Meet the world of tomorrow: from bioprinted body parts to a space elevator, here is what to look forward to by 2050

Bioprinting body parts, riding an elevator into space, tucking into lab-grown meats and insects, and handing household chores to robot roommates may seem like science fiction, but they are all set to become reality by 2050.

That’s according to ‘Meet Tomorrow’, a new collaboration between leading futurologist Tom Cheesewright, award-winning sci-fi author Alastair Reynolds, concept illustrators Amir Zand and Thomas Dubois, and insurer Zurich, exploring the most exciting breakthroughs set to improve our lives by the middle of the century.

It comes as new research¹ from Zurich reveals that just one in six (17%) UK adults feel optimistic about the future of the world. The majority (63%) of those old enough to remember the turn of the century say they are gloomier now than they were 25 years ago.

When asked about the UK specifically, more than half (56%) of Brits said they feel pessimistic about what lies ahead, with the economy (56%), environment (54%) and healthcare system (47%) emerging as the areas people expect to face the steepest decline in the coming years.

Tom Cheesewright comments:

“It’s become fashionable to bemoan a future dominated by AI, robotics and relentless technological change, but really, we have a lot to look forward to. When you take a step back and look at the progress we’ve made so far in the 21st century, from decoding the human genome to renewable energies becoming the fastest-growing power sources, it’s clear that human ingenuity has the power to outpace pessimism.

“Across every industry, from healthcare and housing to retail and travel, we’re seeing the early signs today of breakthroughs that promise to change our lives for the better. If we back these bold ambitions, harness these innovations, the next 24 years have the potential to be the greatest era of human progress in our long history.”

Five breakthroughs set to change our lives for the better by 2050

1. Bioprinted body parts will be able to replace failing organs

Not only will our healthcare system look radically different, with the shift from treatment to prevention resulting in people living longer, healthier lives, but new technologies will have vastly improved treatment capabilities as well. Ready access to 3D bioprinters will see complex organs like kidneys, livers or even eyes produced using patients’ cells, with zero rejection risks and no waiting times for matching donors.

2. Construction on the first space elevator will be underway

The next frontier of space travel and exploration will see the construction of the world’s first space elevator, a towering structure with the dual purpose of carrying both cargo and passengers into orbit. Quieter, cleaner and less dramatic than a rocket ship, the eventual ascent will take a couple of weeks, offering a sustainable way to escape Earth’s pull, with unparalleled views along the way.

3. Androids and robot roommates will become commonplace

By 2050, robot roommates will have reached a level of utility and fallen to a price point that will make them common, if not ubiquitous, in British homes. Designed to be compact and easy to store when not in use, they will assist with basic household tasks like washing and folding clothes, taking out rubbish and cleaning. With advanced AI, these roommates will go beyond manual labour, offering company to those looking for conversation or collaboration. 28% of UK adults would considering having one of these companions.

4. Lab-grown meats and insects provide new sources of protein

The rate we eat meat will continue to fall, as alternative sources of protein become more common, and the remaining carnivores opt for quality over quantity. Lab-grown meat will be cheap enough, and tasty enough, to be viable for those hoping to reduce meat consumption on ethical grounds. Insects will also become a part of many menus. While we are unlikely to shift to eating them whole anytime soon, in a powdered form, they provide a good source of protein and add a nutty flavour to pasta and bread. A third (32%) of UK adults claim they’d be willing to eat this.

5. The death of the smartphone

It might be hard to imagine now, but we’re standing at the edge of the last era of handheld devices. In the next 25 years, smart glasses will become the dominant tool used for seeing and communicating with the world around us. Screens around the house will also continue shrinking until they are barely noticeable, with TVs becoming as thin as wallpaper, painted onto surfaces without sacrificing a single pixel of ultra-high-resolution clarity.

These predictions, and more, are explored in a new short story by award-winning sci-fi writer Alastair Reynolds, inviting Brits to ‘Meet Tomorrow’. In his utopian vision of the future, protagonist Amaka, an interior designer, is tasked with curating the interior of the world’s first space elevator. A story designed to inspire and excite readers about the opportunities for human progress that lie within reach in our lifetimes.

Alastair Reynolds comments:

“Smartphones, streaming, video calls, digital assistants were all science fiction just 25 years ago at the turn of the millennium, and yet they have all become part of our everyday lives. Change is inevitable, which makes looking forward to the middle of the century a tantalising prospect for any writer.

“Perhaps better than any medium, sci-fi can help people imagine the future, prepare for it, and picture their role in it. My vision for this story was to shine a light on a positive future, inspired by Tom’s predictions, that give readers something to look forward to. I want to show that a better world is possible, and that we must envision it before we can innovate it.”

Zurich’s research uncovered a stark generational shift, with Gen Z now four times more likely to be optimistic about the future than Boomers (37% vs 8%). In fact, across almost every part of society, people aged 18-27 were found to be three to four times more likely to believe the world is getting better, compared to their Boomer counterparts, as young people prepare to take on the future.

Will the following be better in 2050?