According to a report by Ericsson ConsumerLab, respondents believe that about 80 per cent consumers could be using artificial intelligence (AI) simulations in the 2030s for life-altering decisions such as buying houses or stocks, and for making lifestyle changes based on health simulations.

The research from Ericsson ConsumerLab called 10 Hot Consumer Trends 2030s – the AI-Powered Future  captures responses from 6,500 early adopters in 13 cities around the world regarding AI scenarios in the 2030s. According to technology early adopters, movies starring clones of friends, simulating future, personal digital assistants, and AI-driven beauty operations are some of the ways AI is expected to impact everyday life in the 2030s.

As per the report, early adopters also see AI playing a major role in assisted childcare to boost children’s skills and believe AI will play a significant role in securing good employment. The early adopters, traditionally the most passionate about the need to fully embrace new technology, were asked to evaluate 120 digital service ideas across 15 areas, ranging from fashion and entertainment to working life and simulations of their own behaviour.

The results reveal a split among early adopters between those who feel joy, hope and excitement about AI, called AI hopeful in the report, and those who feel fear and anxiety, called AI fearful.

The research shows that more than 60 per cent of even the most ardent AI fans believe they will not have full control of how it will impact their lives in the 2030s. The figure rises to more than 70 per cent for those current early adopters who are more sceptical about the future role of AI.

It also highlighted that about 37 per cent AI hopefuls and 27 per cent AI fearful believe they will retain full control of how AI is used in their own lives by 2030. Just over half of AI hopefuls say they will try to use AI as much as possible, compared to 26 per cent AI fearful, pointing to the likelihood of fragmentation in usage patterns. However, almost all those polled, 95 per cent, believe that at least some aspects of the ten trends will become a reality.

It also flags the possibility of AI becoming so influential in decision making that ignoring certain AI insights could be a key to success. About 58 per cent respondents believe that the innovators of the 2030s will be those who dare to ignore AI’s advice.

The ten trends include:

  • Artificial shoppers- 75 per cent predict AI shopping assistants that screen out advertisements. Just as many also say big technology companies will use these shopping assistants to influence consumer purchases.
  • Generative fashion- In the 2030’s, humans will use plastic surgery to get the right AI-generated beauty standard look, according to 6 in 10.
  • Sentient screenplays- AI cloned friends are set to appear in your generatively created movies. 68 per cent foresee the ability to AI clone their friends to be part of their stories.
  • Human digital twins- AI reduces uncertainty by simulating anything in daily life. 50 per cent think people will simulate their marriages for future changes or divorce.
  • Programmed progeny- AI-assisted childcare promises relief for parents but concerns over loss of human empathy loom large. 74 per cent foresee AI assistants in parenting boosting children’s technical skills but diminish creative/emotional intelligence.
  • Govern by AI- Public AI may improve society but is likely to be challenged by corporate Ais. 72 per cent believe corporate AIs will outsmart societal AIs.
  • Empower-less employees- AI may boost your work performance but also strip it of meaning. 67 per cent believe that AI will be necessary to get good job positions.
  • Data disorder- Regulation or a digital wild west, consumers’ future depends on who controls data. 75 per cent think new regulations will allow citizens to opt out.
  • AI running wild- More interconnected AIs could start developing their own agenda. 59 per cent think future co-existence with AIs could become difficult.
  • Key keepers- 7 in 10 say button clicking, ID card swiping and remembering logins will become unnecessary as AI will handle that.

Commenting on the report, Michael Björn, report author,  and head, research agenda, Ericsson Consumer and IndustryLab, said, “The Ericsson ConsumerLab 10 Hot Consumer Trends report clearly indicates that early adopters expect AI to have a significant role in their future daily life. Consumer expectations are important as this also has implications on network traffic capabilities to handle related future data use per device. Another insight is the concern that early adopters have, including the biggest supporters of AI, about the future control of AI in their personal lives. This shows a need for companies working with AI to address the concerns of consumers as they develop solutions.”