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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1451520
value. These digital tokens may be used to buy physical things such as real-life paintings, or virtual assets like digital art, in-app purchases and even virtual properties. The Frankfurt School Blockchain Centre predicts a US$1.5 trillion (£1.1 trillion) market for tokenised assets in Europe over the next three years. Real estate, debt, bonds, shares, copyrights, real art, virtual art and collectibles are all examples of assets that may be tokenised. This is undoubtedly a huge step towards achieving one of cryptocurrency’s main promises of financial inclusivity. Investing in alternative or traditional assets is sometimes beyond reach or too expensive. Crowdfunding and Fintech – financial technology used to deliver automated and improved financial services – will allow investors of all sizes to engage in a wide range of assets. 4. AI growth in food and HR services AI could well change the way we conceptualise, create and enjoy food or look for a job. Michael Spranger, COO of Sony’s artificial intelligence team, explains that labour shortages have led many organisations to use AI to broaden the way they evaluate and assess job applicants. He also notes that some of the most exciting applications of AI in gastronomy will enhance the imagination and creativity of chefs and culinary experts beyond what is possible today. And robots like Flippy are already flipping burgers at McDonalds and other restaurants. 5. Increased connectivity = more digital transformation 5G and the new Wi-Fi 6 standard will enable faster connection – crucial if the world is to embrace these new digital trends. Jerry Paradise, VP of product management for Chinese tech company Lenovo, has said 5G and Wi-Fi 6 are about more than just speed: “Future applications will include smart cities, the internet of things, and vehicle-to-vehicle communications – which would ideally improve traffic flow and safety.” According to Lenovo, working from home will grow more “hybrid” as consumers and organisations continue to think beyond the office. A large majority of IT executives expect to work outside the office in future, with smaller and smarter devices, as well as cordless and noise-cancelling headphones. Hybrid employees may participate in video meetings and conduct phone calls not just from home, but anywhere. 6. New workplace, new skills With the workplace set to change, skills will be next. According to the World Economic Forum, in 2022, new occupations will account for 27% of big corporate employee bases, while technologically outmoded positions will decline from 31% to 21%. The shift in the division of labour between humans, computers and algorithms has the potential to remove 75 million current job openings while generating 133 million new ones. Data analysts, software and application developers, e-commerce specialists and social media specialists will be in high demand. Many “human” jobs, such as customer service, organisational development and innovation management, are expected to grow. So, far from “taking our jobs”, AI will create jobs and ensure employment across an array of different fields.