Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Kate O'Neill , Technology expert
How could you describe your career path in few words?
I started my career in content strategy, information architecture, and user experience — although none of that terminology was widely in use at the time. I have had the good fortune to be part of a series of digital firsts: I was the first content manager at Netflix as one of the company’s first 100 employees; I built the first intranet at Toshiba. And so on. For me there’s always been an emphasis on digital innovation but an even greater emphasis on how people use digital tools and services, and what good those tools are adding to people’s lives.
What are the highlights of the key digital innovation trends for 2023? Can you give us some major examples?
It would be pretty hard to miss the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning right now: that’s a pretty major trend that is not likely to fade out anytime soon. And while conversations about the metaverse have cooled somewhat. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of it. Especially as Apple is expected to announce AR/VR glasses, perhaps as soon as this year. For a company deeply focused on design and user experience innovation, you have to assume they’re going to get a lot of things right that previous entrants in the wearables space haven’t quite nailed. But beyond all of that consumer tech, we should expect to see continued momentum in enterprise digital transformation, as well as greater adoption of automation services in B2B and B2C alike, such as AI-powered chatbots in customer service.
Based on your experiences, what are the impactful trends in digital innovation that are becoming more important in the context of 2023?
With all of the generative AI hype, we have yet to really take stock of what this means for cybersecurity and data privacy, the continued growth of the Internet of Things and what greater automation means there, and the development of more advanced blockchain applications such as identity verification and authentication. These supportive trends will create high value for organizations by enabling them to better protect their data, improve operational efficiency, and develop new revenue streams.
In your opinion, how can they create high value for organizations?
Organizations can create high value from these trends by investing in the right technologies, developing strong partnerships with technology vendors, and ensuring they have the necessary skills and talent to implement these technologies effectively. It's also important to have a clear digital strategy that aligns with the overall business strategy and to continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of these technologies on the organization.
