P.S. 20 years ago, my lecturer told me we would all have smartphones with touch screens, and we thought it was just a fantasy. Now I’m sitting in my self-driving car chatting with ChatGPT as if there is someone on the other side. I don’t know what we will discuss next year, but today, let’s talk about facts.

The 5 Most Surprising Tech Trends of 2025

Biotechnology Breakthroughs: From Theory to Reality

This field has always been more about theories and fantasies, but not this year. While AI dominates headlines, biotechnology is quietly achieving breakthroughs.

• Lab-grown heart patches are already in the trial phase. Engineered heart tissue now integrates with damaged heart muscle within weeks, restoring 40% of cardiac function in post-heart attack patients. Can you imagine a future where a heart attack no longer means permanent damage?

• Synthetic bacteria can clean microplastic pollution. This scalable solution may put an end to the ethereal struggle of plastic pollution. Each synthetic bacteria colony can process 50 tons of microplastic waste annually in a square kilometer, breaking it down into harmless organic compounds.

• CRISPR 3.0 can achieve single-cell precision. The next-generation CRISPR targets specific neurons in brain tissue and treats neurological disorders through ultra-precise DNA modification. This can be the future for treating Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and rare genetic brain disorders.

• The first bioengineered human embryo reaches early development. The most controversial news that raised ethical debates is the reality. Scientists have grown a synthetic embryo without an egg or sperm, which has been virtually impossible. The innovation will help understand miscarriages and genetic diseases before birth. No one knows how it will be used in the future.

• A synthetic biology startup designs self-repairing clothing. Sustainable fashion is outdated. The new-era solution is self-repairing clothes with engineered bacteria that activate when tears occur, producing new fibers to heal damage within hours. This technology could reduce 92 million tons of textile waste every year.

Living Intelligence: The Great Convergence

The most fascinating trend isn’t about one technology but a blend of three. AI provides processing and decision-making, advanced sensors enable environmental perception, and bioengineering allows biological integration. Together, they create systems that interact with and adapt to the physical world.

For example, AlphaFold Server contains 200 million protein structures, accelerating drug discovery from years to months.

Real-world impact: Healthcare companies can combine AI diagnostics with continuous biometric monitoring. Retailers can create environments that sense and respond to customer behavior and needs in real time. This isn’t science fiction; it’s happening now.

Nuclear Power: Tech Giants Become Power Companies

Tech companies have a new “interest”: investing in nuclear power, particularly in carbon-free energy to power massive AI systems. The most significant event is Microsoft’s Crane Clean Energy Center, which will become its data center to cover AI’s massive energy demands.

Why do you need this information? Because every question asked to ChatGPT or Gemini is energy, a lot of energy. Imagine there are about 800 million weekly OpenAI users. Each prompt uses 0.4 watt-hours of electricity. Multiply that out, and you get 320 million watt-hours or 320 megawatt-hours, in total. That’s approximately the amount of electricity 30 average U.S. homes use in an entire year. Or about the energy output of a mid-sized wind farm running for one hour.

Software companies are becoming energy producers to support their technologies.

Metamaterials: Engineering Physics Itself

While most people have never heard of metamaterials (which is absolutely normal), this technology may be as transformative as semiconductors. Those substances are designed at the microscopic level with properties that transcend natural limitations, manipulating light, sound, heat, and mechanical stress.

Dr. Nader Engheta of the University of Pennsylvania explains: “In metamaterials, we go beyond natural arrangements to a new level of organization. We design our own collection of tiny structures using multiple materials. The difference is, we can create new properties that are not found in nature.”

The crazy part? AI compresses metamaterials development timelines from decades to days or even hours. Acoustic metamaterials can reduce sound transmission by 94%. Buildings can regulate their own temperature without external energy. Infrastructure can adapt to weather extremes. The applications are endless, from construction, energy, telecommunications, and every physical industry.

Cislunar Economy: The $100 Billion Space Frontier

This looks as futuristic as it sounds. The space between Earth and the Moon is becoming humanity’s newest economic zone. And while we don’t quite realize how they would monetize it, private companies have already invested over $100 billion in the discovery of lunar water ice at the poles, rare earth elements, and the potential for zero-gravity manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical compounds, semiconductor crystals, and fiber optics can be created in space with properties impossible to achieve on Earth. SpaceX’s Starship, Blue Origin’s orbital stations, and China’s International Lunar Research Station are building the infrastructure.

The 5 Most Popular and Impactful Trends

Agentic AI: From Tools to Autonomous Actors

AI has changed from content generators to autonomous decision-makers. The term “AI assistant” will be replaced with “agentic AI,” which sets its own goals, makes independent decisions, executes complex strategies, and adapts based on outcomes. Scary?

Why this is a trend: Over 70% of enterprises using AI agents have already seen increased efficiency in automating certain business processes (Stanford HAI Survey). In financial services, AI now handles fraud detection, optimizes portfolios, and assesses risk autonomously in real time. In healthcare, AI diagnoses with 85%+ accuracy. Supply chains self-optimize through AI-driven demand forecasting and predictive maintenance.

The shift is significant, but the success is not about handling all business processes with AI. The success is about finding AI solutions that help humans use their potential to the fullest.

Blockchain Integration in the Industries

Once, blockchain was “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,” but this year, blockchain integration is already widely practiced in critical sectors.

This shift toward using blockchain as invisible infrastructure, rather than a marketing buzzword, marks the beginning of blockchain’s use as a practical business tool. Companies discovered that blockchain’s value is in creating shared, verified records that multiple parties can trust without a central authority.

