Bill Gates must have a time machine as his predictions for the future 15 years ago are spot on
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Unless you have a time machine, predicting everything about the future is pretty much impossible.
But it seems like Microsoft founder Bill Gates might have been living his own Back to the Future adventure alongside his role as a tech visionary.
Back in 1999, Gates made some predictions about what the future would look like, and while some seemed far-fetched at the time, a surprising number of them have actually come true.
In fact, he made 15 predictions that have since become reality.
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Price comparison sites
Around 25 years ago, Gates predicted that "automated price comparison services" would become a reality, letting people easily compare product prices across different websites.
He said, "Automated price comparison services will be developed, allowing people to see prices across multiple websites, making it effortless to find the cheapest product for all industries."
Now, with sites like Google Products, we can see this has certainly come true.
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Smartphones
Our smartphones are usually the first thing we grab in the morning and the last thing we put down at night.
Back in 1999, mobile phones were around, but they couldn’t do half the things we rely on them for today.
Gates saw a bright future for smartphones
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Gates predicted, "People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are.
"They will be able to check the news, see flights they have booked, get information from financial markets, and do just about anything else on these devices."
Virtual assistance
Gates also predicted the rise of automated helpers in our homes. While he didn’t foresee Alexa or Google Home specifically, he did say something similar would emerge.
"They will connect and sync all your devices in a smart way, whether they are at home or in the office, and allow them to exchange data," Gates said.
Sounds a lot like our modern smart homes, right?
Online finance
Remember when going to the bank to handle your finances was a regular part of life? Those days are long gone, thanks to online banking.
Gates predicted this shift, saying, "People will pay their bills, take care of their finances, and communicate with their doctors over the internet."
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Home-monitoring systems
Today, devices like Ring doorbells are part of everyday home security, but Gates envisioned this back in the 1990s.
"Constant video feeds of your house will become common, which inform you when somebody visits while you are not home," he said.
No one could have predicted sure a doorbell, surely?
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Social media
It's hard to believe that just 25 years ago, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat didn’t exist. People relied on landlines to make plans with friends and family.
Gates saw this coming and predicted, "Private websites for your friends and family will be common, allowing you to chat and plan for events."
Smart adverts
Nowadays, it’s no surprise when ads show up for something you’ve been browsing online. Gates predicted this would happen too.
"Devices will have smart advertising. They will know your purchasing trends and will display advertisements that are tailored toward your preferences," he said.
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Auto-generated adverts
He also predicted that ads would go even further, adjusting to your travel plans.
"Software that knows when you've booked a trip and uses that information to suggest activities at the local destination.
"It suggests activities, discounts, offers, and cheaper prices for all the things that you want to take part in," Gates wrote.
Sports discussion websites
Gates even predicted how fans would gather online to discuss sports.
"While watching a sports competition on television, services will allow you to discuss what is going on live, and enter a contest where you vote on who you think will win," he said.
A lot of sports discussion takes place online
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Virtual discussion boards
"Residents of cities and countries will be able to have internet-based discussions concerning issues that affect them, such as local politics, city planning, or safety," Gates predicted.
That sounds a lot like what we now do on social media platforms.
Links to sites during live TV
"Television broadcasts will include links to relevant websites and content that complement what you are watching," Gates wrote in his book.
Nowadays, scanning QR codes during live TV shows is incredibly common, proving another of Gates' predictions spot-on.
Online communities
With platforms like Reddit, people from all over the world connect based on shared interests, no matter their location.
"Online communities will not be influenced by your location, but rather, your interest," Gates predicted.
Absolutely nailed that one.
Project-management software
Thanks to tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Workplace, working with colleagues is easier than ever.
Gates predicted this evolution, saying, "Project managers looking to put a team together will be able to go online, describe the project, and receive recommendations for available people who would fit their requirements."
Gates predicted it would be easier than ever to connect with colleagues
Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Business community software
Sites like Fiverr and Craigslist help small businesses connect with potential clients, another prediction Gates made.
"Companies will be able to bid on jobs, whether they are looking for a construction project, a movie production, or an advertising campaign. This will be efficient for both big companies that want to outsource work that they don't usually face, businesses looking for new clients, and corporations that don't have a go-to provider for the said service," he wrote.
Online recruiting
Applying for a job online is now the go-to method for many people. But back in 1999, you’d typically go in person to apply.
Gates foresaw this change, predicting that sites like LinkedIn would eventually pop up.
With so many of his predictions coming true, it's clear that if Gates ever makes another round of predictions, we’d be wise to pay attention.