Best of 2019: Xische Reports
A look back at the most essential topics and perspectives Xische Reports covered this year.
By Xische Editorial, December 9, 2019
Source: freesoulproduction/Shutterstock
This year we published more than 60 articles and 35 newsletters at Xische Reports on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to digital culture. It was a particularly fast year when it comes to technology developments. Each and every week, we explored the critical issues facing the sector and how it relates to our home markets. From the rise (and fall) of Facebook’s digital currency to the latest innovations in smart city administration, we covered every major development from Xische’s curated perspective. This week, we rounded up the topics that captured the spirit of 2019 and will leave a lasting impression as we head into 2020. Happy reading and have a great year ahead.
Artificial Intelligence reaches a tipping point
Given the innovation taking place in artificial intelligence (AI), we engaged with sector many times throughout the year.
Instead of looking at AI research through the prism of competition, we need to consider how we can collaborate to push the technology forward.
As AI systems and machine learning integrate into the fabric of daily life, the sector is in need of sensible regulation that doesn’t stifle innovation. We have an idea who can lead.
Facial recognition technology is taking over the planet and AI is a critical component. How can we use this powerful technology for good while ensuring it is not abused by opportunistic companies?
Art is subjective, reactionary, and culturally specific. AI is objective, mathematical and universal. What happens when the two collide?
Blockchain cinches a record year
While the price of Bitcoin was volatile as ever, blockchain technology had one of its best years on record.
Of all the applications for blockchain, fitness tracking and health solution has perked our interest.
The global remittance market is ripe for disruption and Facebook is angling for entry with its own blockchain digital currency. It is time for regional players to make a move.
The Ethereum blockchain is running out of space. Could global governments, a former foe, save blockchain’s future?
Policy-makers get serious about data
One issue that we couldn’t avoid in 2019 was data. We are producing more of it than ever and that means the debate over how to protect it heated up this year.
With debates about data regulation ragging, we found an easy solution: innovation.
In a two-part series, we wrote about the rise of super applications and what they say about the future of data and the internet itself.
This year marked the first anniversary of the European Union’s ambitious GDPR data. How has it worked out?
As consumers learn about their data and its myriad uses, we found the idea behind data dignity to be worth more discussion.
We are grappling with our new digital culture
With all this talk about technology, we devoted some serious thought to what it means to be reliant on tech all the time. How has digital culture changed society?
A personal favourite in the office was the rise of paper goods as an escape from too much smartphone usage. Many of us still yearn for the luxury of paper.
We also found solace in the serendipity of libraries. Shifting through the stacks of a library or a bookshop, you are bound to find something you weren’t looking for.
These pieces lead us to deep thinking about educational technological and thoughts on the nature of the classrooms of the future.
Small states lead industry 4.0
One of the joys in thinking through critical issues in technology and governance in the UAE is watching the rise of small states. What we like to call industry 4.0 is an exploration into how small states are able to innovate on a scale not previously seen in the international community.
In one of the last pieces of the year, we looked at how the state of California can look to smaller countries for help in innovating solutions for serious challenges.
One of our most popular pieces of the year looked at how the UAE’s strong relationship with India and China is a sign of the shifting global center of innovation.
Payments. We wrote a great deal about payments. That’s because the UAE is poised to provide a global payment solution to solve the challenges of the future. This is where Dubai’s next unicorn is going to emerge.
Smart cities transition from planning to impact
As always, we devoted special attention to smart cities. The topic is a favourite because it encompasses all the strands of what we write about from technology to governance.
In our first annual smart cities index, we set out to determine which cities are the best at adapting technology and highlighting the human experience; where collaboration thrives; and which cities remain true to their roots.
For the first time in decades, the lion’s share of global GDP growth has shifted from the West to emerging markets, bringing new nexus points of the global economy into sharp focus.
You can’t discuss smart cities these days without mention of 5G. But instead of focusing on the latest telecom advert promising faster speeds, we need to focus the discussion on 5G around the politics of data.
