Tech trends that will rule 2019
People will witness commercial advances of 5G (fifth generation) mobile technology in 2019 along with six others that will together dominate the technological industry and consumption of digital services across the world.
This year people will spend more time on screens, the usage of artificial intelligence will increase largely, and industrial customers of internet of things will witness transition from prototypes, according to a report of Telenor Research, an arm of Telenor Group.
Mobile-driven green technology has been creating awareness among consumers, it said.
Telenor Group is the parent company of Bangladesh's largest mobile phone operator Grameenphone.
The report points out that transition from text-based chatbots to voice-activated ones and advanced algorithms will enable the creation of doctored photos and videos or deepfake content.
Chatbot is a computer programme that simulates human conversation through artificial intelligence, while deepfakes are manipulated digital videos that overlay another person's face onto a body or change what people actually said.
“Telenor Research believes that advanced algorithms will enable the creation of doctored photos and videos or deepfake content so advanced that it would be difficult to differentiate between what's real and what's fake in the digital world.”
“2019 will also see internet service providers, operators and regulators look seriously into mitigating deepfake content and widespread public awareness campaigns against it.”
As Bangladesh continues its journey in attaining its vision of a Digital Bangladesh, the country is expected to experience these new global trends, said a panel of speakers yesterday at a programme while unveiling the report at Grameenphone office in Dhaka.
Speakers said the world of technology is constantly evolving and they think that the tech pendulum is swinging in that direction in 2019. These technologies have already begun their journey in Bangladesh and their usage would accelerate in the coming days in order to take the country towards digitalisation, they said.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Michael Foley, chief executive officer of Grameenphone, said: “It is a great sign that Bangladesh is adapting quickly to global innovations and upcoming global trends mentioned in the report.”
The report clearly points out how industries, companies and startups across the country should prepare themselves, he said. “With this integration between technology, lifestyle and industries, we can expect to see revolutionary digital services emerge in the country and the evolution of a true digital eco-system.”
Speakers also said with the growing digitalisation, security concerns would also deepen. Bjorn Hansen, vice-president of Telenor Research, presented the report.
Hasan Rahman Ratan, managing director of Datasoft Manufacturing and Assembly Inc Ltd, and Hussain Elius, CEO of Pathao, were also present.
