Will there be a digital Euro? We will find out this Spring, as the European Central Bank is planning to decide whether to move ahead with the preparatory work to launch a digital Euro. This is a complex project intended to facilitate easier payments while still sharing the foundations of the existing financial system. Following the report from the Central Bank will be a public consultation taking place later this year. If feedback is positive, a pilot will be launched to test the viability of the digital Euro and provide further practical knowledge about a digital Euro.
How much is technology becoming part of our business and professional life? More and more companies are implementing various technologies and according to a recent study, over the next five years this trend will continue. Manufacturing companies intend to further increase technology adoption in the following areas: Sensors & Automatic Identification (80% of respondents); Internet of Things (78%); Robotics & Automation (75%); Wearable & Mobile Technology (70%); Artificial Intelligence (60%), Blockchain (58%); Autonomous Vehicles & Drones (55%); and 3D Printing (50%).
Another report looking at technology adoption found 80% of respondents intend to implement: Cloud Computing; Big-data Analytics; Internet of Things; Cyber Security; Artificial Intelligence; Text/Voice processing; and e-Commerce. Other technological focus areas are People, Telehealth for remote workers, and Robotics for repetitive white-collar jobs (such as basic accounting, purchase order processing, expense approval, reading X-rays).
There appears to be few constraints to the impact technology will have on peoples’ lives.
Will we soon have the ability to check-in at a space hotel? It would appear so, as an American tech company, Gateway Foundation, plans to deliver a ‘space experience’ before the end of this decade. The ‘Voyager’ station is currently in development, with the aim to provide rooms for 400 people. Its circular spinning frame is intended to allow the structure to emulate an artificial gravity level similar to Mars (40% of Earth’s own gravity). The station plans to offer ‘cruise ship-like’ opportunities to eat, relax and work, including a health spa, cinemas, and bars. The frame of the station will accommodate twenty 65×40 foot space pods, which act as rented ‘villas’ for interested individual and companies (like NASA), to work and live.