The 5 in 5

Innovations that will change our lives in the next five years
In the future, everything will learn
This year, IBM researchers are exploring the idea that everything will learn – driven by a new era of cognitive systems where machines will learn, reason and engage with us in a more natural and personalized way. These innovations are beginning to emerge enabled by cloud computing, big data analytics and learning technologies all coming together.
A new era in computing will lead to breakthroughs that will amplify human abilities, assist us in making good choices, look out for us and help us navigate our world in powerful new ways. Read more about the IBM 5 in 5.

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The classroom will learn you


The classroom of the future will learn about each individual student over the course of their education, helping them master the skills that match their goals.The rapid digitization of educational institutions will allow unprecedented instrumentation of the learning process. Cognitive computing, or learning technologies, will help us calculate everything we can about how each student learns and thrives, then create flexibility in the system to continually adapt and fine-tune what we deliver to that student and how this supports teachers and employers.

Katharine Frase
VP and CTO, Global Public Sector
Katharine provides thought leadership on innovation and strategic transformation specific to the creation of new solutions.

Buying local will beat online


The technology trends will move us back to brick and mortar—but with a difference. In the future, retailers will layer increasing levels of engagement and personalization on top of the shopping experience, ultimately merging the instant gratification of physical shopping with the richness of online shopping and making same-day delivery a snap.

Sima Nadler
IBM Research Lead for Retail
Sima acts as the liaison between IBM Research and the Retail/ Commerce sales, services and development arms of IBM and its customers.

Doctors will routinely use your DNA to keep you well


Today, full DNA testing to help make treatment decisions is still rare. But cognitive systems and cloud computing may make this form of treatment mainstream. It could be done faster, more affordably and much more frequently. In addition to DNA testing for cancers, we may even see DNA-specific personalized treatment options for conditions such as stroke and heart disease.

Ajay Royyuru
Director, Computational Biology Center
Working with biologists and institutions around the world, Ajay is engaged in research that will advance personalized, information-based medicine.

A digital guardian will protect you online


Security is evolving from being based on rules, like passwords, to being automatic and made stronger through us just being us.This guardian will have your back, trained to focus on the people and items it is entrusted with based on a 360 degree of an individual’s data, devices and applications. It will make inferences about what’s normal or reasonable activity and what’s not, ready to spot deviations that could be precursors to an attack and a stolen identity.

J.R. Rao
Director, Security Research
JR works closely with customers and academic partners to drive new and innovative technologies into IBM's products and services and definitive industry standards.

The city will help you live in it


For citizens, smart phones enabled by cognitive systems will provide a digital key to the city. People can have fingertip access to information about everything that’s happening in the city, whether an experience is right for them, and how best to get there. Because these learning systems have interacted with citizens continuously, they know what they like—and can present them with options they might not find easily.

Sergio Borger
IBM Research - Brazil - Strategy & Human Systems
Sergio’s current work in sentient cities brings mobile, social and cognitive computational aspects into our modern urban lives.

Learning videos and
activity kits

Connect with our experts to explore more

Learning Technologies


IBM researcher Dario Gil explains how learning systems are different from the traditional computers that we're using widely today.

Hello, Watson

Math Games for Kids

Big Data & Cognitive Systems


IBM Research VP David McQueeney explains how the combination of big data and cognitive computing make it possible to know ourselves and our world more deeply.

STEM and the new era of computing

Mission: Innovation