New technologies are the perfect ally to progress towards a golden innovation era. Currently, we are already witnessing how artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data or robotics are changing each industry and how companies are adapting to them so they are not left behind. Every sector is affected, and even Amazon is aware of this revolution 4.0. That may be why Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, hosted Amazon re:MARS (Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics and Space), a new artificial intelligence (AI) event on machine learning, automation, robotics, and space, to learn why and how to apply the latest AI advances.
In this era, with technology increasingly more present, it is not so crazy to think about science fiction as science that has not yet been demonstrated. Nowadays, popular comic and film culture inspires scientists across the world (and the other way around), to make us dream of a world where new technologies enable humans to address current threats: climate change, depletion of resources, economic unbalance, population growth and, why not, human stupidity.
In this era, with technology increasingly more present, it is not so crazy to think about science fiction as science that has not yet been demonstrated
And here is where Iron Man, or rather, Robert Downey Jr., the actor that played Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel universe for the last decade, comes in. The actor and producer was one of the keynote speakers during the opening session of the first Amazon re:MARS. During his speech, not only did he talk about his path with Marvel Cinematic Universe and the evolution of Iron Man's suits: thanks to new technologies and J.A.R.V.I.S. artificial intelligence, the most charismatic and heroic Avenger (Captain America, you will have to forgive me) became more and more essential for the team. He also surprised the world announcing his intention of cleaning up the planet in the next 10 years using new technologies. 'Between robotics and nanotechnology, we could clean up the planet significantly, if not totally, in 10 years", said Downey Jr., recalling that he had been given these insights a few weeks back by a round table of experts.
Robert Downey Jr. surprised the world announcing his intention of cleaning up the planet in the next 10 years using new technologies
It will be done through the Footprint Coalition, an initiative that will search for new technologies to reduce pollution, to be officially launched in April 2020. According to Downey Jr., the objective is to use artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and robotics to clean up the Earth and revert our carbon footprint within one decade.
Although he did not share any specific plans, nor how his new project will achieve its intended goal, he anticipated (and guaranteed) that it will be an organisation committed to using advanced technology for the benefit of the planet. Will this time science fiction beat reality?
