Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Gesa Schneider, Senior Territory Manager Central Europe I Entrepreneur I Sustainability Expert
How could you describe your career path in few words?
As an experienced executive in the tech industry, I am driven by entrepreneurship and have a determined mindset with a passion for 3D printing, the Circular Economy, and Sustainable Manufacturing. Throughout my career, I have executed various ideas in both startups and corporates, gaining hands-on experience in all levels of the entrepreneurship sphere, from strategy and business development to product management, customer acceptance, and stakeholder engagement.
As the founder and former CEO of Circuteria, a digital platform for sustainable materials solutions, I am a leading thinker on the transformative role of emerging technologies, circular practices, and innovative business models in combating climate change. I have broad international experience in the 3D printing industry and sustainable materials, and have won various competitions and hackathons in Berlin's startup scene.
In addition to speaking at conferences, I maintain a blog (circular3dprinting.com) about the ecological benefits of 3D printing, circularity, and innovative business models. My vision is to unlock the full potential of the Circular Economy and make product manufacturing more sustainable.
What are the highlights of the key digital innovation trends for 2022? Can you give us some major examples?
As we look back, there were many highlights and exciting digital innovations in the last year. Some of the major trends we saw in 2022 were:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): With the increasing availability of data and advancements in technology, AI and ML were more prevalent in 2022. This includes the use of chatbots, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics in various industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail.
Blockchain: Blockchain technology gained traction in 2022, particularly in areas such as finance, supply chain management, and cybersecurity. This included the use of IoT for predictive maintenance, asset tracking, and remote monitoring.
Cloud Computing: Cloud computing continued to be a major trend, with increased adoption in industries such as healthcare, finance, and education. This included the use of cloud for storage, data analytics, and software development.
Cybersecurity: As the world became increasingly digitized, cybersecurity became even more critical. There was increased focus on cybersecurity, including the use of advanced threat detection and response systems, as well as increased investment in employee training and education.
Remote work and digital collaboration: With the Covid pandemic forcing many organizations to adopt remote work, there was increased demand for digital collaboration tools such as video conferencing, project management software, and online whiteboards.
Digital payments: With more people shopping online, Ecommerce continued to grow. There was also increased adoption of digital payment methods such as mobile wallets and contactless payments.
Based on your experiences, what are the impactful trends in digital innovation that are becoming more important in the context of 2023?
AI is already used everywhere. ChatGPT and other AI applications have now reached the masses and are increasingly being used in business as well. Customers no longer consider efficiency and quickness as extras but are expected in every situation and interaction imaginable. The bar for excellence will keep rising beyond what can be accomplished by a human team working alone as AI and ML become more commonplace. The newest trend in AI is Auto-GPT, an experimental, open-source Python application that uses GPT-4 to act autonomously. This means that AutoGPT can learn from its own experiences and feedback and improve its performance over time. Businesses can leverage on these cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance their business processes and strategies, ultimately leading to a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Another key trend we can expect for this year is that the digital supply chain becomes more significant for businesses: 3D printing is transforming the traditional supply chain by enabling decentralized production. Digital files can be shared and printed on-demand, reducing the need for physical inventory and logistics. This allows companies to produce goods on-demand, rather than relying on centralized production and distribution centers.
In your opinion, how can they create high value for organizations?
The evolving digital landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for organizations in 2023 as the digital transformation trends continue to evolve. Digital innovations can create high value for organizations by improving efficiency, reducing costs, increasing productivity, and enhancing customer experience. Organizations use digital supply chains to produce faster, reduce inventory costs, and respond to demand changes more quickly.
AI can help organizations make better decisions by analyzing large amounts of data. An AI system can be particularly useful in automating manual processes and quickly accessing relevant information, thus freeing up employee’s time to focus on other areas that can positively impact the company. Furthermore, AI systems can operate around the clock without being limited by working hours or time zones. However, the potential benefits are not limited to AI alone. By adding ML layers and learning from the data it accumulates over time, other programs can continuously improve their performance. A ML system can quickly uncover insights, such as which clients perform better, with greater accuracy as it accumulates more data over time.
Organizations can expect to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experiences as a result of these advancements. These trends must, however, be approached cautiously and ethical implications must be considered.