My life in 2054

3 . Back in 1930, one economist predicted that with technological change and improvements in productivity, we’d only be working 15 hours a week by now. But while working hours have ________ by 26%, most of us still average 42.5 hours a week. One of the things he underestimated is the human desire to ________ with our peers.

So when some predicted that automation would create an extra amount of ________ time, needless to say, that didn’t happen. In the 1980s, managers could demand employees under the ________ that jobs could be given to someone else thanks to computerization. The ________ piled on. Overwork has been proven to ________ many diseases and even death. ________we carried on — until COVID-19 came along.

Besides making us work longer hours from home, COVID-19 bas also ________ the move towards the adoption of automated machine. By 2050, some professor predicts that at least 40% of current jobs will be lost to ________.

There are ________. Jobs that involve complex social interactions are all likely to ________ the AI revolution. As are jobs that rely on creativity. The same also goes for________ jobs, due to the large number of different objects and the variety of ways those objects need to be cleaned. Also, robots are unlikely to ________ in the “work” of taking care of children, preparing lunchboxes, etc.

Those whose work falls outside the caring, cleaning or creative field will still work in future, just ________. In about 60% of occupations, a third of the tasks can be automated, meaning changes to the way we work. One study has predicted that over the next 20 years, 7.2 million new jobs will be ________ as a result. So we will work in future: we just don’t know what we’ll be doing yet.

7 . You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. You look young. In 2040, many people can live to be about 150 years old. So at the age of 40, you’re not old at all. And your parents look the same age as you!

You say to your shirt, “Turn red.” It changes from blue to red. In 2040, “smart clothes” can change the color or style as you like.

You walk into the kitchen. You pick up the milk, but you hear the voice, “You shouldn’t drink that!” Your fridge remembers the information about the milk. It knows that the milk is not fresh. In 2040, every household appliance (家用电器) is like your servant.

It’s time to go to work. In 2040, cars drive themselves. Just tell your “smart car” where to go. On the way, you can call a friend with your watch. Such “smart technology” is all around you. So will all these things come true? “All these will come true, and maybe even better.” says a scientist. I am looking forward to the new life.

I’m 50-year-old Li Hua, your future self.

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Yours,

Future Li Hua

Today, we have to use     1     (switch) for our lights, knobs for our appliances, and remote controls for our TVs and air conditioners. In the future, we will be using     2     (advance) technology every day for automatic control of just about everything in our home. The future home will use integrated sensors to tell when you leave home each morning, and then go into an energy-efficient mode all     3     itself.