Multimodal AI: Understanding Like Humans

And again, we are talking about AI, which will start learning as humans do: observe, listen, and synthesize. We will soon be able to communicate with AI and transition from format to format as smoothly as possible.

Even now, many users communicate with AI like with humans, and, unfortunately, this human-like interaction leads to tragedies as well. Humans truly feel like they are interacting with an emotionally intelligent human because of AI’s emotion detection and natural speech patterns. But there should always be a line of reality not to be crossed.

Advanced Robotics: Breaking Free from Factories

After decades of promise, robots are finally escaping controlled environments. Scary! So far, the machines have been kept away from humans in “cages,” but this year, the advancement in AI finally gave robots freedom. And immediately, Siemens reported 90% automation cost reductions with AI-enabled robots.

Where robots are going: Today, already 10% of all industrial robot installations are collaborative robots. In healthcare, surgical robots excellently handle even the most complicated procedures. In agriculture, autonomous systems support precision farming with 90% less pesticide use, contributing to organic farming. In construction, robots handle dangerous tasks and 3D print complex structures. In warehousing, Amazon-style automation becomes standard. In short, robots fully handle the role of “making our lives easier.”

Quantum Computing: Finally Ready for Prime Time

After 40 years of being “5 years away,” quantum computing now has practical applications (almost). The technology is applied as a pilot system to logistics, finance, pharmaceuticals, and science. Most surprising breakthroughs are seen in drug discovery, molecular modeling, and financial risk analysis, where traditional solutions fall behind. For people like me, advances in quantum computing may not be significant, but for enterprises, it means faster R&D cycles and lower costs.

What’s already working: Siemens projects 20% reductions in energy grid inefficiencies using quantum algorithms.

Critical Challenges, Ethical Concerns, and Strategic Opportunities

The Challenges

• Data Shortage Crisis: High-quality training data may be depleted by 2026, according to Epoch AI. Solutions include synthetic data, private data licensing (costing hundreds of millions), and alternative training methods like self-play.

• Energy Crisis: AI workloads could reach 3-4% of global electricity by 2030. Data centers consume millions of gallons of water for cooling. While AI solves millions of tasks, making our lives easier, it has a heavy load on our environment. Solutions include energy-efficient architectures, clean energy sources (nuclear SMRs and renewables), and algorithmic improvements.

• Technical Debt: Being and staying competitive means keeping businesses up-to-date with modern systems. However, organizations discover infrastructure modernization costs 5-10x their AI project budgets. Data standardization, quality improvement, and integration of siloed systems are hidden costs and challenges to be addressed before AI integration.

• Talent War: The rapid development of technologies has led to a significant talent shortage in the market. 60% of organizations will see a slowdown in growth pace next year because of a shortage in digital skills. Think of the vicious cycle: talent scarcity delays adoption, creating competitive gaps that become harder to close because of talent scarcity.

• Cybersecurity: The more digital ecosystems grow, the more cybersecurity threats become frequent and risky. New attack vectors include AI-powered phishing with 54%+ success rates, model theft through queries, data poisoning, and more. To stay secure, organizations now have to allocate 20-30% of AI budgets to security.

The Ethical Concerns of Technologies

• Bias and Misinformation: The 2026 innovations are not only technological but moral because they raise questions rather than give answers. The mass production of AI-generated content will soon create an era where everything will be questioned, and only experience will have absolute value.

• The Evil Deepfake: Unfortunately, the powerful technology is used against humans to generate compromising images for blackmail. Synthetic media, including visual and audio, questions the confidence and safety in digital content.

• AI regulations: Governments already take actions to regulate the technology and keep it under strict regulations. However, as far as the tech is new and the laws are written just on the knee, tech owners find ways to bypass the regulations and use AI against human rights.

The Opportunities

For all the risks and disruptions, 2025’s technologies also open up opportunities, marking the beginning of humanity’s most capable era.

• Sustainability with Real Results: Sustainability is moving from a moral goal to a built-in feature of daily life. Smart cities will have renewable energy and smart water management, efficient transportation, and more green spaces. Temperature-adaptive materials mean cities could soon stabilize their own temperatures, waste could regenerate, and pollution could be neutralized at the source. Sustainability will no longer depend on good intentions; it will be engineered into the world around us.

• New Class of Professionals: Massive adaptation of AI will create a totally new class of professionals to cover the technology, regulations, and ethics. Demand is huge, and the talent shortage is more than real. In 2024, the AI talent gap was 50% and it is not getting better. It means there is an enormous opportunity with high-paying jobs in the market, growing exponentially.

• Personalized and Accessible Education: When used correctly, AI tutors become true partners for adaptive learning, always available and responsive. They will know learners’ weaknesses and adjust materials accordingly, maximizing learning outcomes. Still, this opportunity will be valuable if supported by educational institutions.

• Cutting Automated Processes and Human Labor: The massive adoption of AI, robots, and cobots started closing labor gaps in manufacturing, logistics, and the service sector. These collaborative robots have already improved productivity by 20% and reduced labor costs by 50%.

Technologies for a Better Future

Fortunately, not all technologies are meant to replace humans (I hope).

Engineered Organisms for Climate: Plastic pollution, one of the most disturbing environmental issues, may have a solution. Bacteria engineered to eat plastic (breaking down polymers in weeks instead of centuries), algae modified for 2-3x carbon absorption, and microbes restoring degraded soil are now widely explored for their potential.

AI for Scientific Discovery: With technology, it is now possible to compress decades of research into years. For example, Insilico Medicine designed a drug for fibrosis in months instead of years. Materials science now virtually tests 200 million+ potential combinations before synthesis.

