Tech experts rank cloud, AI, and 5G among technologies that will be important in 50 years

Consumers and tech experts are both concerned about the role technology will play in the next 50 years and hopeful that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and connection speeds will make life safer, according to Intel's recently released Next 50 study.

Intel partnered with research firm PSB, speaking to 1,000 consumers and 102 "tech elites" about a variety of topics related to technology, its daily use, and what the future may hold for our relationship with it.

For tech experts, emerging technologies like 5G, cloud computing, and AI were ranked among the most important for the next 50 years, the report found. Meanwhile, consumers ranked smartphones, computers, and smart home technology at the top of the list.

Consumers are eager for more technology to be introduced to their world, but have reservations about its effect on modern life, the report found. More than half of those who responded to the survey said they use technology primarily to stay in touch with loved ones, but 56% said they felt overdependent on it, and thought it was drawing them farther away from the people they cared for.

But reservations dissipated when the survey discussed AI and future enhancements to daily life. They found that parents, specifically fathers, are hoping for a future where AI-backed household products can handle the menial duties of the day.

"51 percent of parents expect AI to increase their quality of life by enhancing and automating everyday tasks, compared to just 38 percent of respondents without kids," Intel said. "Parents are more excited than non-parents over AI's potential to assist with human tasks (46 percent versus 39 percent of non-parents) and predict their needs (42 percent versus 30 percent of non-parents)."

They found that surprisingly, only 18% of consumers said technology is used "heavily" to manage their homes. On the flip side, 69% think they eventually will do so within the next 50 years. Millennials are particularly hopeful that 5G will make internet speeds faster and connections clearer.

Intel also found that consumers struggled to keep up with the latest technology but were happy with the way smartphones and laptops helped in terms of connecting to family members and friends or getting business done.