The articles in this special section present technology predictions. At a time of global uncertainty, this theme issue of Computer explores developments that could benefit humanity and the planet. Predictions have always excited the curiosity of a wide spectrum of audiences but, at best, with questionable credibility and a mixed record of success. This situation has been true from ancient times until recently, to be specific, the beginning of 2020. The sense of urgency triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has left us with limited scientific evidence and many predictions about a wide variety of issues. Vaccines were minimally tested and rushed into deployment, with evaluation conducted in parallel. Those from some manufacturers were suddenly withdrawn, for example, because recipients developed blood clots, only to be reinstated once predictions were deemed sufficiently optimistic, without firm proof. Many nations and their economies were closed based on the best predictions by politicians, while others were left open, with hopeful predictions that economic survival was more critical than the inevitable lives lost. Corporations were predicting the earliest time they could reopen offices, how and when to restructure supply chains, and on what diverging markets to bet in the midst of the ultimate instability. Every small business owner had to predict how to sustain his or her business or face closing. Families made similar predictions as their circumstances warranted. Suddenly, everyone was making predictions.

中文翻译：

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技术预测

本专题部分的文章介绍了技术预测。在全球充满不确定性的时代，本期《计算机》主题探讨了有益于​​人类和地球的发展。预测总是能激发广泛观众的好奇心，但充其量只是可信度存疑，成功记录也参差不齐。这种情况从古代一直到最近，具体来说是 2020 年初。 COVID-19 大流行引发的紧迫感使我们对各种问题的科学证据有限和许多预测。疫苗经过最低限度的测试并迅速投入部署，评估同时进行。一些制造商的那些突然被撤回，例如，因为接受者出现了血栓，只有在没有确凿证据的情况下，一旦人们认为预测足够乐观，就会恢复原状。许多国家及其经济根据政治家的最佳预测而关闭，而其他国家则保持开放，他们充满希望地预测经济生存比不可避免的生命损失更重要。企业正在预测他们可以重新开放办公室的最早时间、如何以及何时重组供应链，以及在最终不稳定的情况下要押注哪些不同的市场。每个小企业主都必须预测如何维持其业务或面临倒闭。家庭根据情况做出了类似的预测。顿时，所有人都在猜测。而其他人则保持开放，并有希望地预测经济生存比不可避免的生命损失更重要。企业正在预测他们可以重新开放办公室的最早时间、如何以及何时重组供应链，以及在最终不稳定的情况下要押注哪些不同的市场。每个小企业主都必须预测如何维持其业务或面临倒闭。家庭根据情况做出了类似的预测。顿时，所有人都在猜测。而其他人则保持开放，并有希望地预测经济生存比不可避免的生命损失更重要。企业正在预测他们可以重新开放办公室的最早时间、如何以及何时重组供应链，以及在最终不稳定的情况下要押注哪些不同的市场。每个小企业主都必须预测如何维持其业务或面临倒闭。家庭根据情况做出了类似的预测。顿时，所有人都在猜测。每个小企业主都必须预测如何维持其业务或面临倒闭。家庭根据情况做出了类似的预测。顿时，所有人都在猜测。每个小企业主都必须预测如何维持其业务或面临倒闭。家庭根据情况做出了类似的预测。顿时，所有人都在猜测。