The Digital Convergence

A sentiment that I often hear is why do all these technological advancements feel like they are coming at break-neck speed all at once.

You might be someone who finds that the hype around technologies such as the Metaverse & Artificial Intelligence feels familiar and yet somehow different at the same time. That's not surprising, a lot of the lexicon related to these technological advancements isn't new but it is being applied in new ways with new meanings.

For example, we've had Virtual Reality technology for 30 years, virtual worlds (Metaverses) for almost 20 years, decentralized data technology for debatably even longer, and Artificial Intelligence for arguably longer than that.

But, here's what's different, it's not just one advancement in isolation that is transforming the digital landscape, but a convergence of technological advancements that are all interconnected, underpin one another, and are being developed in parallel to one another. I like to refer to this as 'The Digital Convergence'.

These advancements include but are not limited to:

• Decentralization: a way to distribute power, authority, and control across a network.
• The Metaverse/Spatial Web: a re-platforming of digital experiences.
• Web3: reinvents how data moves through digital systems.
• Artificial Intelligence: digitally perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence.

What has changed in recent years is the digital infrastructure and the growing capability for these technologies to be interoperable.

Alongside technological developments, global attitudes have been dramatically shifted by the pandemic lockdowns. These include the pervasiveness of remote work, globalization and online socialization, which make the advancements of these technologies relevant and significant to the digital age we live in. 

You might find all these terms to be a bit 'buzzy' or have negative connotations but I think it's important to recognize how the recent coverage of this emerging technological convergence mirrors the inception of the internet, back when it was described as a 'passing fad' and that everything online is a scam.

I'd like you to ponder your answer to these two questions:

• If, at the inception of the internet, you were to know what it would later become, would you have invested time, energy, and resources into getting online sooner?
• If, at the inception of social media, you were to know what it would later become, would you have invested time, energy, and resources into adopting and leveraging it sooner?

Beyond the buzzwords and the hype, no one would deny the walls between our virtual and material worlds are becoming further eroded and the power of what we are able to do digitally is increasing exponentially.

So, if I were to tell you now that we are on the precipice of the next evolution of the internet and e-commerce, would it be the right time for you to invest time, energy, and resources into these digital technological advancements?

Well, consider this your heads up as that's exactly what I'm telling you. Just like at the inception of the internet when we move beyond the haze of bubbles and scandals, it is a new digital revolution that will transform the way we interact virtually in ways you can't even imagine.

One thing above all else is certain, this convergence of digital technologies will have a monumental impact on our social, economic, and political infrastructure. It is important that people from all walks of life are included in that discussion as everyone will be impacted.

I don't want to be presumptuous but I'm guessing you might appreciate a point in the right direction to learn more. Let me help.

I've set up an inclusive community centered around Decentralisation, the Metaverse, Web3 & AI. This learning collective aims to create a greater sense of community, collaboration & resource-sharing surrounding these emerging technologies.

To find out more or to join our community visit www.distributedrepublic.xyz.

You can also connect with me directly.