As we head toward the end of 2024, the tech world has seen its fair share of jaw-dropping innovations and unsettling trends. This year, we’ve witnessed everything from mind-bending AI breakthroughs to futuristic gadgets that challenge our very concept of reality. While many of these trends promise exciting new possibilities, others raise significant concerns about privacy, ethics, and the direction of human advancement. In this feature, we’ll take a look back at some of the weirdest, scariest, and most intriguing tech trends of 2024.

1. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: AI in 2024

AI technology continued to evolve rapidly in 2024, sparking both awe and alarm. From helpful innovations to dark dystopian realities, artificial intelligence has proven to be a double-edged sword.

On the bright side, we saw AI being used for creative and protective purposes. A prime example is O2’s “AI Granny” named Daisy, developed to help thwart phone scammers. Daisy engages with scammers for long periods of time, distracting them while giving victims time to realize the fraudulence of the call. With a record of keeping scammers on the line for up to 40 minutes, this AI tool demonstrated the power of technology to protect the public in new ways.

However, AI also ventured into more troubling territory. The rise of AI-powered virtual relationships—including the creation of AI “girlfriends” and holographic companions—has sparked concerns about the future of human connections. As these technologies become more advanced, they could blur the lines between reality and artificiality. The ethical implications are vast, particularly when it comes to privacy and the potential for manipulation.

The darker side of AI also includes more sinister uses, such as scams and identity theft facilitated by AI-generated personalities. With tech companies rushing to implement AI tools without fully understanding the consequences, there’s an urgent need for regulatory frameworks to guide its development and prevent misuse.

2. Mind-Reading Headphones: The Promise and Peril of Brainwave Tracking

One of 2024’s most mind-boggling developments came in the form of brainwave-tracking headphones. Developed by Neurable and Master & Dynamic, these headphones read your brainwaves to monitor focus levels and suggest breaks or personalized music to help you concentrate.

But the real game-changer lies in the potential future integration of these headphones with AI assistants like ChatGPT. Imagine the convenience of the headphones reading your thoughts to automatically draft and send replies to messages, all without you having to lift a finger. While this technology sounds futuristic and practical, it raises significant privacy and ethical concerns. If companies can track your brain activity, how much of your personal information is being collected without your consent? How far will this technology go before it begins to cross ethical boundaries?

The shift toward biometric tracking of brainwaves could open the door to deeper forms of surveillance and control. As organizations increasingly look to monitor productivity through such tools, society must ask: At what point does monitoring cross into invasion of privacy?

3. Anti-Aging Tech: Living Forever or Losing Ourselves?

Tech billionaires have long been obsessed with optimizing every aspect of life, and in 2024, the focus shifted dramatically to one goal: immortality. Bryan Johnson, a well-known tech entrepreneur, hosted an anti-aging event in San Francisco, where attendees were introduced to the latest trends in age reversal, from extreme diets to elaborate pill regimens.

While the notion of halting the aging process might sound like a utopian dream, it also carries a troubling implication: if anti-aging becomes the next frontier of tech, will it create an even greater divide between the haves and have-nots? The technology to slow down aging is expensive, and only those with wealth may be able to afford it. This trend prompts a larger societal question: If immortality becomes a reality for the rich, will it further entrench inequality, and at what cost?

Moreover, this obsession with life extension reflects a larger cultural shift in tech. Are we truly living, or are we just optimizing to escape the inevitable? Is our fixation on denying aging a deeper reflection of our disconnection from the natural cycles of life?

4. Aging Tech: Smart Solutions for the Elderly

As the population ages, tech companies are rising to meet the unique needs of older adults with “aging tech.” The 2024 CES featured an AARP-sponsored booth dedicated to showcasing new technologies designed to help the elderly navigate the challenges of aging. One particularly intriguing development is the “Proto” holographic communications platform. This platform aims to reduce social isolation by allowing elderly users to communicate with family and friends through 3D holograms, providing a more immersive and personal connection than a traditional video call.

Additionally, Samsung unveiled smart home technologies aimed at making it easier for seniors to “age in place.” These innovations can monitor health, adjust the home environment, and help with daily activities. While these advancements are promising, some of the technologies raised eyebrows for their unusual approach. For example, there are devices designed to simulate mobility issues in order to give younger people a sense of what it’s like to experience physical limitations. While these initiatives show promise, they also lead to questions about whether tech can truly replace the human connection necessary for healthy aging.

Even more bizarre is a cellphone designed specifically for individuals with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. The idea is to simplify communication, but the question remains: Do these devices offer genuine solutions, or are they simply an excuse to profit off an aging population’s vulnerabilities?

5. AR/XR Glasses: A Glimpse Into Our Future or Just Another Fad?

2024 marked a breakthrough for augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) with the growing popularity of smart glasses. Meta and Ray-Ban, building on the success of their 2021 Ray-Ban Stories, released the 2023 Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, a product that has generated significant consumer buzz. These glasses not only allow users to take calls and interact with their smartphones, but they also integrate augmented reality features that overlay digital information onto the real world.

The shift toward incorporating AR/XR into daily life is a sign that wearable tech is becoming more mainstream. However, the question remains: will these glasses ever be more than a novelty? While consumers are warming to the idea of integrating high-tech glasses into their lives, the long-term impact of these devices on social behavior, privacy, and personal connection remains uncertain. As AR glasses become more common, will we end up living in a world where everyone is constantly plugged into a digital overlay of their surroundings?

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

As we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2025, one thing is clear: the future of technology is not just defined by shiny new gadgets or viral breakthroughs. It’s shaped by the complex web of ethical, societal, and philosophical questions we must ask ourselves. Whether we’re embracing brainwave-tracking headphones, racing against time to reverse aging, or entrusting billionaires with solving public health and education crises, the path forward is anything but predictable.

As the technological landscape continues to evolve, so too must our ability to grapple with the implications of these advancements. In 2025, we may see more regulation and thoughtful debate on these issues—or we may dive even deeper into uncharted territories, propelled by the excitement of what’s possible.

The question remains: Are we ready for the world that 2025 has set in motion? Time will tell, but it’s clear that the weirdest and scariest trends of 2024 are only the beginning.