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Guest Column: Tech trends & their ability to change the game in 2018
Whether you’re a fan of technology or merely sifting through the massive puddle of everyday innovations, you can’t help but wonder at the developments that lie in the future. The world we live in has changed from “is it possible” to “how better can it get” with smartphones and technology changing the way consumers purchase and utilise services.
Although several e-commerce companies were successful in coping up with the changes in tech trends in 2017, it’s now time to look ahead and strategise to tackle the upcoming challenges of 2018.
Here are some of the key trends in the e-commerce and technology space that might be a game changer in 2018:
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain
The use of cryptography in currencies to create alternative digital assets is the latest trend everyone is talking about and it would be interesting to see how it changes the scenario of asset development in 2018. Bitcoin, being the most notable crypto currency, has become a global phenomenon but at the same time a lot of people are still trying to understand its impact better. 2018 could focus on the creation of the next level of software and products based on the concept of blockchain across various industries, including cybersecurity, healthcare, financial services and more for a larger impact across the globe.
Interactive content
In 2018, too, brands need to continue to dive into creative storytelling to drive conversions and differentiate. With Facebook’s recent announcement of prioritising friends over publishers, brands are more likely to adopt interesting content strategies that drive shareability to stay competitive. While original content is the key, curated content in the forms of recommendations, reviews and expert opinions along with outstanding video content will make the audience come back.
Improved and better use of artificial intelligence (AI)
In 2018, use of machine learning and artificial intelligence is expected to broaden horizons and move ahead of just automating our daily activities. The use of AI for personal interaction, self-perception and brain simulation and understanding and predicting consumer behaviour better could be one of the biggest trends of 2018. It would be interesting to see how many leading digital brands leverage the power of machine learning to unlock its potential.
Voice search and personalisation
It has been reported that approximately 40 per cent of millennials have used a voice assistant prior to making a purchase. Furthermore, with precise utilisation of the voice search feature with developed preference for local languages and accents, consumers and ecommerce retailers both are bound to reap its benefits this year. The well-informed user of 2018 need not be taught about what is right and what is wrong. The changing trends rather induce the brands to focus on personalised experiences instead. Helping the users to do the same things in a better manner and easing the reach of what users want is what would define the trend of customisation in 2018.
The author is the CEO of Gadgets 360. The views expressed are personal and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