Precision Agriculture: AI and robotics already change agriculture at the individual plant level. For example, John Deere’s See & Spray technology reduces herbicide use by 90%. Results include 30-50% water savings, 40-60% less fertilizer, and 15-30% yield improvements, critical for feeding 10 billion people by 2050.

Clean Energy: More cities are moving to clean energy. For example, Perovskite solar cells reach 25-30% efficiency at 50% lower cost compared to silicon batteries. To support the growing ecosystem of EVs, the industry invests more in solid-state batteries, which will offer 2-3x energy density with 15-minute full charging. These and other technologies will make carbon-free energy economically dominant.

Healthcare Democratization: AI is assisting and already diagnosing with doctors. A new Microsoft-developed system matched expert physicians in solving 79.9% of complex clinical cases while cutting diagnostic costs by more than 50%. This kind of innovation will make precision medicine smarter and more affordable.

A Final Note from the Author

Before all this AI fuss, I read about tech trends with less emotion. Year after year, my excitement and anxiety levels increase because I believe some discoveries should remain unexplored. Hope these trends we explored today will bring us to the point that we never regret them.

Written by Anush Bichakhchyan for InTech.Express | 2025 November
Photo by Kevin Shi on Unsplash

As we see in practice, the search market is on the brink of major transformation. With new entrants like ChatGPT’s integrated search and Meta’s upcoming search engine, traditional players face fresh competition. These developments signal a shift towards AI-enhanced, personalized search experiences, potentially redefining how users interact with information on the web.

ChatGPT Launches Its Own Search Engine

In a major development, OpenAI expanded ChatGPT’s capabilities by introducing a built-in search engine. This addition is expected to have a significant impact on user experience, accessibility, and information retrieval.

• Real-Time Information Access: Users can now access real-time information directly within ChatGPT, making it useful for current events, live updates, and up-to-date knowledge.

• Competitor to Google and Bing: With this release, OpenAI is stepping into a domain traditionally dominated by Google, Bing, and other established search engines.

• Integrated AI Features: The search engine combines natural language understanding with search functionality, making it easier for users to receive contextually relevant answers.

• Enhanced Privacy Controls: OpenAI has emphasized privacy, offering options for data management and transparency in data usage.

• Availability: Initially rolled out to ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise subscribers, with plans to expand to a broader audience over the coming months.

This new feature positions ChatGPT not only as an AI assistant but as a direct competitor to traditional search engines, promising a unique blend of conversational AI and search capabilities.

See more on this topic:

Facebook’s search engine is on the way

In a surprising move, Meta (formerly Facebook) has announced plans to build its own search engine. This project signifies Meta's effort to expand beyond social media and strengthen its hold in the tech industry.

• Focus on Social Context in Search Results: Meta’s search engine aims to leverage its vast social data to provide personalized, socially relevant search results.

• Potential Challenges: Competing with Google’s search dominance may be difficult, especially given Meta’s recent privacy concerns and controversies.

• Integration with Meta’s Platforms: The search engine is expected to integrate across Meta’s ecosystem, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, allowing users to search across these platforms seamlessly.

• Privacy and Data Concerns: Meta has faced scrutiny over user data handling, and privacy advocates are watching closely to see how this search engine will manage and protect user information.

• AI and Machine Learning Enhancement: Meta’s search tool will likely integrate AI for improved accuracy and relevance, enhancing user experience with tailored results.

If successful, Meta’s search engine could become a substantial player in the market, leveraging its unique social data to offer a distinct alternative to current search engines.

Stay up-to-date with us.

These firms collectively contributed 20.8 billion Armenian drams in taxes, reflecting a 4% increase. However, eight of the top 20 IT taxpayers saw reduced tax payments, notably Veeam Armenia, DataArt, and NVIDIA, mainly due to lower income tax contributions.

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report by StartupBlink, Armenia holds the top position in the Caucasus region, with a score double that of its nearest competitor, Georgia. This ranking is based on three key factors: quality, quantity, and the business environment. In 2023, Armenia’s startup ecosystem climbed three spots, reaching 15th place in Eastern Europe and 57th globally.

Armenia's Tech and Startup Scene: A Year of Expansion and Innovation

The number of IT companies in Armenia has doubled since 2022, with a 30% growth in employment, showcasing the country's thriving tech sector and its allure for global talent.

Startup Surge: Armenia's startup ecosystem has made impressive strides, rising three spots in both Eastern Europe and globally according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report by StartupBlink. This progress has attracted substantial venture capital, with Armenia securing 90% of the region's investments.

New Support Initiatives: Initiatives like "From Idea to Business" offer funding for startups to commercialize projects, while "Neruzh" taps into diaspora expertise.

Expansion of Established Players: Major global tech firms are taking notice of Armenia's potential, exemplified by Yandex's establishment of offices, adding to the country's tech vibrancy.

AI Dominance: Generative AI has taken center stage in Armenia's tech landscape, with many startups leveraging AI in their products. Picsart, a local unicorn, leads in AI-driven image generation.

Tax Incentives: The "On State Support of the IT Sector" law continues to provide tax breaks for startups, fostering an innovation-friendly atmosphere.

Overall, Armenia's tech and startup ecosystem is flourishing, with rapid growth, substantial investments, and an ecosystem conducive to tech innovation and entrepreneurship.

See also: NVIDIA becomes the most valuable company for the first time

When the dawn of technological hurricanes made its entrance into business, trade, international relations, education, and all aspects of modern society in general, very few had the prevision of tech becoming a giant cutting-edge industry, hosting and modifying almost all professional spheres known to mankind.

Nowadays, however, the picture is bigger, clearer and costs double as many billions with each day that goes by. Technology as a notion, as a dangerously deified sector, especially in business and trade, has very sharply become the epicenter and ultimate “stakeholder” of all deals sealed behind closed doors.

