If you learn this column, then you definately’re most likely conscious that I publish it – with out fail – each Sunday morning all year long. It’s designed to level out 5 items of expertise information through the week that particularly impacts enterprise house owners and managers and my causes for why they’re necessary Here are the ten tales I feel are probably the most impactful from 2023.

1 – AI was an enormous story, however a lawyer’s mistake was even larger.

Every huge expertise firm touted its AI plans and choices in 2023 and AI was one of the vital mentioned matters on company incomes calls in nearly each quarter. It’s all very thrilling. But one AI story has some sobering takeaways. The New York Times reported on legal professional Steven Schwartz, whose use of ChatGPT for a lawsuit backfired. To analysis some authorized historical past – for a case involving a person who sought compensation from an airline after an harm – Schwartz utilized ChatGPT to organize a authorized temporary that cited earlier instances – all of which have been pretend. Realizing his error Schwartz pleaded with the decide stating that he was unaware the AI would offer bogus info on account of his question. It didn’t prove nicely. (Source: Engadget)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

The essential takeaway is that the hype round all these new tremendous cool AI instruments will be thrilling and there’s no query that AI will likely be transformative. Some day. For now, as enterprise house owners and managers, we’ve to grasp that we shouldn’t be fully reliant on AI to switch people. Yes, AI is usually a nice assist. But in 2024 we should proceed to proceed with warning.

2 – Big tech firms are investing closely in AI, however true innovation will come from AI startups.

Joanna Glasner of Crunchbase reported on the numerous enhance in AI investments in only one yr. By comparability, investments in US startups have dropped throughout sectors. Glasner famous that between 2018 and 2022 AI investments hovered at a sure degree then out of the blue spiked this yr. The clarification consists of the shrinking pool of funding {dollars} to new ventures, however it’s additionally due to AI spurring numerous startups. (Source: Crunchbase)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Like all the opposite tech developments earlier than it – from Web 1.0 to crypto – my guess is that billions will likely be wasted in unhealthy investments or concepts that simply didn’t work out. But there will likely be various AI firms that won’t solely change the world however make monumental earnings for his or her buyers and create the subsequent technology of Zuckerbergs, Musks and Andreessens. And they may doubtless create superb instruments that can assist companies of all sizes be extra environment friendly and worthwhile.

3 – The “right to repair” motion is saving companies huge cash and creating new companies.

Apple introduced in December an replace to its Self Service Repair Program to “give users more transparency and autonomy to troubleshoot issues.” Tailored for these with environment friendly tech information and troubleshooting functionality, they’ll now entry the Apple Diagnostics device – obtainable on Apple merchandise within the US and Europe subsequent yr – that can give them the identical degree of experience as a licensed Apple technician. The device will even assist the establish what half must be repaired in addition to a testing perform. (Source: Apple News)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

It was just a few years in the past that customers have been pressured to ship units again to the producers for repairs, which was extra expensive, inefficient and time-consuming. Thanks to a motion of influencers, 2023 noticed extra tech firms bending and permitting us the appropriate to restore our personal merchandise which not solely helps get issues completed quicker however has opened up a cottage business of small companies performing this work.

4 – While huge knowledge breachers get the headlines, it’s small companies house owners who’re struggling extra.

In October, author Phil Muncaster shared necessary knowledge from the Identity Theft Resource Center, primarily based on a research completed of 551 enterprise house owners. Nearly three-quarters (73 p.c) mentioned they have been hit with a cyberattack final yr. Curiously – as Muncaster factors out – lower than 30 p.c comply with greatest practices akin to MFAs (multi-factor authentication). (Source: Infosecurity Magazine)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

As I wrote beforehand: nearly all of these breaches contain worker or buyer knowledge – which will be catastrophic not simply financially – it additionally impacts buyer belief because the respondents additionally shared. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency provides guidelines for small companies on implementing cybersecurity protocols.

5 – Both Google and Microsoft are within the technique of killing passwords.

It was reported all through 2023 that logging in with a password is coming to an finish on the Google community. The firm is switching over to passkeys – a expertise that makes use of biometrics (facial/print recognition) and PIN numbers – to simplify and pace up the sign-in course of. (Source: TechRadar)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

As I wrote in October, passkeys are phishing-proof and safer in that they use cryptographics (coded info) that makes the hacker’s job rather more tough. Google has began the method with the final word objective of changing password sign-ins with passkeys. They additionally famous passkeys are a welcome different and “spare people the headache of remembering all those numbers and special characters in passwords.” Microsoft and different tech firms are doing the identical. Which means the top of the standard password within the not-so-distant future.

