Ever since the end of World War II, humanity has been learning about digital technology and our learning curve just went through the roof, with so many innovative business sectors emerging, while thousands of researchers and scientists collaborate globally. In this article, we take a look at some of the new tech we are seeing around us.
Interaction with machines
You have probably used a touch-screen information board, when searching for a small store inside a shopping mall, and just like our smartphones, signage is turning interactive. Take a leading white glove logistics company such as TecDis Network, who handle European technical logistics and installation and are responsible for the many digital signs we see in our cities today. Some experts say that we are witnessing the end of human sales assistants, as they are replaced by AI controlled robots, which may look like a human.
Voice over Internet Protocol
VoIP has revolutionised communication, as we leave behind the analogue telephone lines, preferring the free calls we can have with apps like Zoom and Skype. Businesses save a fortune using VoIP technology and with 5G just around the corner, we will have 10x data transfer speeds and that will power real-time video from any location. Businesses that offer services are now turning to virtual solutions in a bid to continue their business during the pandemic and the world is getting used to having real-time video communication.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is the most exciting human invention; machines that learn, gathering wisdom and knowledge at an astronomical rate. Some warn that AI might be the very last invention of humanity and there is certainly a need for regulation in the AI sector. In 2016, Deep Mind create a supercomputer called AlphaGo, which went on to beat the 18-times world champion of the board game, Go, Mr Lee Sedol, who lost the series 4-1. The machine learning algorithms enabled AlphaGo to keep playing the game, learning as it did and this offers unlimited potential for humanity in so many ways. For the first time, man has created something with the capacity to learn and these smart machines will quickly become superior to their creator, so there does need to be some control mechanisms built into AI. Click here for further reading on artificial intelligence, which we are already using.
Robotics
Another exciting industry, the development of robots results in machines that can repeat a set of actions within a time frame, and once programmed, the robots work 24/7, never tiring or needing sustenance or rest. Perhaps our biggest problem will be what to do with all the redundant factory workers, as there will be no need for more than half a dozen people to manage a huge manufacturing facility. We already use medical robots for complex surgery, removing human error from the loop and by merging with AI, we expect to see more complex robotics, with human-like machines that can learn about your personality and even understand humour.
This is most definitely an exciting time to be alive, as we move into the 21st century and hopefully, 2021 will see the end of the global pandemic and we can all return to some form of normality.
