Tech’s next feats? Maybe on-demand kidneys, robot sex, cheap solar, lab meat

JEFFREY BROWN:Now, mining technology to solve the world's problems.

NewsHour economics correspondent Paul Solman recently traveled to California and filed this report on some innovative thinkers. It's part of his ongoing reportingMaking Sense of financial news.

PAUL SOLMAN:On the back lot at 20th Century Fox, the world of make-believe, and a typical make-believe vision of the future, courtesy of FOX CEO Jim Gianopulos.

JIM GIANOPULOS,CEO, 20th Century Fox: Here's a little peek at what's in store for us.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR:At Weyland Industries, it has long been our goal to create artificial intelligence almost indistinguishable from mankind itself.

PAUL SOLMAN:The sci-fi pipe dream of moving pictures for as long as they have existed, but no dream to those assembled here.

This wasn't a film industry gathering, but a conference put together by Singularity University, a futuristic Silicon Valley think tank which fosters and showcases high-tech inventions. The goal is to make the world a better place as fast as possible.

Co-founder Peter Diamandis.

PETER DIAMANDIS,chairman, Singularity University: These tools that are now in your hands allow us to really take on any challenge. It's about the most efficient use of capital and tools that have ever existed.

PAUL SOLMAN:Singularity's mission is to solve humanity's most pressing problems by spurring new technologies in food, water, energy, supposedly scarce, but, with the tinkerings of technology, says Diamandis, potentially abundant.

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Tech's next feats? Maybe on-demand kidneys, robot sex, cheap solar, lab meat