3 Big Events To Change Technology in 2019
We look at the key events ahead: how will they impact AI, technology & us?
5G is incoming
The eagerly-awaited 5G is finally set to land this year, following an international race of big tech companies (including Facebook) trialling it in labs.
What exactly is 5G, and how will we benefit?
5G will be fast. Potentially, fast enough to download an entire HD movie in 10 seconds. Faster downloads and connections, higher bandwidth, lower delays and greater capacity and security are the biggest plus points for consumers, but the truly exciting news is how it will impact AI. 5G is vital in enabling the development of virtual and augmented reality; it’s also going to be a game-changer in the evolution of autonomous vehicles, which can’t reach the human-like reflexes required for safe self-drive until 5G data is available everywhere. Virtual reality, smart cities and artificial intelligence will all become super-charged once the data networks’ capabilities catch up with 5G.
When and how will we get it?
There’s no set date yet, but we can anticipate its arrival in mid to late 2019. Trials have already started in pockets of the UK, US, Switzerland and South Korea; however, the nationwide roll-out will be slow until the infrastructure required to support it is in place. Samsung phones will likely have the capability first, with new Apple iPhones following.
What’s the impact?
It’s already causing quite a stir. The International Society of Doctors for the Environment claims 5G’s higher frequency and shorter wavelength could damage the environment and penetrate human cells, potentially heating body tissue if used long-term at high frequency. For now, they’re calling for more research.
You might have heard about #BREXIT
What’s the deal?
The long and short of it: Political propaganda hocus-pocus, numerous resignations, a divided government, a divided country, two and a half years of negotiations, two votes of no-confidence and the biggest failed agreement in UK political history has resulted in the government’s current apparent dead-lock.
When will it be over?
We’re no closer to a conclusion. But, whilst Britain waits for a deal (or no deal), or tries to buy more time with the EU, an interim lack of agreement brings uncertainty for the tech industry. The withdrawal is currently scheduled for March 29th 2019.
What’s the impact?
No one knows for sure. Right now, a good strategy is necessary to create opportunity for UK technology; but that requires clarity, and further delays will be hugely detrimental to business in 2019. Constellation AI founder, Tom Strange, appeared in UK Tech News in January to call out the government’s role in nurturing Britain’s technology sector in this turbulent time: “Ensuring that the UK remains a key player on the global technology stage will be crucial for the economy in the wake of Brexit. It’s vital that both the government and the technology giants establishing flagship offices here in the UK re-invest into the surrounding ecosystem for it to continue to thrive”. Hopefully, the country and the world will have an answer in March.
The EU vs Tech Giants
What’s happening?
The European Union elections take place on the 23rd of May this year, for the first time without a UK seat. Whatever the outcome of the elections, the EU Competition Commission is likely to scale up its regulation of the tech giants in 2019. Last year, Google received multi-billion fines for anti-competitive practices; this year, it’s thought the EU will focus heavily on privacy and data protection issues at Facebook and Amazon.
What’s the impact?
Whilst governments gradually set measures to limit the damage caused by tech giants abusing people’s information, the EU has a notoriously volatile relationship with the US government, so it’s unlikely that the Competition Commission will be lenient on US-based firms. Meanwhile, Facebook has lost public trust following a scandalous 2018.
Is it over for Facebook?
Facebook may have seen a sharp decline in younger users in the last few years, but the platform still holds many to ‘ransom’ with over a dozen years worth of pictures and memories. If these services are too integrated into our lives for us to abandon them, governing bodies need to keep them in check with stricter regulations. 2019 could make or break in the battle for regulating user protection; the question is: who’s David, and who’s Goliath?
Political and economic upheaval will dominate the UK in 2019, but is there any way to predict outcomes? We’d love to hear your opinion; comment below to share your predictions.