From Sci-Fi to Reality: How Films Inspired the Tech Around Us

21 August 2025

Paul Francis

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A Nostalgic Glimpse of the Future

There was a certain magic in sitting down to watch a sci-fi film as a child, eyes wide, heart racing, as heroes tapped sleek screens, spoke into tiny devices, or zoomed around in cars that seemed to fly. The future felt just a reel away, and we often marveled at gadgets that seemed impossible. Yet over the decades, many of these fantastical inventions have crept off the screen and into our pockets, homes, and daily lives.

Foldable smartphone with a purple cover, standing open on a marble surface. The screen displays the time 17:51 and a colorful graphic.

Star Trek and the Rise of Mobile Phones

One of the most obvious examples is the mobile phone. Fans of Star Trek will remember the original series’ communicators, small flip devices that allowed instant contact across distances. These were a clear inspiration for the flip phones that became ubiquitous in the 1990s and early 2000s. Even today, the sleek, touch-screen smartphones we carry owe a nod to that early vision of portable, personal communication.

Beyond Phones: Sci-Fi as a Blueprint for Innovation

Films like Back to the Future Part II imagined hoverboards, self-lacing shoes, and video calling long before they became tangible possibilities. Science fiction has often served as a blueprint, a source of collective imagination that engineers and designers try to replicate. Robotic assistants, smart home devices, and augmented reality technologies can all trace at least part of their conceptual lineage back to the silver screen.

Medical Technology Inspired by Fiction

Medical technology has also benefited from the visionary ideas of science fiction. The Star Trek medical tricorder, capable of diagnosing ailments instantly, inspired real-world attempts at portable diagnostic tools. Companies and researchers have been working on handheld devices capable of scanning vitals and detecting illnesses quickly, a technology that could revolutionise healthcare access in remote areas.

Challenges of Turning Fiction Into Reality

Yet translating fiction into reality is rarely straightforward. Many innovations seen in films face practical, economic, and ethical challenges. The self-driving cars imagined in Total Recall and Minority Report are now being tested in real cities, but safety, regulation, and infrastructure remain hurdles. Similarly, while gesture-controlled interfaces and holographic displays dazzle audiences in cinemas, creating responsive, reliable, and affordable versions for daily use is far from simple.

Close-up of a person wearing glowing, futuristic HUD glasses with digital patterns. Eye-focused, hi-tech ambiance against a dark backdrop.

Nostalgia Keeps the Dream Alive

Nostalgia, however, keeps the dream alive. Older audiences smile at seeing Star Trek communicators reflected in their pocket devices, while younger viewers are inspired by the visions they see on screen today. Science fiction acts as both motivator and mirror, reflecting our hopes for the future and nudging technologists to turn imagination into reality.

Looking Forward: The Fantastical Becoming Mundane

So, while we may not be zooming around on hoverboards or casually teleporting from place to place just yet, the gadgets we carry and the technologies we rely on are increasingly influenced by what once seemed impossible. Perhaps one day, the fantastical devices of today’s films will be the mundane tools of tomorrow, and future generations will look back with the same nostalgic wonder we do now. Until then, keep an eye on the screen—it may just be the blueprint for the next revolution in technology.

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It dominated the headlines of 2023 and is on track to do the same in 2024 as this year looks like it will be the year of AI integration in consumer products. Whilst 2023 saw the rise of AI models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and its AI image generator Dall E. Along with OpenAI, Adobe got on board the AI train by integrating AI into their professional software with a feature in photoshop allowing for AI generative fill as well as in their video editing software where AI can clean up your audio and make voices more clear. Many other companies were also adding AI to their software, but most of these were software and designed/aimed at other businesses or professionals. However in 2024 what we’ve seen is the first integration of AI into consumer products from leading companies such as Samsung, Dell, and Sony. The leap of AI into our everyday lives has begun, but what does this mean for the future?

AI in Consumer Products

Connor from ITK's Samsung S24 smartphone

Samsung's introduction of the S24 Ultra smartphone, featuring real-time multi-language translation, voice memo transcription, and AI-powered camera enhancements, signifies a notable advancement in consumer AI applications. Similarly, Dell's XPS laptop and alleged leaks about Sony's PS5 Pro incorporating AI capabilities indicate a broader industry shift towards integrating AI into consumer electronics.

While these AI-driven features offer tangible benefits to users, such as improved photo and video quality and productivity enhancements, concerns about privacy and data security have emerged. The automatic uploading of edited photos to Samsung's servers, for instance, raises questions about data privacy and the potential misuse of personal information. As AI technologies evolve and become more advanced, the potential for surveillance and data breaches raises further concerns among privacy advocates.

Despite these challenges, the trajectory of AI integration into consumer products appears irreversible. As AI continues to permeate various aspects of daily life, it is essential to address privacy concerns through robust regulations and consumer awareness initiatives. Striking a balance between innovation and privacy protection will be crucial in navigating the future of AI in consumer electronics. Ultimately, embracing AI technologies while remaining vigilant about their implications will shape how society adapts to this transformative technological shift.