ET GBS: Emergence of Virtual and Augmented Reality to exceed all technological expectations, says Randi Zuckerberg

By Randi Zuckerberg
“We’ve seen technology change the way that the world thinks and communicates over the past couple of decades, and I think that we are getting ready for another major shift with the emergence of Virtual and Augmented Reality. No matter how much people think they know what is coming, these revolutionary technologies are likely to exceed all expectations with applications canvassing social media, entertainment, business and much more. The following are some digital trends:

THE RISE OF THE ENTRE-PLOYEE

Many young people want to be entrepreneurs, and employees are catering to this to retain top talent. Companies like Google allow employees to spend 20% of their time on their own projects, and other businesses are setting up startup labs for employees. There’s also a rising interest in all-night hackathons where employees brainstorm ideas. A little company called Facebook benefited from them.

THE MAKER MOVEMENT

3D printing is on the rise (did you know you could print pancakes, make-up and houses? Us neither). Within the next 12 months, we’re likely to be printing functional body parts, providing endless possibilities in the healthcare industry.

REINVENTING RETAIL

Retail is no longer about walking in and out of shops. People are buying shoes on their phones or tablet; one jeans retailer allows shoppers to scan the QR code on a pair of jeans they like, and then a robot (yes, we mean an ACTUAL robot, not a tight-lipped teen) brings out the jeans for them to try on. Pop-up shops and vending machines are even selling Chanel handbags (we’ll take that over a Diet Coke any day).

GAMIFICATION FOR MOTIVATION

Apps are making a game out of motivating us. An alarm clock that donates money to charity when you snooze? An app that makes you run faster because zombies are chasing you? Getting shamed on social media for missing your gym session? Yup, you can do them all.

CONNECTIONS ARE CURRENCY

Have loads of Instagram followers? You might be able to stay in a hotel for free. Yup, Randi says businesses are now doing transactions based on your social-media following.

Some restaurants are even waiving the bill if you’ve showed them you’ve uploaded a photo of your meal and tagged them on social media. Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

In general tech is great positive force in our lives — as a working mom, with two very young boys, I couldn’t do 80% of what I do without it. Tech is an overwhelmingly a positive influence, but I do find in my own life, and when I talk to other people, it’s harder and harder to have a conversation with some where you get undivided attention.

We are constantly distracted, bombarded with so many different forms of communication, We have to do so much multi-tasking because you are reachable on so many different platforms, and that can really have some consequences on your happiness and wellbeing.

(Randi Zuckerberg is CEO of Zuckerberg Media and will be speaking at GBS 2016 in Delhi on January 29-30)