Is there a way to predict the future of the world? Life simulation?

I know this is a broad question, but couldn't we technically simulate life using patterns from the past and speed it up in order to see the way the world changes and the future? Or at least predict possible happenings? Obviously ANYTHING can happen in the world, but i feel as if we can use our knowledge to narrow things down. We have used History in school to not make the same mistake twice seeing what bad occurrences came from wars and terrorism and what not. But can we use that information to predict the future? I feel if life could be predicted, we could accelerate the development of new ideas. And by simulation I mean is there away using the technology we have now to synthetically create something with a mind of its own? A computer program? A robot? To simulate life this should most-likely be based on a humans brain.