Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530962
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 DECEMBER 2024 2025 LOOKING FORWARD AS we wake up in 2025, artifi- cial intelligence (AI) will already be at work, quietly shaping the day ahead. From the moment we open our eyes, get ready for work, manage our health, or un- wind in the evening, AI is find- ing its way into every corner of our lives. The technologies once im- agined in science fiction are now becoming routine, seam- lessly blending into our days. But while they promise con- venience, efficiency, and even life-saving breakthroughs, they also raise questions about pri- vacy, ethics, and what it means to trust what we see and hear. Let's walk through a day in 2025 and see how AI might shape our world. The morning starts with your AI-powered wearable device gently waking you up. It hasn't just acted as an alarm clock – it spent the night monitoring your sleep patterns, heart rate, and stress levels. Based on this data, it suggests a slower start to the day because it noticed your body needs a little ex- tra rest. It might even prompt you to schedule a quick video consultation with your doctor if it senses any irregularities, like an abnormal heartbeat. By 2025, these AI-driven health insights will become essential to preventative care, saving lives through early detection of issues like heart disease or diabetes. Tools like these make healthcare proactive instead of reactive. Real and fake news Over breakfast, you scan through the news, but here's where AI's influence gets trick- ier. Generative AI has made content creation effortless. News articles, social media posts, and even videos are be- ing produced faster than ev- er, often with AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E or SORA. On the one hand, this means personalised, high-quality con- tent tailored to your interests. On the other hand, it's hard- er than ever to trust what you see. A compromising video of a public figure could be entire- ly fake. AI-generated videos, images, or audio will become so realistic that distinguishing the truth from fiction will be- come a daily challenge. How can you be sure the news you're reading is real? To tackle this, regulations like the European Union's AI Act require compa- nies to disclose when content is AI-generated. It's definitely a step in the right direction, but ultimately, the responsibility to verify your sources and stay vigilant rests with you. By mid-morning, you're off to work, perhaps using one of the first self-driving buses we'll see roaming on Maltese roads in 2025. These AI-pow- ered vehicles will help reduce traffic congestion and acci- dents caused by human error. If you're lucky, a few autono- mous taxis may start to appear, offering affordable and reliable transport options. Behind the scenes, AI is also optimising delivery systems – imagine drones buzzing overhead, de- livering parcels to homes faster and more efficiently than ev- er before. These technologies will change not just the way we move but also how goods arrive at our doorsteps. The office assistant At the office, you find yourself working alongside AI agents, intelligent tools that can handle repetitive tasks like managing emails, sorting through data, or even predicting future trends 2025: Will AI take over your life? Alexiei Dingli What to expect in 2025 2025 is shaping up to be an important one for Malta, with a series of significant political events, judicial milestones, and policy discussions set to take centre stage. From parliamentary debates to high-profile court cases and Donald Trump's presidency, Malta is poised for a year of disruption that could shape its future. Euthanasia White Paper Malta is set to discuss a highly sensitive issue in 2025 with the release of a White Paper on assisted dying. This positions Malta alongside the few European Union countries addressing the issue. There are currently only six EU member states that allow individuals to end their own lives. In an interview with MaltaToday, Reforms Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg confirmed that this discussion would take place in the new year, although no specific date was provided. The discussion will eventually result in a Bill that will be tabled in parliament. It is unclear whether a Bill permitting voluntary euthanasia would receive support from the Opposition since the party has not pronounced itself on the matter. Yorgen Fenech trial Yorgen Fenech, the man accused of masterminding the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, is expected to stand trial in 2025. Fenech, who holds the record for the longest period of preventive custody in Malta, is currently awaiting a trial date that is anticipated to capture the nation's attention for days. In January, the magistrate overseeing the proceedings will issue a decree regarding Fenech's latest bail request, while the Police Commissioner is set to report his findings following an investigation into podcasts that breached a court order by discussing the murder case. That said, it could be several months into 2025 before the trial date is confirmed since within legal circles speculation that the "trial is imminent" has long been doing the rounds. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt