#111: Technology 2023 The Best And Worst

#111: Technology 2023 The Best And Worst

Wrapping up 2023. The Best and Worst in Tech and seasons greetings to all our loyal supporters. 

2023 saw a surge of innovative technologies poised to shape the future of various industries and our daily lives. 2023 also saw failures which will not be forgotten, and it set in place the foundations for the regulation of AI.  

Unfortunately, the world is in disarray and until we become more strategic in our decision-making, leadership and learning journeys won’t in my opinion keep up with the way society and the very fabric of our lives is changing with automation, in particular taking into account disinformation and how that affects our political systems and other inflammatory situations that seem to happen faster than ever before with the new wave of AI.  

Some wise words below to take forward to 2024:

“Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” 

Prophet Amos

If you can find a few minutes to read the list below and have anything to add please comment or direct message me. 

Here are some of the most notable developments in technology from 2023: 

  1. On-device AI: The year witnessed significant advancements in on-device AI, enabling AI capabilities to be embedded directly into devices rather than relying solely on cloud-based processing. This shift towards local AI is opening new possibilities for privacy, performance, and real-time applications. 
  1. Generative AI: exemplified by groundbreaking models like DALL-E 2, has emerged as a powerful tool for creating realistic and original content. It can generate images, text, and even code based on text descriptions, opening new avenues for creativity, design, and innovation. 
  1. Hyperautomation, the convergence of various automation technologies, including RPA (robotic process automation), AI, and machine learning, is transforming various business processes. It enables companies to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks, enhance efficiency, and free up human workers for more strategic and value-added activities. 
  1. 6G Research: the next generation of wireless technology, is gaining momentum, promising even faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than 5G. 6G is expected to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, transportation, and the Internet of Things (IoT). 
  1. Digital Twins: virtual replicas of physical objects, systems, or processes, are becoming increasingly prominent in various industries. They enable engineers, scientists, and researchers to simulate and test scenarios in the virtual world before implementing them in the real world, saving time, resources, and potentially reducing risks. 
  1. Neuromorphic Computing: inspired by the architecture of the human brain, is gaining traction as a promising approach to artificial intelligence and machine learning. It aims to develop hardware that mimics the brain’s ability to process information and solve problems, potentially leading to more efficient and powerful AI systems. 
  1. Web3 and Decentralized Applications (DApps): Web3, a vision for a more decentralized and democratized internet, is gaining momentum. It is built on blockchain technology and aims to provide users with more control over their data and online experiences. DApps, decentralized applications that run on the blockchain, are emerging as innovative alternatives to traditional web applications. 
  1. Quantum Computing: quantum computing holds immense potential for solving complex problems that are intractable for classical computers. It is expected to revolutionize fields such as drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling. 

These advancements in technology represent just a glimpse of the exciting developments that are shaping the future. As these technologies mature and become more accessible, they will continue to transform our lives, businesses, and the world around us. 

Here is a list of a few tech failures thanks to MIT Technology Review. 

  • Titan submersible: The Titan submersible, which was designed to explore the deepest parts of the ocean, imploded in the Mariana Trench, killing all five people on board. The accident highlighted the risks of pushing the boundaries of technology.  
  • Lab-grown meat: Upside Foods, a leading lab-grown meat company, was found to be using outdated methods and was not producing meat at scale. This setback raised questions about the viability of lab-grown meat as a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production.  
  • Cruise robotaxis: Cruise, a self-driving car company, was forced to pause its driverless service after a series of accidents. The accidents highlighted the challenges of developing safe and reliable self-driving cars. 
  • Plastic proliferation: Plastic pollution is a growing problem, with microplastics found in the environment and even in human bloodstreams. This pollution poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health.  
  • Humane Ai Pin: The Humane Ai Pin, a device designed to replace smartphones, was met with criticism for its design and functionality. The device failed to gain traction in the market.  
  • Room-temperature superconductor: A social media post about a supposed room-temperature superconductor turned out to be false. This hoax highlighted the importance of verifying information before sharing it.  
  • Rogue geoengineering: A startup called Make Sunsets was banned from conducting solar geoengineering experiments in Mexico. The experiments were considered to be too risky and could have unintended consequences. 

These failures serve as reminders that even the most promising technologies can face challenges and setbacks. It is important to approach new technologies with caution and to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before deploying them widely. 

If you think we have missed anything please do let us know. And we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. 

Sources:

MiT Technology Review: The Worst In Technology 2023 

On-device AI: 

Generative AI: 

Hyperautomation: 

RPA Software Company UiPath: Hyperautomation: https://www.uipath.com/rpa/hyperautomation 

Technology Magazine: Top 10: Biggest innovations of 2023: https://zeball.com/5143/technology-magazines/ 

6G Research: 

TechCrunch: 6G: The Next Generation of Wireless Technology Is About to Take Off: https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/28/the-brave-new-terabyte-broadband-world-of-6g-is-coming-but-not-just-yet/ 

IEEE Spectrum: 6G: The Future of Wireless: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9145564 

Digital Twins: 

Gartner: Gartner Predicts 30% of Large Organizations Will Develop at Least One Digital Twin by 2025: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-02-20-gartner-survey-reveals-digital-twins-are-entering-mai 

IDC: Digital Twins: Embracing the Real-World Digital Replica: https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=EUR250713023&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY 

Neuromorphic Computing: 

MIT Technology Review: The Rise of Neuromorphic Computing: https://www.technologyreview.com/technology/neuromorphic-chips/ 

The Conversation: Neuromorphic Computing: The Brain-Inspired Tech That Could Reshape Our World: https://medium.com/@staneyjoseph.in/neuromorphic-computing-a-brain-inspired-technology-for-the-future-of-ai-c29130f0a98e 

Web3 and Decentralized Applications (DApps): 

Investopedia: What Is Web3?: https://hbr.org/2022/05/what-is-web3 

Coindesk: What Are Decentralized Applications (DApps)?: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/decentralized-applications-dapps.asp 

Quantum Computing: 

Nature: Quantum Computing: The Promise and the Challenge: https://www.technewsworld.com/story/the-challenge-and-promise-of-quantum-computing-87289.html 

Harvard Business Review: Quantum Computing: A Primer for Business Leaders: https://hbr.org/2022/01/quantum-computing-for-business-leaders 

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