ARLINGTON, Va.—The last year has brought numerous, massive shifts in how people conduct their daily lives—professionally and personally—because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost nothing has been untouched by this impact. However, on the positive, technology has leapt to the forefront in many situations and provided new ways to adapt not only to our current challenges, but provide new opportunities forward as well.

This was part of the key message from Gary Shapiro, Consumer Technology Association president and CEO, as he officially kicked off the virtual CES 2021 (after an exclusive media day on Jan. 11) during a live early morning presentation on Jan. 12.

“The last 12 months have been a challenge like no other for everyone in the world,” said Shapiro. “But in this time of uncertainty, technology has been a stabilizing, unifying force, keeping us connected to our schools, our jobs, our doctors, our families and our friends. The pandemic has sparked astounding innovation in technology.”

He specifically cites technologies like AR/VR, videoconferencing, digital health and more. Many of these technologies will be areas of focus during the 54th, but first virtual, CES conference.

Providing brief previews to some of the main areas of focus for the conference were Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and IBM Global Chief Technology Officer Bridget Karlin. Nadella spoke on the new realities of working and how people and companies will need to adapt, while Karlin shared some details on just how far AI technology can reach.

Other technology trends that Shapiro mentioned during the presentation were the need for high-speed broadband and 5G deployment to more homes, the increased development of IoT technology and the removal of what Shapiro called “unneeded and outmoded rules.”

Beyond innovation, the technology industry has also been making a concentrated effort to increase diversity. CTA announced in 2019 that it would invest in female and minority-focused investment funds to help support this push, with Shapiro saying they have invested in five such funds since then. In addition, he announced a new investment in Plum Alley, a New York-based firm that focuses on advancing technology and health care companies.

Karen Chupka, executive vice president of CES, announced during the presentation the winners of CES’ “World Bank Global Tech Challenge,” a series of programs of competitions designed to showcase how technology impacts sustainable development, with a specific focus on healthcare and bridging the gender divide. After receiving more than 1,000 applications, which were whittled down to 15 finalists, Butterfly Networks, Tricog and Micromentor were announced as the winners.

Chupka also announced that CES is expanding its partnership with World Bank Group to recognize individuals that advocate for the advancement of technology in the developing world for CES 2022.

“Tech is our tool. Let’s get safer, smarter, healthier and happier. We can be more resilient, more compassionate and more empowered,” Shapiro concluded. “And now, we must act, innovate and unite. Technology enables this transformation. An opportunity for our industry to show the world that tech is solving some of today’s and tomorrow’s biggest challenges.”

The full presentation is available to watch on demand through CES 2021’s virtual home. 

HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND—Research firm Juniper Research dusted off its crystal ball this month and released what it’s predicting to be the top 10 tech trends of 2018.

1. Amazon & Facebook Lead OTT Bids For Major Sporting Rights

While over-the-top (OTT) sports coverage has been limited to streaming games that are also simulcast by broadcasters, recent bids by the two companies for rights to pro soccer indicate this likely won’t be the case much longer.

“Amazon’s key card here is Amazon Prime,” according to Juniper in its report. “Not only would it gain revenues from new Amazon Prime customers … but additionally revenues derived from retail sales by those customers via the Prime channel. This significantly reduces the number of new customers it would require to cover the costs of a rights package.”

Noted the research firm: “A successful Amazon bid would be a game changer, and would almost certainly encourage it, and its VoD competitors, to mount further bids. Ultimately this would set them up to bid for the biggest prizes of all, the rights to major US sporting events, which are next up for grabs from 2020 onwards.”

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2. Apple, Facebook & Google Bring Social Payments To The Masses

Consumers have become increasingly more trusting of social media and messaging payment services, and launches from the tech trio will accelerate adoption in 2018. The total number of mobile P2P transactions will approach 90 billion in 2018, predicted Juniper, valued at nearly $590 billion.

3. AI & Blockchain to Power Numerous Fintech & Insurance Solutions

The research firm expects blockchain — a digital public ledger of digital currency like bitcoin — will transcend traditional banking applications into such areas as money transferring and digital ID verification.

4. Edge Compuiting to Fast Track the IoT 

Edge computing, a method of data processing, will work in tandem with Cloud computing to hasten IoT’s presence in all avenues of technology.

5. Facial Recognition Applications Surge

It’s not just the iPhone X: We can expect to see the technology used in marketing campaigns, enabling brands to provide recommendations to shoppers.

Added Juniper: “We also think that we will start to see more applications of facial recognition to enable invisible payments, such as those employed in Amazon Go, to reduce the level of in-store friction still further.”

6. The Rise of Robo-Advisors & App-Based Investments 

Digital-minded millennials will be more likely to participate in fintech in 2018, spurred on by artificial intelligence. “The use of the smartphone app as a medium,” said Juniper, “combined with the rise of digital-only challenger banks will attract users traditionally discouraged by financial services.”

7. Machine Learning Coming to Verify Your Identity 

Using ML tech to verify customers’ identifies will advance in 2018, said Juniper, especially in the U.K. where changing regulations are hastening adoption.

8. Chinese Cards & Wallets Achieve Scale in Western Markets

High spend from the tourist trade is motivating Chinese payment services to partner with retailers, point-of-sale and transfer providers in the United States and Europe, said Juniper.

9. Smart Toys Educating the Masses

Tech toys will finally receive their due, supported by product launches from major companies like Lego and Anki.

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10. Wireless Charging Market Moves Up a Gear

The Qi wireless-charging format received a major shot in the arm over the AirFuel Alliance this year, thanks in no small part to Apple’s inclusion of Qi in the iPhone 8 and X. While AirFuel is expected to power larger devices vs. Qi-powered smartphones and tablets, Juniper said this may not be the case for very long. 

This story first appeared on TVT's sister publication TWICE.