This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
As we bid farewell to the past decade, it's clear that technology has left an indelible mark on our lives. The past 10 years have witnessed a plethora of innovations that have revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with one another.
Google and Apple were among the first to test fully autonomous cars in the early 2010s. Since then, major car manufacturers and ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft have followed suit, with driverless cabs being tested in some US cities. The technology is projected to make roads safer, with an estimated 90% reduction in traffic-caused casualties.
The rise of smartphones and 4G networks has enabled the proliferation of popular apps like Spotify, Google Maps, Twitter, and Snapchat. Today, many companies rely on Slack as their internal communication app of choice, thanks to its intuitive interface, custom channels, and emojis.
Public Wi-Fi has become a standard in nearly all public areas, making it easier for people to stay connected on the go. Online shopping and banking have also become increasingly popular, with e-commerce soaring and creating new business opportunities.
The mobile money service, M-Pesa, has revolutionized the way people do business, regardless of their economic class. Although it's only 12 years old, M-Pesa has celebrated its 10th anniversary and continues to transform the financial landscape.
The media industry has been significantly disrupted by technology, with content providers scrambling to get online and distribute content in real-time. Social media has enabled anyone with a phone to spark a ripple of fast-flowing information, its authenticity notwithstanding.
As we look to the future, it's clear that technology will continue to dominate the headlines and boardroom talks. The Internet of Things, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data will shape the next decade, wiping out many jobs and creating new ones.
