Okada Akira, senior managing consultant for GBS iX at IBM Japan, notes: "Applying AI to creativity like this is challenging work – analysing the backgrounds of large amounts of phenomena and contexts to identify or pinpoint patterns of inspirations and imaginations. It would be pleasing if AI technology could spread to the public in the domains of ideas and expressions to expand human creative activities."

While we wait, humans are increasingly entrusting many of their decisions to AI, which might supplant our own intelligence; the advent of the singularity will bring changes to our society and lifestyles. Simultaneously, blockchain technology will build new levels of value into our social systems, while advances in biotechnology will have major impacts on food, medicine and the environment. And last but by no means least, we may even turn back the clock and extend our lifespans.