It is never easy to predict what society and technology will look like in the coming decades, but one futurist used the imaginations of children to come up with ideas. Futurist Brian David Johnson spoke to kids aged 8-13 as part of a study into their vision of life in the 2050s for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). 'The current generation of young minds is nothing like we've seen before', Johnson explained, saying they were born and grew up constantly connected. Every child he spoke to was optimistic about the future, with many showing'jump-out-of-their-seat' levels of excitement about'what is to come' as they reach adulthood. He used the conversations he had with the children and their parents to formulate predictions about the future of smart homes, food and personal virtual assistants. Futurist Brian David Johnson spoke to children aged 8-13 as part of a study into their vision of life in the 2050s for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Three science fiction prototypes explore AI's potential threats to not only our personal and professional lives but also global security.

I'm writing this before Thanksgiving, which I used to hate and now don't -- largely because I no longer spend the day arguing with family. I've been listening to a lot of friends and relatives dread this year's event because of political discussions that are likely to occur, and the equally annoying comments and critiques from those who supported both candidates. I have no doubt that both sides will use fake news, quotes taken out of context, and false facts to make their points to the annoyance of those of us who just want to have a nice big meal and then drop into a food coma for a few happy hours afterward. Perhaps my own most memorable Thanksgiving was going over to my then steady girlfriend's house, having her compare herself to a Playboy playmate, and making the unfortunate comment "you wish," to the glee of her brothers, and effectively ending the relationship. My defense of "trying to fit it," I'm afraid, fell on deaf ears.