These five innovations will alter the world.

60 percent of the world's population, or approximately 5 billion individuals, have used the internet since 1996, when there were only roughly 40 million users. In India's urban slums, Vietnam's rice terraces, and Brazil's favelas, internet connectivity is available.

That's a significant change in 27 years, or in my lifetime.

What do 36 million people use now that eventually 5 billion will, tweeted venture capitalist Paul Graham.

Here are my predictions for five technologies that could rule the world by 2050 and potentially transform how we live just as significantly as the internet did. These technologies could also help us solve some of our most difficult problems, which almost always come about through innovation and creativity rather than through regulation or financial support from the government.