What would it have been like to be an early explorer encountering a new land. From high above on the mountain top we see fields, forests and valleys in the distance but have no idea what rewards or challenges we will encounter. Every explorer has likely shared the same experience – a sense of accomplishment at reaching the pinnacle and a realization that journey has just begun. I have this same feeling when I think about technological innovation. Let’s consider computers. Computers are simple. They are ones and zeros, on and off, and simple operands. They are finite state machines which perform calculations at a very basic level. But what truly sets them apart—and makes them transformational—is speed.
How long does it take you to flip a light switch? Now imagine a computer flipping that same switch. It can do this millions of times in the fraction of a second it takes you to do it once. Speed kills. And when you aggregate this speed at scale, it changes everything.
Think about a screen with a million pixels. Each pixel is either on or off—seemingly simple. But when controlled in the right order, those millions of pixels create the Mona Lisa. We won’t dive into the depths of bits, microcode, machine code, compilers or even discuss higher-level languages and concepts like artificial intelligence however all of these layers and their success, in fact these existence is based upon one thing. At the heart of it all is speed, and speed is the ultimate weapon. (Note: In calculations speed and scale are interchangeable)
From Machines to the Multiverse
Now let’s take this idea of speed and scale and view it from a new perspective: the multiverse. What is the multiverse? Conceptually, it’s the collection of all decisions that could ever be made and their possible outcomes. Imagine this: What does the version of you look like in every possible universe? What if you could explore the path of every choice you’ve ever made, mapped out in vivid detail?
Rather than guessing or imagining, what if a digital twin—an virtual copy of you—could do this for you? Imagine this twin replicating every decision you’ve ever made and projecting the outcomes across an infinite web of possibilities. Now scale it up (Remember the “Trouble with Tribbles”?). What if we could use computing power to accelerate the span of all these decisions? What if, in a single day of calculations, your digital twin could create a roadmap for your life showing how to become the best version of yourself across all possible universes?
Infinite Possibilities to Optimized Outcomes
This isn’t science fiction—it’s a very real possibility. Digital twins already exist in industries like manufacturing and healthcare, but what if they were applied to our individual lives? Furthermore, what if your digital twin could interact with every other digital twin in existence? (Note: There is extensive writing we could do on the benefits that a digital twin could provide us to see around the corner.. but that is a broader topic).
If every person on Earth had access to a personalized roadmap and guidance to reach their full potential, what would happen?
The Takeaway
Computers, and fundamental any technology, will continue to evolve. You can only truly evaluate the impact of a technology based upon the change it creates. We see the future out ahead of us, but like the explorer as they have reached the peak and look out into a vast unknown, we don’t know what we will find. We are now entering a new age of exploration – personal exploration and grow. If we could all become the best version of ourselves, what would our world look like? The possibilities are limitless—and the future is waiting.