In a speech to the North Carolina Technology Association, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said computers will become intuitive and know your intentions over the next decade. The Charlotte Observer covered the speech and here is an interesting quote:
"When you type the word “Chicago” into a search engine, it will be able to determine whether you meant the city, the band or the musical based on your Internet history.
Another part of the future is the development of a more natural interface. Users will be able to speak to, touch and gesture at their computers even more."
In another announcement, Microsoft said that their next version of Office 2010 will have a free online version for those willing to watch ads or commercial messages.
I highlight both of these developments, since both of these trends were described in detail in the book Virtual Integrity, as well as predictions surrounding how temptations will accelerate in the workplace via these advertisements.
A central question will become, how will the computer know my values? Who will keep that inventory? Will my beliefs and faith be respected in this new office?
What are your thoughts on these developments?