As I celebrate my tenth anniversary writing for the Oman Observer, I find myself reflecting on the profound technological shifts that have taken place over the past decade. When I first began contributing columns, my focus was primarily on startups and traditional businesses, drawing from my experience as a mentor to small and medium enterprises with Riyadha. Gradually, I expanded my scope to include finance and technology and by 2018, I found myself writing increasingly about blockchain and cryptocurrency.
I vividly recall a column in which I explored the potential utility of blockchain technology, envisioning a future where passports, educational records and medical data would all be migrated to blockchain-based systems.
At the time, I believed that blockchain held the key to solving many of society's issues. However, as the years have passed, I've come to realise that while blockchain and cryptocurrency can indeed support advancements in technology and finance, their impact on the world may not be as immediate or revolutionary as I once naively believed. If blockchain is to become the prevailing technology, it will likely take decades to truly transform our lives, if it ever does.
In stark contrast, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated just how quickly a low-hanging-fruit technology can penetrate every aspect of our existence. Within a mere two years of the public release of Chat GPT, there is virtually no one in the world who doesn't know what AI is and broadly what it can do for society. From children to the elderly, people everywhere are discovering tangible ways to interact with AI technology.
The creative industries, in particular, have blossomed thanks to AI. Tools like Adobe Sensei and Canva's AI-powered features enable designers to quickly generate layouts, color palettes and design elements, streamlining the creative process. AI-based platforms such as AIVA and Amper Music allow musicians to create original compositions and complete unfinished songs.
Video editing software now incorporates AI-powered tools that automate tasks such as colour grading and object removal. Game developers use AI-assisted tools to create more realistic non-player characters, while AI writing assistants help writers refine their work and overcome creative blocks.
Programmers, too, have become exponentially more efficient with the help of AI. Tools like DeepCode and Codota provide real-time suggestions for code optimisation and bug fixes, helping programmers write cleaner, more efficient code in less time. AI-driven testing tools automatically generate and run test cases, reducing the time and effort required for manual testing. Natural Language Processing libraries and frameworks enable programmers to more easily incorporate advanced language understanding capabilities into their applications.
News media outlets have also embraced AI, with entire sections now dedicated to AI-generated content. Media giants like The Washington Post and The Guardian use AI to automate the creation of routine news stories, freeing up journalists to focus on more complex and investigative pieces. News aggregators employ AI algorithms to curate and recommend personalised content, while fact-checking tools help identify and flag potential misinformation. AI-assisted data visualisation tools enable journalists to quickly create interactive and visually compelling data-driven stories.
Meanwhile, blockchain technology, despite being around for well over a decade, has struggled to make a clear statement about its efficacy and necessity in any industry. The world continues to function without widespread blockchain adoption. The most well-known element of blockchain technology is undoubtedly Bitcoin — not the fastest, most flexible, or best blockchain solution, yet it has become the standard by which everyone gauges what blockchain is. Ask a child or an elderly person about blockchain and you'll likely be met with vague, lost expressions. But ask about Bitcoin and everyone nowadays will tell you "$100k”.
(To be continued... Part 2)
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