Everything is single-handedly invested in technology and it tends to invest everything back in us: the comfort of our lives, our opportunities, and our capabilities. As of today, without the participation of at least one certain type of tech product in our routine, we cannot bear to imagine our living. Since the first windmills in 700–900 AD till the latest Apple Vision Pro, society has been dependent on innovations that go far beyond manual labor. And this, out of all blessings by science, is a human right and no longer a privilege.

Facts and figures in 2024

According to the latest report by Statista, If 2023 was the year of AI hype, 2024 is the year of widespread AI adoption that is set to significantly transform multiple aspects of society. In response to signs of improving economic conditions after a tough 2023, businesses in 2024 will increasingly implement new digital technologies to adapt and transform existing products and services.

Overall worldwide IT spending is forecast to increase by eight percent between 2023 and 2024, reaching approximately five trillion U.S. dollars, as organizations invest in emerging technologies to drive business and digital transformation. Key themes in 2024 revolve around widespread generative AI adoption across industries and the accompanying services to meet this demand.

Here’s your list of Europe’s top-tier tech conferences scheduled for 2024

CloudFest

18 March - 24 March 2024
Germany | Rust | Europa-Park | Europa-Park-Straße 2, 77977 Rust

Organized in the heart of a theme park, there is a chunkload of reasons to work at this unmissable tech conference. The event connects the global cloud computing industry and this year’s spirit will concentrate on “The Resilient Cloud”, observing how to future-proof business continuity in a disruptive society.

To be expected: 8,000+ participants, 250+ speakers, 150+ partners, and 80+ countries

Check out the official website and get your tickets starting from 499 euros. 

IBM TechXchange: AI Governance

20 March 2024
Belgium | Brussels | IBM Client Center | Brussels Leopold Square Avenue du Bourget/Bourgetlaan 42, Brussels

IBM works extensively with risks associated with the implementation and use of AI: regulatory risk, reputational risk, and operational risk. In this session, those risks, their mitigation, and the proper end-to-end governance of AI will be discussed.

Check out the official website and register online. 

Pycon Lithuania 2024

2 April - 6 April 2024
Lithuania | Vilnius | SMK University of Applied Social Sciences | Kalvarijų g. 137E, Vilnius, 08211 Vilniaus m. sav.

PyCon Lithuania 2024 is a massive event on data, web, and more, promising 60+ sessions and 600+ attendees. Featuring keynotes by PyDanny, Ritchie Vink, Arjan Codes, Robert Smallshire, and Tom Christie.

Check out the official website and get your tickets online. 

Paris Blockchain Week

9 April - 11 April 2024
France | Paris | Carrousel du Louvre | 99 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Join the event for the most influential gathering of professionals in blockchain and Web3 at the magnificent Carrousel du LOUVRE. Paris Blockchain Week is the most significant event in the blockchain industry that brings together some of the brightest minds in person.

2023 Stats: 8,500+ thought leaders, and 400+ speakers, joined executives and change-makers from major companies of which 61.3% were c-suite plus 400+ media and journalists.

Check out the official website and get your tickets online. 

Rise of AI Conference

15 May 2024
Germany | Berlin | Humboldt Carré | Behrenstraße 42, 10117 Berlin

The Rise of AI Conference has been reporting great success since its launch in 2014. Ever since then, it’s been uniting the best decision-makers and innovators in the industry. This year’s Rise of AI will also touch on topics like the broader application of AI in politics, the economy, and society in general.

To be expected: 1,000+ companies, and 2,000+ AI societies

Check out the official website and join the event.

Viva Technology 

22 May - 25 May 2024

France | Paris | Porte de Versailles | 1 Pl. de la Prte de Versailles, 75015 Paris

Speakers who have previously attended this top-tier event, include tech heavyweights like Elon Musk, Marc Benioff, and 26 more world leaders and celebrities. Buckle up because this is a one-of-a-kind IT conference where tech giants and startups compete relentlessly.

Check out the official website and book your pass as a startupper at 210 euros, as an attendee at 475 euros, and as an investor at 620 euros. 

Dublin Tech Summit 

29 May - 30 May 2024

Ireland | Dublin | RDS | 4 Anglesea Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 N2A4

Being Europe’s fastest-growing tech festival, this unique event covers everything from AI, robotics, drone deliveries, privacy, space travel, and the potential for human immortality. DTS24 speakers include specialists like Dr. Omar Hatamleh, Chief Advisor at NASA, and Sasha Rubel, Head of Public Policy for AI & Machine Learning at Amazon.

To be expected: 200+ international speakers, 60 represented countries, 150+ startups, 80+ corporate partners, 8000+ attendees, and 200+ global media representatives.

Check out the official website and buy your tickets for 335 euros until March 31.

Infosecurity Europe

4 June - 6 June 2024
UK | London | Excel London | Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway

Infosecurity Europe is a leveled-up technology conference for cybersecurity professionals. It is aimed to bring the digital privacy community around one table to share innovations, foster connections, and present their brainchild in cybersecurity.

To be expected: 13,800+ Individual information and cybersecurity professional visitors, 380+ exhibitors, 200+ speakers, and 90+ hours of CPE credits.

Check out the official website and register online.

South Summit

5 June - 7 June 2024
Spain | Madrid | La Nave | C. Cifuentes, 5, Villaverde, 28021 Madrid

There is nothing better than pairing a trip to sunny Spain with experiencing an inspirational gathering of the tech industry's biggest disruptors. South Summit is a meeting point for innovators who come together to mold a different business world based on more sustainable practices.