6 – Finally! Apple will likely be supporting USB-C charger in iPhones.

Apple (lastly) switched up the charging technique for the brand new iPhone 15. Dating again to 2012, iPhones have been charged with lightning ports. Now – on account of a mandate permitted by the EU – digital units will likely be powered with USB-C chargers to “reduce electronic waste” as acknowledged in a 2022 press release. For longtime prospects of the iPhone, will probably be each an adjustment and a profit because the USB-C can be utilized for different Apple units. (Source: Fox Business)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Do I even must say? For workers and enterprise vacationers pressured to hold a bag stuffed with charging paraphernalia, this variation is lastly a transfer to normalcy.

7 – Threads debuts and creates one other channel for enterprise engagement.

Back in July, the favored picture/video sharing platform Instagram launched an app referred to as Threads. Instagram’s iteration of X/Twitter, Threads has been assessed as a robust competitor previous to its launch as a result of one if its main benefits was that it may migrate customers and their Instagram followers to seamlessly to the brand new platform. (Source: TechCrunch)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Will Zuckerberg defeat Musk? Since its launch, curiosity and engagement on Threads has cooled. But if Meta sticks with it, who is aware of? LinkedIn stays the place to be for these within the skilled world, however I imagine that each enterprise proprietor – together with me – needs to be maintaining an in depth eye on the brand new Threads social platform. That’s as a result of if Threads features a stable, common attraction and if our prospects and neighborhood are embracing it, then it could turn out to be a goal for our time.

8 – Microsoft is making migration to Windows 11 simpler.

In May, Mark Hachman of PCWorld wrote a characteristic on Microsoft’s latest product – Restore Apps for Windows 11. Designed to simplify the method of transferring knowledge from an outdated PC to a brand new one – Microsoft is eradicating the headache of discovering a option to migrate your paperwork, purposes and photos – proper down the association of your icons on the desktop. Users might want to register with a Microsoft account to get full entry Restore Apps options – and customers have the choice to deactivate on model new PCs. (Source: PCWorld)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Many companies will likely be migrating up from earlier variations of Microsoft Windows in 2024 and everyone knows what a possible headache it may be. My purchasers and others I do know within the IT world have informed me that it is a useful gizmo to make this migration simpler, which implies saving cash.

9 – IKEA is utilizing 100 drones in its warehouses.

The firm confirmed that 100 drones are at the moment in operation to streamline stock management and help staff with sure duties. The first drone was employed two years in the past with 100 now working in IKEA places throughout Europe. “Introducing drones and other advanced tools – such as, for example, robots for picking up goods – is a genuine win-win for everybody,” Tolga Öncu – Head of Retail at Ingka Group (IKEA)– mentioned in regards to the expertise that was developed in partnership with Verity–an organization that focuses on warehouse drone methods. (Source: INGKA)

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Drone expertise isn’t only for the navy or for sport lovers. It’s a rising device for a lot of companies, notably in development, actual property and now…warehousing. Drones can rely stock, verify for questions of safety, monitor worker actions and – quickly sufficient – use AI to collect info by way of video to assist create a greater stream of supplies. The value of drones are quickly reducing too, which implies extra small and mid sized companies will likely be shopping for them.

10 – Boston Dynamics and others are introducing new robotic capabilities.

In January it was reported that Atlas – probably the most superior humanoid robotic on this planet from Boston Dynamics – has new capabilities. Boston Dynamics just lately designed a set of fingers and – in a current YouTube video – confirmed off Atlas doing bodily work. Up up to now, the robotic’s main skills included locomotive duties akin to strolling. The current model of Atlas has fingers with grips to permit it to choose issues up and carry out duties. (Source: ARS Technica).

Why that is necessary for your enterprise:

Robotics are steaming forward and their prices proceed to say no. Boston Dynamics is among the leaders however they’re not the one sport on the town. The development business, for instance, is taking progressive steps with the assistance of AI to enhance security and in the reduction of on handbook labor. Thomas Insights reported on 5 key areas the place synthetic intelligence is in operation. Hadrian X – developed by the Australian expertise agency FBR – is a bricklaying robotic that has been documented to put bricks each 45 seconds. Mechanical fits – referred to as “exoskeletons” – are being developed for development staff to extend their endurance and mobility. As AI matures so will robotics and that’s already having an impression on companies, each huge and small, who’re struggling to seek out staff.

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