Siri says ‘dump him’? How mobile devices could run (or ruin) your life

futurist Gerd Leonhard, Special to CNN
Updated 11:11 AM EST, Tue December 10, 2013
The Galaxy Gear opened a new front in the technology wars. But could mobile devices eventually know us so well they'll recommend when we should break up with someone?
The interconnected, automated future —
The Galaxy Gear opened a new front in the technology wars. But could mobile devices eventually know us so well they'll recommend when we should break up with someone?
Getty Images
Ultra-smart software is being created, and mobiles are key to this. Social TV -- the convergence of TV and the Web will add another dimension.
Ultra-smart software is being created, and mobiles are key to this. Social TV -- the convergence of TV and the Web will add another dimension.
AFP/Getty Images
New York City cabbies are renowned for being great storytellers -- but their jobs could eventually be automated, along with check-out clerks, data analysts, bank tellers, file clerks, delivery people and others.
New York City cabbies are renowned for being great storytellers -- but their jobs could eventually be automated, along with check-out clerks, data analysts, bank tellers, file clerks, delivery people and others.
Spencer Plat/Getty
Instead, driverless cars will be taking us around the streets, like this Google version maneuvering through the streets of Washington.
Instead, driverless cars will be taking us around the streets, like this Google version maneuvering through the streets of Washington.
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
Robots are already being used to produce cars, like those pictured here waiting to build the new Mini Cooper. Robots will increasingly be used for household chores
Robots are already being used to produce cars, like those pictured here waiting to build the new Mini Cooper. Robots will increasingly be used for household chores
ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images
Smart software engines and networked cloud systems are likely to replace accountants and book-keepers -- but the collection of data will raise privacy concerns and is expected to lead to a study of ethics.
Smart software engines and networked cloud systems are likely to replace accountants and book-keepers -- but the collection of data will raise privacy concerns and is expected to lead to a study of ethics.
Apple
Edward Snowden revealed a flood of classified documents and surveillance data taken from U.S. agencies earlier this year -- raising fears around how much personal information is gathered. Snowden is wanted in the U.S. on espionage charges but has been on a one-year visa in Russia since June.
The interconnected, automated future —
Edward Snowden revealed a flood of classified documents and surveillance data taken from U.S. agencies earlier this year -- raising fears around how much personal information is gathered. Snowden is wanted in the U.S. on espionage charges but has been on a one-year visa in Russia since June.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The interconnected, automated future

Editor’s Note: Gerd Leonhard is a futurist, speaker and CEO of TheFuturesAgency, based in Basel, Switzerland. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Gerd Leonhard.

Story highlights

The Web is set to change our lives in numerous ways, the use of artificial intelligence to language translation and more

Futurist Gerd Leonhard says machines may eventually know us so well they will tell us when to break off a date

Humans will become addicted to digital machines because they are so powerful and easy to use

But that will create fears around privacy and lead to discussions on ethics and how we control the power

CNN  —