I've glimpsed the future and it might just work

After pondering what the next big thing in tech could be, Jon Bentley had a conversation that gave him a bright idea

What's the next big thing in tech? It's a subject that's been concerning me quite a bit recently.

I often get asked to predict upcoming developments and, for the last few years, I've been able to answer 'Al', and pose the supplementary question of whether it delivers on its promised potential.

But the saturation coverage given to AI of late has made that answer seem groan-worthily predictable.

AI now feels part of the present rather than the future.

What's the alternative answer? I haven't had much luck trawling the usual suspects. Quantum Computing for example, which utilises the mind-boggling principles of quantum physics to create ultrafast computers that can crack even the most secure passwords. It's not only worrying but hard to explain and the computers are a long way off delivering this, so not much use to me in my quest.

Web 3.0 is even more difficult to explain than quantum computing.