Soundbite: Search engines 50 years' hence

"In 50 years the scene will be transformed. Instead of typing a few words into a search engine, people will discuss their needs with a digital intermediary, which will offer suggestions and refinements. The result will not be a list of links, but an annotated report (or a simple conversation) that synthesises the important points, with references to the original literature. People won't think of 'search' as a separate category - it will all be part of living."

Peter Norvig, director of research at Google, quoted in New Scientist's 50th anniversary issue where brilliant minds forecast the next 50 years.