Check out the official website and get your tickets online.

The AI Summit London

12 June - 13 June 2024
UK | London | Tobacco Dock | London E1W 2JG

The AI Summit London presents a variety of activities that AI enthusiasts, developers, and business leaders will struggle to find elsewhere. The workshops include solution centers, accelerator hubs, matchmaking, lounges for networking, actionable tips, and everything imaginable in between.

Check out the official website and book your pass online.

London Tech Week

10 June - 14 June 2024
UK | London | London Olympia | Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX

London Tech Week is back again to celebrate its 10th anniversary! This week-long expo is a technology appreciation gathering and a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their brainstorming about technology’s transformation of business and society.

Check out the official website and book your pass online. Premium passes cost 495 euros for attendees, 195 euros for startuppers, and 395 euros for investors.

The Next Web Conference

20 June - 21 June 2024
The Netherlands | Amsterdam | Taets Art and Event Park | Middenweg 62 Hembrugterrein, 1505RK Zaandam

Located in Zaandam, this event is claimed as The Next Web Conference (TNW) and happens to be the biggest breeding ground for tech giants outside of San Francisco. Attracting the leaders of big-name brands like Meta, Google X, and HSBC, this expo uses a drop of AI magic to pair delegates and make suggestions for more meaningful get-togethers.

To be expected: 10,000+ attendees, 220+ exhibiting companies, 800+ media outreach staff, 54% decision makers, 300+ investors, and 190+ speakers

Check out the official website and get your tickets before the deadlines.

Turing Fest 2024

9 July - 10 July 2024
Scotland | Edinburgh | EICC | The Exchange, 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EE

Software engineers, data analysts, product managers, digital marketers, and growth specialists are all wholeheartedly welcome to attend Turing Fest 2023, which is aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs and startuppers shape their organizations.

To be expected: 1,200+ attendees, 40+ speakers, and 40+ partners

Check out the official website and get your tickets online.

Gamescom 2024

21 August - 25 August 2024
Germany | Cologne | Koelnmesse | Messepl. 1, 50679 Köln

Welcome to Gamescom, the world's largest gaming event and Europe's leading business platform for the games industry! Every year, the most important international players meet to present games and innovations, identify new trends, network, and open up new business opportunities.

Check out the official website for additional information. 

IFA Berlin

6 September - 10 September 2024
Germany | Berlin | Messe Berlin | Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin

This year IFA Berlin is marking its 100th anniversary. Europe’s biggest consumer technology trade show, widely considered to be Europe’s version of CES, will blow your mind from multiple perspectives. This centennial event has room to boast about a century of technological advancement, from Albert Einstein’s 1930 appearance to the launch of the gadgets we recognize today.

2023 Stats: 2285 exhibitors, 139 countries, 187 speakers, 182,000+ visitors

Check out the official website and pre-register your attendance.

LINQ Conference

September 2024
Limassol, Cyprus | Warehouse by IT Quarter

The Linq Qonference invites leaders from various sectors to gather in Limassol, Cyprus, from September 14th to 16th. It is an event that stands on four pillars—MIND, BODY, SPIRIT, TECH—drawing inspiration from ancient yoga practices and symbolizing a new era of leadership. Attendees, whether they are trailblazing tech visionaries, seasoned investors, or dynamic executives, represent the essence of genuine leadership.

The event serves as a platform for the brightest minds to come together, enhance their skills, and build a community driven by integrity, passion, and a relentless pursuit of professional advancement. At Linq Qonference, leadership converges with innovation, creating an environment where collaboration fuels progress.

Check out the official website

Linux Security Summit 2024

16 September - 17 September 2024
Austria | Vienna | Autsria Center Vienna | Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1, 1220 Wien

Linux Security Summit (LSS) is a technical forum for collaboration between Linux developers, researchers, and end users with the primary aim of fostering community efforts to analyze and solve Linux security challenges.

Check out the official website and register online. 

AI & Big Data Expo

1 October - 2 October 2024
The Netherlands | Amsterdam | RAI | Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam

The AI & Big Data Expo is a leading conference and exhibition that unravels aspiring technologies and strategies of the next generation. The expo hands you a chance to explore the practical and successful implementation of AI and big data that can potentially help your business blossom. This conference is co-hosted alongside the IoT Tech Expo, the largest global gathering for the sector.

To be expected: 21,000+ attendees, 7 co-located events, 550+ speakers, and 650+ exhibitors.

Check out the official website for additional information. 

WCIT 2024

4 - 7 October, 2024 | Yerevan, Armenia

The World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) 2024 is set to take place in Armenia from October 4-7, under the theme “The Power of Mind: AI Beyond Limits, Within Ethics.”

This event, held in high-level partnership with DigiTec, the region’s premier annual innovation and technology expo, promises a rich program featuring a high-level Congress, B2B meetings, the WITSA World Cup (WWC) for scale-ups, innovation showcases, business presentations, workshops, and more.

WCIT 2024 will spotlight Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for society, ethics, and the future. Experts from diverse fields will gather to explore topics such as ethical innovation, human-machine collaboration, and global AI regulations under the overarching theme “Ethics, Society, and Governance.”

The event will also feature sessions on “Green AI,” focusing on environmentally sustainable AI solutions, and “AI in Social Media and Marketing,” which will discuss strategies for reaching marginalized consumers and improving marketing efficiency.

Another highlight of WCIT 2024 is “The Female Grace of AI,” which aims to promote gender equality and economic empowerment in the digital realm.

Register as an exhibitor or visitor here

World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF)

8 October - 10 October 2024
France | Cannes | Palais des Festivals et des Congrés | Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 1 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes

WAICF is all about displaying the capabilities of the latest AI models to untangle the world’s harshest business and societal issues. Attendees will get constructive criticism from both industry leaders and tech innovators for their projects.

