Today, I thought of being a bit more creative! and as a result…
If you consider the last 2 decades in the software industry – from the early days of desktop monoliths to the mobile apps explosion it was all about building Apps, Websites, and churning out code that always runs behind a glass screen…
But looking at where things are heading with AI… I can tell you that the “screen era” is no more… We are witnessing the moment where smart code finally merges with mechanical bodies, giving the “brain” of our software the hands and feet it needs to step out of the screen and into our physical world. We’re about to see software break out of your phone and start moving around in the real world.
The Transition
I see that the real future isn’t a better app; it’s software that can actually grab a cup of coffee or organize a shelf. We are moving into a decade where software gets physical. Instead of just showing you the weather on screen, the code will be “living” in machines that do the heavy lifting – performing tasks with a level of niche skill that’s honestly a bit staggering.
Form Factor Economics
Now, do not make the mistake by visualizing a world full of shiny, human-shaped metal people as we see in the Sci-Fi movies. From what I’ve seen behind the scenes, that’s just not practical or cost-effective.
Instead, expect robots of all shapes and sizes, mostly built for one or more specific jobs / Tasks. But these are not the pre-programmed factory robots that you saw all these years. These are intelligent machines that would co-exist with you in your every day life. You’ll see them everywhere – at your local pharmacy, the grocery store, or even your favorite hair salon. They’ll be small, specialized, and very efficient. In fact, I’m betting that in the near future, there will be more robots on this planet than there are people.
Have you Ever Imagined Installing Skill sets…
The coolest part about this shift is how these machines will “learn.” I’ve always viewed a computer as a blank slate, and these new robots are no different.
Think about how you install a game or a budget tracker app on your phone today. In a few years, we’ll do that with physical skills. If you need your robot to be an accountant for the afternoon, you just load the trained “Accountant” AI model / skill set. If you want it to cook a five-star dinner, you swap that out for a “Chef” skill set. This is go-in to be really disruptive… These robots doesn’t need years of school; it just needs the right update. It’s a complete shift in how we think about work and expertise.
To sum it up…
We’re certainly moving from “there’s an app for that” to “there’s a bot for that.”
- Software is moving from your screen into the real world “Getting Physical”…
- Wherever you look, specialized robots will soon be common sights in shops, cafes and anywhere you name…
- You’ll just download / install the skills you need for the day – Specialized skillsets at your finger tips on demand.
The future isn’t about staring at your phone any more… It’s about the software stepping out to help you get things done in the real world.
Images via Stock Photos
