ARMONK, NY – IBM unveiled the sixth annual “IBM 5 in 5" – a list of innovations that have the potential to change the way people work, live and interact during the next five years, based on market and societal trends, as well as emerging technologies: 

1. People power will come to life.

Advances in renewable energy technology will allow individuals to collect kinetic energy that now goes to waste, and use it to help power homes, offices and cities, says IBM.

Walking, jogging, bicycling, the heat from your computer, water flowing through pipes have the potential to create power.
IBM scientists in Ireland are looking at ways to understand and minimize the environmental impact of converting ocean wave energy into electricity.

2. You will never need a password again.

Your biological makeup will become the key to safeguarding your individual identity, says the firm. 

You will no longer need to create, track or remember multiple passwords for various log-ins. You will be able to withdraw money from an ATM by speaking your name or looking into a tiny sensor that can recognize the unique patterns in the retina of your eye. By doing the same, you will be able to check your account balance on your mobile phone or tablet, according to IBM.

Biometric data – facial definitions, retinal scans and voice files – will be composited through software to build your DNA unique online password.

3. Mind reading is no longer science fiction.

IBM scientists are among those researching how to link your brain to your devices, such as a computer or a smartphone. If you just need to think about calling someone, it happens, or you can control the cursor on a computer screen just by thinking about where you want to move it. 

Scientists in the field of bioinformatics have designed headsets with advanced sensors to read electrical brain activity that can recognize facial expressions, excitement and concentration levels, and thoughts of a person without them physically taking any actions.

Within 5 years, we will begin to see early applications of this technology in the gaming and entertainment industry. Furthermore, doctors could use the technology to test brain patterns, possibly even assist in rehabilitation from strokes and to help in understanding brain disorders, such as autism, says IBM.

4. The digital divide will cease to exist.

In five years, the gap between information haves and have-nots will narrow considerably due to advances in mobile technology.

In five years, there will be 5.6 billion mobile devices sold, which means 80% of the current global population will each have a mobile device, says the company.

Growing communities will be able to use mobile technology to provide access to essential information and better serve people with new solutions and business models such as mobile commerce and remote healthcare.

5. Junk mail will become priority mail.

In five years, unsolicited advertisements may feel so personalized and relevant that it may seem spam is dead. Also, spam filters will be so precise you’ll never be bothered by unwanted sales pitches again.

IBM is developing technology that uses real-time analytics to make sense and integrate data from across all the facets of your life, such as your social networks and online preferences, to present and recommend information that is only useful to you.