To be expected: 16,000 attendees, 300 international speakers, 250 sessions, and 230 exhibitors

Check out the official website and register online.

World Summit AI

9 October - 10 October 2024
The Netherlands | Amsterdam | Taets Art and Event Park | Middenweg 62 Hembrugterrein, 1505RK Zaandam

Seen by tech leaders as the platform to launch their latest AI products and services and regarded as the world's leading startup and investor network, WSAI gathers the global AI ecosystem of Enterprise, Big Tech, Startups, Investors, Science, and Academia to set the global AI agenda, every October in Amsterdam.

Check out the official website and book your tickets online. 

Web Summit

11 November - 14 November 2024
Portugal | Lisbon | Altice Arena and Lisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre

Web Summit is a nest for the global technology community, uniting tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders, and even high-profile celebrities. Attendees will go through the waves of a feature-packed program featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, startup presentations, and workshops, focusing on mainstream topics such as AI, cybersecurity, and fintech.

To be expected: 800+ speakers, 2,600+ startups, 900+ investors. 2,100+ media members, 320+ partners, 70,000 attendees, and 150+ countries.

Check out the official website and pre-register online.

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In December of last year, Google integrated Gemini Pro into Bard in English, enhancing Bard's comprehension, logical processing, summarization, and coding skills. Today, Gemini Pro within Bard is launching in over 40 languages and spanning more than 230 countries and territories, enabling a broader audience to engage with this upgraded, swifter iteration of Bard for collaborative endeavors.

The Large Model Systems Organization, renowned for assessing language models and chatbots in various languages, has recently stated that Bard equipped with Gemini Pro stands out as one of the most favored chatbots, regardless of cost. They highlighted its remarkable advancement, describing it as a "stunning leap" forward. Furthermore, independent blind evaluations conducted by our third-party assessors have recognized Bard with Gemini Pro as one of the highest-performing conversational AIs when compared to prominent free and paid alternatives.

Verify your replies across multiple languages

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Give life to your concepts with image creation

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Google's technical safeguards and commitments to data safety aim to mitigate the presence of violent, offensive, or sexually explicit content. Furthermore, Google implements filters to prevent the generation of images featuring identifiable individuals. They have declared their ongoing investment in innovative techniques to enhance the safety and privacy measures of their models.

These enhancements further solidify Bard as an increasingly valuable and universally accessible AI partner, assisting with endeavors ranging from significant creative projects to routine tasks. Explore its capabilities today at bard.google.com.

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Summary of the major tech industry updates

Week of January 14-21, 2024

Apple's Vision Pro

Initial reactions to the $799 headset are mixed, with praise for the web experience but concerns about Apple's walled-garden approach. Developers are exploring potential applications beyond gaming and entertainment. See more >

Commercial supersonic flight

The X-59's success brings the dream of quieter supersonic travel closer to reality, potentially reducing flight times significantly.

NASA unveiled its X-59 aircraft in Palmdale, California, on Friday as a part of the agency's Quesst mission, aimed at enabling commercial supersonic flight. Quesst focuses on showcasing the X-59's ability to achieve supersonic speeds without producing disruptive sonic booms and assessing the noise levels experienced by people when the aircraft flies overhead. See more >

AI progress

Advancements in AI continue, with applications in scientific research, robotics, and environmental sustainability raising both excitement and concerns about potential misuse.

Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase in the advancement and utilization of generative AI tools, capable of replicating human voices and producing realistic video clones of individuals. These AI technologies can create fresh content, encompassing text, images, videos, and audio, by leveraging the knowledge acquired from the data on which they were trained. The swift progress in generative AI has sparked both enthusiasm and apprehension. Read more >

Samsung’s Smart Ring may change the wearable industry

The introduction of Samsung's smart ring could mark the beginning of a new era in wearable technology. Samsung provided limited information about its Galaxy Ring, yet it adds to the evidence that 2024 is emerging as a year featuring competitors for the Oura Ring. Read more >

OnePlus Watch 2 release date leaks

The future of wearables looks increasingly diverse. OnePlus is poised for a notable return to the smartwatch market by introducing the OnePlus Watch 2 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024. This latest smartwatch is designed to address the shortcomings of its predecessor by embracing Google's Wear OS, a departure from the basic operating system used in the original version. More details >

Reddit plans IPO in March 2024

Reddit, the social media platform, has formulated comprehensive strategies for its initial public offering (IPO) scheduled for March. This marks a significant step forward in the company's pursuit of a public listing, a goal it has been contemplating for over three years, as per individuals familiar with the situation. Read more >

Meta plans to manage computing power equivalent to 600,000 H100 GPUs

Meta aims to handle computing power equivalent to "600,000 H100 GPUs" by the end of the year, which includes the incorporation of 340,000 H100 Nvidia GPUs in its data centers.

Driving the enthusiasm for generative AI is the belief that the tech industry is heading towards achieving a level of superhuman, god-like intelligence.

OpenAI has a stated mission to develop this artificial general intelligence (AGI), and Demis Hassabis, the leader of Google's AI efforts, shares the same objective. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, is now joining the race. Although he hasn't specified a timeline for AGI or a precise definition, he is determined to create it. Simultaneously, he is reorganizing Meta's AI research group, FAIR, to collaborate with the team developing generative AI products across Meta's apps. The aim is to ensure that Meta's AI breakthroughs more directly benefit its billions of users. See more >

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Deals of 2023

• The mega-deal of the year was Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which reshaped the gaming landscape. 

