My thoughts on the IoT World and AI Summit 2022 in Austin, TX
I have just wrapped up the second day at the IoT World and AI Summit in Austin, and contrary to my disappointment at SXSW 2022, I have left the event feeling a bit hopeful. Here’s what I saw:
Move over Metaverse
How refreshing is going to a Tech event in which companies are not vomiting “Metaverse”, “NFT’s” Web 3.0" and other trendy terms. Of course, being a IoT event, naturally the focus would be the physical world. But I still anticipated some companies would try to fit in somehow, which did not happen.
The very few times the “Metaverse” was mentioned, it was very on-point.
Alberto Prado, the Head of R&D from Unilever, was very precise in saying we should not disregard or ignore these technologies. But the world is still learning how and where to apply those, so a bit of caution here.
Tech leadership pushing for innovation in the right direction
While we are on Unilever, it was fascinating to see how R&D from these corporations has shifted towards seeking sustainable materials and renewable energy.
Of course, public pressure has pushed companies to develop and adapt biodegradable, sustainable, and ethical materials. Still, these things could only go so far it company leadership didn’t see their value of them.
With the increased pressure on Energy companies due to the war in Ukraine, companies like BP have been leveraging the power of AI to speed up research and shorten towards renewable sources.
Roger Rohatgi, from BP, has also emphasized the importance of having Data to serve people. They have been using the insights to create better, seamless user experiences not only for their customers but also internally for teams worldwide. These improvements have increased efficiency and safety for their employees and better experience for their customers.
It’s good to see some leadership, at least in Tech, moving in the right direction.
Tech talent is in high demand.
It was surprising to see how many countries have sent official representation. Canada, Taiwan, and Germany are some. Even the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) was there to present its innovation programs.
That means there’s a growing demand for this type of talent, and now governments are trying to lure workers in tech to move into their countries and contribute to the local tech scene.
Almost there?
The consensus is that we have not yet achieved the full potential of AI, but the evolution of Quantum computing might boost the speed and get us there sooner than later. The development in this area is not constant; it's exponential.
And once we get there, there are still lots of questions, both ethical and commercial, on how to apply the insights generated by AI.
AI in combination with Quantum computing, applied onto IoT or digital devices, can potentially facilitate life on the planet exponentially. But only if used to create solutions and serve the people and the planet.
That’s why is pivotal for leadership in these companies to focus on solving the imminent problems we’ll face if things don’t change. War, supply change disruptions, pandemics, etc., will continue to threaten us.
Solving economic issues and creating new sources of materials and energy will not only create an equal world but will sustain the business for companies in the long run.
AI can guide companies to achieve carbon neutrality, create better-personalized products and experiences, improve processes and cure diseases. As long as this is where we’re aiming for.
