising populism and the spread of misinformation. Nationalism grows, powered by internet propaganda
2. Rising corporate concentration and market power, especially in internet technology, lead to noticeable increase in inequality without growing economy long-term (investors/employees in big tech reap all profits)
3. A minor social/technological movement for preserving information integrity / credentialing starts and is monetized by new companies
4. Universities continue the trend of being software engineer farms. Research funding continues to plateau
5. Video games / interactive digital experiences take off, especially social ones inspired by Fortnite. Someone creates a platform and a marketplace, makes developing and publishing games very, very, very easy, (easier than unity and unreal4) and begins reaping the reward
6. Hopefully, there is more wirelessly powered e-ink paper around. But I wouldn't bet on it yet. Science fiction
7. AI fizzles. Big Data mining and targeted digital business persists.
8. Cyberwarfare grows. Big tech accidentally becomes national security issue
9. GDPR comes to USA late in the decade, lagging way behind Europe. Major battle
10. Amazon grows even bigger. Beyond Meats/Impossible/equivalent become major food distributor, competing with Sysco
11. Pay by phone/mobile device takes off
12. Softbank-funded companies, suffer minor collapses. Uber, Lyft, shrink. Entire portfolio pulls back. Loss of many temporary/gig jobs. Enough economic footprint to cause minor dip in stock market. More private investment in safe startups. More corporate bonds? long-term investment continues to stagnate.
2. Rising corporate concentration and market power, especially in internet technology, lead to noticeable increase in inequality without growing economy long-term (investors/employees in big tech reap all profits)
3. A minor social/technological movement for preserving information integrity / credentialing starts and is monetized by new companies
4. Universities continue the trend of being software engineer farms. Research funding continues to plateau
5. Video games / interactive digital experiences take off, especially social ones inspired by Fortnite. Someone creates a platform and a marketplace, makes developing and publishing games very, very, very easy, (easier than unity and unreal4) and begins reaping the reward
6. Hopefully, there is more wirelessly powered e-ink paper around. But I wouldn't bet on it yet. Science fiction
7. AI fizzles. Big Data mining and targeted digital business persists.
8. Cyberwarfare grows. Big tech accidentally becomes national security issue
9. GDPR comes to USA late in the decade, lagging way behind Europe. Major battle
10. Amazon grows even bigger. Beyond Meats/Impossible/equivalent become major food distributor, competing with Sysco
11. Pay by phone/mobile device takes off
12. Softbank-funded companies, suffer minor collapses. Uber, Lyft, shrink. Entire portfolio pulls back. Loss of many temporary/gig jobs. Enough economic footprint to cause minor dip in stock market. More private investment in safe startups. More corporate bonds? long-term investment continues to stagnate.
13. Generally not too much will change