Are We Closer to Having Computers Like Star Trek’s Enterprise?

Star Trek, with its iconic starships and technologically advanced computers, has been a symbol of futuristic innovation. However, the original series

did a poor job of predicting how computers would work in reality. By the time DS9 and Voyager rolled around, real-world computers had already surpassed the fictional versions in Star Trek. The only strong point was the early form of voice recognition. Extrapolating from this, one might wonder how much progress we have made in the real world.

Current Progress in Computer Technology

In reality, we are closer to having computers that resemble those in Star Trek than many people realize. When I was a child and Star Trek was first on the air, the technology was still in its infancy. Modern computers today store terabytes of data, which is a massive leap from the kilobytes of the late 1960s. The internet has further extended the base of knowledge, providing millions of terabytes of information. This represents an astronomical increase in storage capacity, even without considering the internet’s vast repository of data.

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Voice Recognition

The idea of ‘talking computers,’ or computers with voice recognition and speech understanding, was an almost futuristic concept in the late 60s. Today, these technologies have made significant advances. The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to science fiction; it is a practical and powerful tool. Programmes can now beat any human player in chess, a task that seemed impossible only a few decades ago. Mr. Spock, a character embodying intelligence and logic, would likely face a computer today that could beat him.

Voiced-based interactions with computers, once a dream, are now a reality. When you make airline reservations, you often interact with a computer 'agent' that can understand and respond to your voice input. While these agents are still limited, the technology is continuously being improved to handle more situations. Many people now use voice-activated assistants like Siri to get quick answers to their questions. For instance, asking ‘When was Frank Sinatra born?’ elicits an immediate and accurate response, demonstrating the advancement in voice recognition and natural language processing.

The Role of Web Sites and Voice Assistants

With so much progress in voice recognition and AI, one might wonder if traditional website answer sites like Quora are becoming obsolete. While sites like Quora are ideal for in-depth, essay-like answers that require detailed explanations, voice-powered assistants can quickly handle simpler questions. The role of these sites is to provide more comprehensive answers that go beyond basic voice commands. However, they both coexist in a symbiotic relationship, with voice assistants supplementing and expanding the reach of these platforms.

Conclusion

While we are not quite at the level of the computers in the Star Trek series, we are indeed much closer than previously thought. The advancements in artificial intelligence, voice recognition, and data storage have brought us closer to the fictional world of Star Trek. The journey to a more advanced technological future continues, with every passing year bringing us closer to the dreams of past generations.