• OpenAI was valued at $100 billion, making it a beacon of excitement in the field of generative intelligence.

• Sustainable tech, taking center stage, got over $541.6 billion in investments for renewable energy, green AI, and carbon capture solutions.

2023 was a year of technological leaps and bounds, fueled by record-breaking investments and a thirst for innovation. 

Microsoft and Google continue to compete for supremacy in the quantum computing race, having made significant technological breakthroughs. Elon Musk’s Neuralink has achieved human trial approval, and no one knows how it will revolutionize human-machine interaction. Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse disrupted the tech funding landscape, sending shockwaves through the tech industry.

In fact, 2023 was too turbulent to remember all the major events. It is even harder to predict where the tech sector is heading in 2024 and beyond. Without romanticizing the future or being too pessimistic, let’s simply list the top five tech segments and innovations within the segments. 

Generative AI

This would be inconsistent if we started the list with something other than generative AI. Beyond chatbots and text generation, generative AI immediately changed game rules, revolutionizing design, content creation, and even drug discovery. 

Key trends in generative AI

75% of generative AI is shared between customer operations, software engineering, and marketing. The numbers will change rapidly due to the expansion of AI in other segments. 

• In customer service, generative AI will handle most operations, offering instant and accurate responses, customer data gathering and analysis, personalized recommendations, etc. 

• In marketing, AI solutions will enable hyper-quick marketing content creation, automate repetitive tasks, provide extensive data analysis for data-driven decision-making, omnichannel strategy optimization, etc. 

• In software engineering, generative AI will streamline requirement gathering, UI template creation, code snippet generation, and crafting test cases. 

The expansion of AI will be driven by the increasing demand for personalized content, automation, and scientific breakthroughs. 

Figures and statistics

• The global generative AI market is expected to reach $66.62 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 20.80%.

• 65% of generative AI users are Gen Z and Millennials.

• 2.3 billion images were generated by Dall-E2 within its first two months of public beta.

Biggest deals of 2023

• OpenAI: Creators of Dall-E 2, a leading text-to-image generative AI platform, attracted over $1 billion in funding, including a $100 billion valuation in 2023.

• RunwayML: The company, which is developing AI tools for fashion design and generation, secured $4.3 million in seed funding in 2023 and already has partnerships with major fashion brands.

• Anthropic: Develops advanced language models and aims to build safe and reliable AI. It raised $750 million in an ongoing funding round in 2024, and its valuation estimates range from $15 billion to $30 billion.

• Inflection AI: Building the "largest AI cluster in the world" to develop powerful AI assistants. The company secured $1.3 billion in funding in 2023, led by Microsoft and prominent investors, and has partnerships with companies like Nvidia.

The future of generative AI

Generative AI will get bigger and more serious, making a huge impact on enterprises. 

• By 2026, 100 million humans will interact with robo-colleagues. 

• By 2028, there will be more AI-powered tools than frontline workers in retail, logistics, and manufacturing, cutting labor shortages.

• By 2027, 15% of applications will be AI-generated without any human intervention. 

Cybersecurity

The expansion of digital infrastructure has led to an increase in cyberattacks. The demand for robust cybersecurity solutions and cybersecurity startups attracted $16.7 billion in funding, reflecting the urgency of dealing with increasing threats. 

Figures and statistics

• The global cybersecurity market is estimated to reach $183.10 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 10.56%.

• 98% of organizations experienced a cyberattack in 2023, resulting in a cost of $4.45 million due to data breaches.

• AI-powered cybersecurity solutions saw a 36% increase in investment in 2023.

Big players

• Crowdstrike: Leading endpoint security provider, boasting over $4.7 billion in annual revenue.

• Palo Alto Networks: This networking giant has a strong emphasis on cloud security, with annual revenue surpassing $5 billion.

• Cisco: The company offers comprehensive security solutions across network infrastructure, endpoints, and the cloud, with annual security revenue exceeding $8 billion.

The future of cybersecurity

• The rise of AI and machine learning will play a crucial role in defense (and offense as well). Advanced threat detection will enable the identification and mitigation of sophisticated attacks, while attackers will use the same AI to automate tactics. This battle will only intensify as machines get smarter.

• Modern cloud applications, IoT, and remote workforces will force companies to think of replacing traditional perimeter defenses with zero-trust security, cloud-native security, or endpoint security. 

Quantum Computing 

No longer science fiction, quantum computing is entering its practical phase. Mere mortals, just like us, don’t know much about quantum computing; the industry already holds immense promise for materials science, drug discovery, and financial modeling. Early adopters promise to reshape entire industries.

Figures and statistics

• The global quantum computing market is projected to reach $6.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 23.5%.

• D-Wave's quantum computers operate at -460°F, just 0.02 degrees above absolute zero! That's colder than the surface of Pluto!

• Google Quantum AI leads the field with hardware like Sycamore and software platforms like Cirq, and it partners with companies like BMW and Pfizer.

Industry leaders 

• IONQ: Boasts a $4 billion market capitalization after entering the public arena as the first pure-play quantum computing company. 

• Tech giants: Names like Microsoft, Alphabet (owner of Google), Nvidia, and Intel are actively involved in the industry, with market capitalizations exceeding $1 trillion for Microsoft and Alphabet and significantly over $100 billion for Nvidia and Intel. 

• Established players: Legacy tech companies like Honeywell and IBM, with market capitalizations of $124 billion and $135 billion, respectively, are also making significant investments in quantum computing. 

The future of quantum computing

• In the future, quantum computing will evolve from a theoretical playground to a practical tool actively changing healthcare, fintech, and materials science. 

• Cloud-based access to quantum computers will democratize the technology, making its power accessible to startups and researchers.

