6 technological events that marked 2024
2024 was a landmark year for democratic processes worldwide, with important elections such as the record-breaking one in India and the highly publicized presidential election in the United States.
Emerging technologies, particularly AI, played an unprecedented role in shaping these electoral landscapes. Campaign teams used artificial intelligence for voter analysis and engagement, developing sophisticated outreach strategies and real-time response systems.
However, this integration also brought new challenges, as election authorities and tech companies worked to address concerns regarding deepfakes and automated misinformation.
The year demonstrated how AI tools can both improve democratic participation through better voter engagement and create new challenges in maintaining electoral integrity.
The war of the future: technology on the Battlefields of Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine became the most technologically advanced conflict in human history, characterized by the use of drones, robotic dogs, and cyber warfare.
Additionally, we saw NGOs using facial recognition technology to identify perpetrators of war crimes, and new types of hypersonic missiles being employed for the first time in combat.
Incredible discoveries and advances in sustainable technologies
Perhaps the most urgent challenge faced by technologists in 2024 was developing real solutions for the climate emergency. One field that saw significant advancements was carbon capture technologies, such as the microbial solution demonstrated by researchers this year. Along with new developments in battery storage, renewable energy, and electrocaloric cooling – which could pave the way for more energy-efficient cooling – important progress continues to be made.
Technology beyond the final frontier
As scientists and engineers continue to work on the human colonization of Mars, perhaps the most impressive space technology achievement of 2024 was the successful “rescue” of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy rocket.
After its reentry into Earth's atmosphere, the 146-meter-high “Mechazilla” tower arms were used to stabilize and land the rocket.
In other space news, this year India joined the U.S., Russia, and China as the fourth country to land on the Moon.
Quantum computing records broken
While work progressed on applying quantum computing to everyday tasks and applications, laboratory records were once again broken with unprecedented performance levels. The H2-1 computer, built by Quantinuum, surpassed the previous record set by Google's Sycamore platform by more than 100 times.
Although quantum computing isn't useful for all types of applications, it has the potential to revolutionize fields like optimization and cryptography, where it can perform complex computational tasks hundreds of millions of times faster.
First T-Cell therapy for treating solid tumors receives FDA approval
Notable advances in biotechnology in 2024 included the first FDA approval for a personalized immunotherapy treatment aimed at T cells, designed to help the body's immune system fight solid tumor cells. This genetically modified cell therapy, called Tecelra, received accelerated approval after initial clinical trials showed it was effective in reducing tumors in 44% of patients.
As we reflect on the technological milestones of 2024, it is clear that we are living in a period of unprecedented innovation and transformation. While these developments hold immense promise – from revolutionary cancer treatments to sustainable energy solutions – they also present new challenges that society must navigate carefully. Looking ahead to 2025, the pace of technological advancement shows no signs of slowing down, suggesting we are only at the beginning of a transformative decade in human history.
Source: Forbes Tech
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