AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from IEEE Spectrum, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

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According to the IEEE 2030 Technology Megatrends Report, genetic engineering and gene therapy will be used frequently by 2028 to treat various diseases. This prediction relies on advances in artificial intelligence (AI), which is described as general-purpose infrastructure deeply connected to energy and physical systems. The report was developed by 166 experts from 38 countries who identified 30 breakthrough technologies across five megatrends: AI, energy, health, space, and physical AI.

Experts noted that while AI is advancing faster than previous revolutions, it faces constraints like a lack of computing infrastructure and energy sources. The report predicts that within two years, genetic engineering will be used in therapeutic areas, and within five years, disease diagnoses will move from labs to daily medical practice. Additionally, researchers may manufacture simple synthetic proteins to perform specific jobs in the body, such as targeting tumors.

The report also highlights significant challenges in energy and physical AI. Tech infrastructure currently uses an estimated 10 percent of global electricity, with experts predicting energy storage will double in developed countries within two to three years. Physical AI, which includes robots and autonomous vehicles, is expected to see the fastest adoption, shifting from text commands to audio and video instructions within two to three years. Smarter robots are also predicted to cut energy consumption substantially.