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The dystopia of Black Mirror although it might seem a bit far away, It has become much more real than we could have imagined. We have all thought at some point while watching the series, that maybe that will never happen. However, in 2024 many of them are already here, making us reflect on the implications of these advances.
From the first episode in 2011, the series showed us that technology can be dark and disturbing. But now, some of them already form part of our daily life. here you go 10 cases that Black Mirror predicted and they have become reality.
Avatars that “resurrect” the dead
S2, E1: I’ll be right back
After the death of her boyfriend, Martha decides to use a service that digitally recreates her deceased partner based on their interactions on social networks. This replica acts and talks like him, leading to a disturbing emotional dilemma.
Currently, there are applications such as Replica y Surnamewhich allow you to create avatars based on the data that people leave online. Even in Chinaare used digital avatars in cemeteries so family members can interact with digital versions of their deceased loved ones. You can see the video at Youtube.
Avatars in politics
S2, E3: Waldo’s Moment
An animated character named Waldo, managed by a technical team, runs in a political campaign, opening the debate about how technology can alter the political landscape.
In 2024, United Kingdom saw the emergence first “AI candidate” named AI Steve. This avatar interacted with voters, adapting its proposals to the preferences of each individual. It is the beginning of a policy where algorithms can make political decisions, something that seemed like a distant future in 2011.
Drones the size of bees
S3, E6: Hate in the Nation
Robotic bees were created to replace real species that became extinct. However, when these drones are hacked, they begin to be used as weapons.
Researchers at Harvard have already developed tiny drones that imitate bees to help in pollination. Walmart has also worked on drones that pollinate flowers, trying to counteract the decline of bees. Although they are not yet deadly, the use of drones for environmental purposes is already a reality.
Killer robot dogs
T4, E5: Cabeza de metal
A group of people are chased by robot dogs that are designed to eliminate any living being in a post-apocalyptic environment.
Boston Dynamics has created Spot, a robot dog which has been used in a variety of fields, from inspection of dangerous areas to rescues. Although Spot is not a relentless hunter like in the episode, his existence has raised questions about the limits of robotics.
People turned into human batteries
S1, E2: 15 million merits
The characters pedal stationary bicycles to generate energy, accumulating “merits” that allow them to escape a monotonous life.
In some prisons Brazilthe prisoners They pedal stationary bicycles to generate electricity. In exchange for this work, reduce your sentence. Although not as bleak as the episode, the idea that physical labor can be exchanged for merit is already being applied.
Glasses with cameras
S1, E3: Your whole story
People wear glasses that record everything they see. They can rewind and replay their memories, which raises privacy and control-freak issues.
Meta has launched the glasses Ray-Ban Storieswhich allow record from the user’s perspective. In addition, companies like Samsung have already registered patents to develop glasses with similar capabilities. We are closer than we think.
Rate people
S3, E1: Plummet
Society depends on a system in which every social interaction is scored, and your score determines your status and access to certain services.
He Social Credit System in China It is a fact, where citizens are calified by their behavior and the consequences Low scores include restrictions on access to services and mobility. Black Mirror
Immersive virtual reality
T3, E2: Playtest
A man participates in an augmented reality video game that becomes so immersive that it blurs the line between real and virtual.
Advances in virtual reality, such as devices Apple Vision Pro y Meta Quest, They are taking us into ever greater immersion. Although we have not reached the level of terror of Playtestthe border between the real and the virtual is increasingly blurred.
Neural implants
T4, E2: Archangel
A mother installs an implant in her daughter that allows her to control and monitor everything she sees and does, leading to an extreme level of surveillance.
Neuralinkthe company Elon Muskhas already made significant progress in the creation of brain implants. These devices could monitor and manipulate brain signals.
Deliveries in autonomous vehicles
T4, E3: Cocodrilo
An autonomous van delivers pizzas, highlighting a future in which self-driving vehicles handle routine tasks.
Toyota y Pizza Hut They are already working on autonomous vehicles for food delivery. These advances are one more step towards total automation in logistics, as in the chapter.
As in The Simpsonswhich Black Mirror predicted how dystopian science fiction It’s happening much faster than we expected. Today, many of the technologies that seemed unthinkable are already part of our daily lives.
What do you think, are you worried about this technological advance?
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