The world of tech is no longer that niche concept that only appeals to computer gamers or IT staff at a software company. Tech has now quickly become a part of everyday life with the likes of smartphones, apps and now ChatGPT leading the charge and filtering into various parts of our social and professional lives. But are you up to date with everything tech, and particularly the lingo attached to it?
“Whether you’re preparing for an interview, attempting to level up your conversation game with friends or just wanting to stay in the know,” says Caroline Kilbey, Head of Strategic Relationships at Strider Digital, a digital outsourcing agency, “there are more than a few tech buzzwords that you should get to know, and more importantly understand.”
Kilbey suggests you review the list below which covers some of the most talked about tech innovations that 2023 has heard so far.
- Artificial intelligence
“Artificial intelligence or AI is by far 2023’s most mentioned and talked about tech buzzword,” says Kilbey. “But strangely enough, very few people can accurately articulate what it is and more importantly explain how it works.”
AI is an all-embracing branch of computer science which involves the creation of smart machines that have the ability to perform tasks that are generally associated with humans and our intelligence. AI empowers machines to model, and as we have seen with tools like ChatGPT, even improve upon, the abilities of the human mind.
“We’ve seen AI come to life in self-driving cars, in our homes and on our phones with smart assistants like Siri and Alexa but just as important, we’ve seen AI change the way in which we do business,” says Kilbey.
“AI has the power to streamline job processes and can be used to collect and sort data. Machine learning, cybersecurity and customer relationship management are just a few of examples of the applications where AI can add huge value – and this is only the beginning.”
- Metaverse
This word sprung to popularity in 2021 when Mark Zuckerburg officially changed Facebook’s name to Meta and the internet was abuzz with the new concept of a 3D digital space where really, anything is possible. But without clear cut answers, and mostly informed guesses, interest in the metaverse teetered off but now with a more coherent vision forming, it’s back in fashion.
“The metaverse has definitely caused the most confusion when it comes down to what it actually means and more importantly, what its real-world applications are,” explains Kilbey.
The metaverse has been described as the inevitable evolution of the internet and has been spoken about in conjunction with both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Without question, the metaverse combines aspects of the digital and physical worlds but need not only be accessed by VR and AR. The idea is that this levelled up version of cyberspace should be open for access via computers, laptops, gaming consoles and smartphones.
“When it comes to how consumers can make use of the metaverse, one can really just think about what you’re already using the internet for and imagine this being kicked up a level, to a more immersive and 3D experience,” says Kilbey.
“And even business owners can start thinking about how they apply the metaverse to their operations. AR and VR are already valuable tools that are used in virtual meetings and conferences, product visualisation, configuration tasks, design, training and remote guidance. So, what happens when we’re empowered to move between these worlds more seamlessly as is promised within the metaverse? The options will be endless.”
- Avatar
The word avatar has become a relatively familiar term over the past few years, not just as a result of the blockbuster films but also due to its infiltration into most people’s online presence – perhaps without even knowing it. An avatar is a personalised graphic or character that represents a computer, console or smartphone user. It has the power to be three-dimensional in games or virtual worlds or a two-dimensional icon in chats and on websites.
“I’m convinced that many people already use avatars in their daily lives but don’t necessarily know what they’re called,” says Kilbey. “In fact, apps like Whatsapp and Instagram make creating and using avatars very easy, and better than that they give users the power to interact with and comment on content in a much more personalised fashion, particularly when compared to emojis.”
Like other tech applications, avatars have broken free from the confines of gaming, coming to life as virtual influencers – so what if this could be extended further to the likes of business?
“There’s definitely a great opportunity for brands and businesses to use avatars to represent their business’ personality and even act as an ambassador or spokesperson. This avatar could form part of a social media strategy, appear at virtual events and generally create a more immersive experience for customers,” concludes Kilbey.
Caroline Kilbey’s three-decade long career has seen her hone sound and ethical management principles that have helped her to build a solid foundation of trust with her workforces and clients. In her current role, she is responsible for crafting the strategic goals within her division that ensure the best processes and practices are in place to allow for scale and growth without compromising on excellent service to clients and employee care.
Strider Digital gives their clients access to the bright minds and talent that are paving the way for the future of digital. Over the years, the Strider digital team has assisted some of the largest financial institutions on their digital transformation journey, and today they are able to call some notable blue-chip companies their clients.
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