Michael Ngan, Country General Manager of Lenovo Philippines, shares his insight into what technologies will become mainstream in 2023 and beyond.
The integration of advanced technology has greatly impacted our daily lives, and we can expect to see even more transformation in the coming year. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and edge computing is bringing increased power and efficiency to a wide range of industries and activities. As we enter into 2023, what new developments can we expect to see in the constantly evolving relationship between technology and society?
Here, we examine some of the emerging technologies that are poised to have a significant impact in the near future. These innovations are set to change the way we interact with our screens, cities, and reality. From advancements in virtual and augmented reality to the integration of 5G networks, the possibilities are endless. Keep an eye out for these exciting developments as they continue to shape our world.
- ‘Holographic’ technology will deliver to remote workers the best of two worlds
As the hybrid workplace becomes more prevalent, technology will play a crucial role in bringing together remote teams and creating a more immersive and interactive meeting experience. With the use of augmented and mixed reality, organizations can make a lasting impression during presentations, product launches, and meetings with other companies by incorporating life-size ‘holographic’ attendees that can interact with virtual objects and environments.
One example of this technology in action is Lenovo’s Cyber Space concept, which utilizes a special coated glass that is semi-transparent and semi-reflective, allowing people to physically interact with life-sized virtual objects. This ‘phygital’ approach brings together the physical and digital worlds, making it possible for remote teams to collaborate and engage with each other in a more meaningful way, despite being physically separated. As the future of work continues to evolve, technologies like these will become increasingly important in fostering collaboration and connection in the hybrid, remote, and global workplaces of the future.
2. Shape-changing devices will mold to the way we live, work and play
In an era of constant multitasking and devices that can do it all, screen size is still a valuable feature. In the future, smartphones may become smaller, reversing a long-standing trend, but will have the ability to “extend” or “unfold” to larger sizes when needed. With a simple press of a button, these devices can easily transform into productivity machines, providing more screen space for work and other activities.
Lenovo has already demonstrated this concept with their proof-of-concept Rollable PC, which features a 15.3-inch screen for increased productivity, such as providing more space for coding. The screen can expand at the touch of a button, thanks to motors inside the laptop, giving workers the flexibility to increase their productivity on demand. With this kind of technology, our devices can become more versatile, allowing us to switch seamlessly between different modes and tasks, making them more efficient and effective tools for our everyday lives.
And for those who need portability, privacy, and extended screen space, don’t be surprised if you see more people “wearing” their screens.
3. The metaverse will change the way we work
The metaverse, a virtual world where users can interact in a shared space, is gaining traction and becoming increasingly realistic. However, its focus will not solely be on gaming and cartoon avatars. Instead, the use of metaverse technology in the workplace is poised to become a driving force in its development and implementation. As companies look for new ways to improve remote work and collaboration, the metaverse offers a promising solution. Expect to see an increase in virtual office spaces, training simulations, and other professional applications in the near future.
Lenovo’s ThinkReality VRX headset is among the solutions that are emerging to allow workers to collaborate in virtual reality and to provide cost-effective training programs.
Lenovo envisions a metaverse that is collaborative and open, where ideas and technology can be easily shared across multiple companies and organizations, rather than being restricted to closed systems controlled by a single entity. This technology is expected to enable more efficient communication and collaboration among remote workers, while also providing organizations with a more flexible and cost-effective way to train their employees.
4. Shops will get smarter
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to have a significant impact on our daily lives, including in the realm of shopping.
In the near future, AI-powered systems may analyze video feeds from in-store cameras to detect large quantities of items being removed simultaneously, and monitor deliveries to ensure inventory remains high. This will allow retailers to manage goods more efficiently, respond to supply and demand more quickly, increase profit margins, and ensure customers receive what they paid for.
Additionally, when customers use “click and buy” options, AI cameras will closely monitor them to guarantee they receive the correct items, streamlining the self-checkout process.
5. Multi-access edge computing (MEC) will power smart cities
Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that enables processing at the edge of the network, closer to the source of data. By using edge computing, data can be processed closer to where it is generated, reducing the need to send it to a distant data center.
This can lead to faster response times, lower latency, and improved performance. In smart cities, edge computing can be used to manage traffic, reduce pollution, and enhance other city services. Additionally, it can be used in applications such as holographic teaching and augmented reality shopping. Overall, edge computing can provide many benefits in smart cities by enabling faster and more efficient processing of data.
6. Hybrid work will enable new technologies
The way companies utilize technology is undergoing a transformation, as evidenced by a recent survey of 500 CTOs. According to the survey, 43% of respondents stated that their company’s technology architecture has been improved in the past year, with smart devices (76%) and IoT (70%) becoming increasingly important.
In the future, businesses will adopt a more flexible approach by outsourcing the entire office experience and related services to a third party provider. Lenovo is already taking steps in this direction by offering a managed employee experience, where companies can rent a complete workplace solution that includes IT infrastructure and support, performance analytics, cloud and data infrastructure services.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digitalization and it is changing the way we live, work, play and learn. At Lenovo, we recognize the significance of this change and are dedicated to enabling it through our human-centric solutions, which are designed to optimize workflows and drive better outcomes.
Learn more about Lenovo’s view of how smarter technology is powering a changing world here.
