Final answer:
a. assumption made
The proposed assumption about supercomputer development being completed has not been explicitly stated, but it is implied by the concern over a future shortage of experts capable of utilizing supercomputer power.
Technological advancements often outstrip human societies' capacities to adapt, and training for such technologies may lag behind their development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding the forecast of supercomputers' development leading to a shortage of skilled personnel to harness their power touches on an assumption about technological progress. The proposed assumption is that the development of supercomputers will eventually be completed.
This assumption has not been explicitly stated, but it can be inferred as the forecast is predicated on this development being finalized, which would then lead to a shortage of knowledgeable individuals.
From the perspective of technological evolution, supercomputers are getting more powerful due to a positive feedback loop in computer technology, as computers are used to design and build even more capable machines.
This acceleration, however, does not guarantee that the completion of development will lead to a set endpoint or that humanity will have the necessary skills to utilize such advances entirely. Experts, like Nick Bostrom, warn of a potential mismatch between our cooperative abilities as a species and the instrumental use of technology.
These concerns are not without basis. History shows that technological advancement often outpaces the societal, ethical, and educational frameworks necessary for optimal usage.
A shortage of individuals capable of making the most out of supercomputing power could indeed be a possibility if educational and professional training programs do not adapt quickly enough to keep pace with innovations.