30 years ago Tomorrow's World predicted 2025 - how did it do?

In 1995, the BBC aired an episode of Tomorrow's World that made predictions about what life would be like in 2025. The show featured the renowned scientist Professor Stephen Hawking, who stated, 'By 2025 we can expect big changes. ' The team behind the program proposed a variety of futuristic innovations, including holographic surgeries and a special gel to manage space debris. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, we can evaluate how accurate these predictions were. One of the more dramatic forecasts was the occurrence of 'Cyberspace Riots' in 2005. The Tomorrow's World team believed that the rise of the internet would lead to significant unrest, as powerful corporations and banks would take control of online spaces, creating a 'supernet' that would restrict access. They anticipated that this would result in hacking, viruses, and ultimately riots. However, while the internet has remained largely open, the actions of hackers have indeed caused problems for many individuals and organizations. The show did not foresee the critical importance of cybersecurity, which has become a major focus for governments and businesses alike. Another intriguing prediction was the emergence of asteroid mining and the dangers posed by space junk. Tomorrow's World speculated that mining asteroids for precious metals would become a profitable industry, while also warning that space debris would pose a significant risk to astronauts. They suggested a solution in the form of a gigantic foam gel designed to slow down debris. In reality, while the issue of space junk is very real, the anticipated foam gel has not materialized, nor has a space mining industry developed yet. However, some futurists remain optimistic about the potential for asteroid mining in the future, citing the vast resources that could be available. The show also envisioned a future where robots would perform surgeries under the guidance of remote surgeons. They predicted that by 2004, a law would require UK hospitals to publish success rates for surgeons, leading to a scenario where top surgeons would operate on patients via holograms and special gloves. While robotic surgeries do exist today, they are not quite as advanced as the show imagined. In one memorable segment, a man was depicted speaking to a floating holographic head that emerged from a smart speaker. Although we have smart speakers today, they do not resemble the futuristic vision presented in the show. The program also explored the future of banking, featuring a woman who visited a bank and withdrew money using a chip implanted in her arm. While banking has indeed become more automated, the use of microchips in the body has not become commonplace. Instead, technologies like fingerprint and facial recognition have gained popularity. Reflecting on the predictions, Monty Don, one of the presenters from the original show, expressed his thoughts on the future of the environment. He had predicted a significant restoration of British woodlands and the return of species like the brown bear. Now, he believes that younger generations are more aware of climate change and will likely grow more of their own food in the coming decades. Vivienne Parry, another presenter, reminisced about the filming process and the limitations of the technology at the time. She has since been involved in genomic research and noted that some of the predictions regarding genetics have come to fruition. As we look ahead, futurists like Tracey Follows believe that technology will continue to evolve, leading to a future where people are more interconnected through technology. By 2055, she envisions a world where individuals can share ideas simply by thinking about them. Tom Cheesewright, another futurist, is excited about advancements in materials science and bioengineering, which could address significant global challenges such as clean water and food security. So, what do you think the world will look like in 30 years? It is difficult to predict, but as Professor Hawking wisely noted, 'Some of these changes are very exciting, and some are alarming. ' Whatever the future holds, it is sure to be different from what we expect.