Metaverse

While the metaverse's full potential remains undefined, its allure is undeniable. Step by step, it changes experiences in a digital environment with its virtual social spaces, like Decentraland, to augmented reality experiences. 

Figures and statistics

• The global metaverse market is projected to reach $507.8 billion by 2030, with an expected 2.66 million users.

• In 2023, metaverse startups raised over $13 billion in funding, highlighting investor confidence.

• Decentraland and Sandbox platforms are seeing surging user engagement, showcasing demand for immersive social experiences.

Industry players

• Meta (formerly Facebook): Leading VR hardware creator with Oculus Quest, investing heavily in Metaverse infrastructure and social platform Horizon Worlds.

• Microsoft: Developing Mesh for presence and shared reality experiences available from anywhere.

• Decentraland: Established virtual world platform with a huge user base and decentralized economy working on NFTs.

The future of Metaverse

• By 2030, many people may spend more time in the metaverse than in reality. Good or bad, people will exploit virtual capabilities more for work, education, and entertainment.

• Being not so valuable for daily life, Metaverse’s implementation will be limited to a certain group of people.

• Gaming and e-commerce will be the most affected segments, offering new experiences in the metaverse.

Sustainable tech

Sustainable economy, sustainable fashion, sustainable consumers. What’s next? Sustainable technology encompasses solutions like renewable energy, green AI, the circular economy, green transportation, and smart agriculture. 

Figures and statistics

• The global green tech market will reach $44.55 billion by 2028, signifying a massive growth trajectory.

• With the increasing popularity of online data centers, companies are willingly replacing their energy-sucking data centers and physical storage systems with cloud technology. 

• Solar energy installations continue to surge, with the International Energy Agency forecasting 10% annual growth over the next five years.

Industry players

• Tesla leads the electric vehicle revolution, inspiring other brands to develop electric models. At the same time, companies like First Solar and Vestas dominate the solar energy industry.

• AI giants like Google and Microsoft are developing green AI initiatives, and startups like Nauto use AI to optimize traffic flow and reduce emissions.

• Names like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are pioneering plant-based protein alternatives, disrupting the traditional meat industry.

The future of sustainable tech 

• Renewable energy will be on the rise with advancements in battery technology and energy storage.

• The integration of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) will create smart ecosystems and optimize resource management across entire industries.

• More and more companies will implement sustainable practices, cutting back on using natural resources and recycling. 

Conclusion: What will the world be like?

If, in the next 100 years, nothing dramatic or fatal happens to the planet (which is, by the way, one very possible scenario, to my mind), our world will be either a better place or a total disaster. Standing on the threshold of a new phase with the power of AI, humanity can either use it in its favor or turn it into a weapon against itself. And even if my predictions seem pessimistic, it better be armed and ready than “die” in sweet delight. Either way, 2024 will be as turbulent as the past year, with technologies and innovations coming to make life “easier.” 

Author: Anush Bichakhchyan

Choosing Armenia for company registration has become a popular decision among foreign entrepreneurs due to the absence of nationality restrictions and minimum capital requirements. A residence permit isn’t necessary, either. 

Here, we cover 5 important legal points related to setting up a successful business in Armenia. 

Naming your business 

For state registration approval, submit a business name meeting legal criteria. Ensure uniqueness, avoiding resemblance to existing businesses to prevent confusion. The name must align with public interests, humanity principles, and morality.

The usage of the words “Arm,” “Armenia,” and “Armenian” and their translations in the name requires a permit and an annual state fee of 600,000 AMD. Application forms need to be filled in Armenian. The founders of legal entities and authorized persons can make the requests. 

Upon approval by the Intellectual Property Office, the name is documented in the State Register of Legal Entities. If rejected, you can submit a new request at no additional cost.

Choosing the legal type of your business 

There are different aspects to consider when deciding on the business structure of your entity: number of owners, tax burden, liability protection, paperwork, etc. 

In Armenia, company registration is free of charge, whereas the registration fee for a sole entrepreneur is 3,000 AMD.

Here are the types of businesses to consider. 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Small businesses often register as LLCs due to simple registration processes and limited personal liabilities related to the company’s debts and obligations.

In Armenia,  both individuals and legal entities, residents and foreigners, can apply to register an LLC. The number of participants in a company may not exceed 49.

Owners, directors, submit passports, and IDs. Foreign founders: provide notarized copies. Include company details - name, address, invested capital, and each founder's share.

The in-person process of submitting the documents to the relevant authority takes about 10-15 minutes, and the actual state registration of the company takes 1 business day.

Private Entrepreneurship

You can register as a sole proprietor (individual entrepreneur) in Armenia without forming a company. Here, one person owns and manages the business, taking personal responsibility for any liabilities. The registration is quick and easy, and once done, you'll receive a tax ID.

Joint-Stock Company – Open and Closed

This is a form of organization where investors or shareholders with a common purpose provide financing to the company. 

Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) is public, which means there is no limit on the number of shareholders. The entity is allowed to offer shares to the public through open subscriptions or the stock exchange.

A closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC), on the other hand, is private, meaning company shares are not publicly listed. It can have no more than 49 shareholders. 

A Joint Stock Company can also be set up by one person. In this case, the person would be the sole shareholder, owning all the shares of the company.

Business Partnership 

A partnership involves two or more people. Two types exist: full partnership and limited partnership. In a full partnership, partners co-own the company, sharing equal decision rights. In a limited partnership, one is a general partner managing, while the other is limited, participating but not deciding.

Branches and Representative Offices 

Global companies operate in Armenia, and foreign ones can open branches or representative offices. These offices conduct business for the parent entity, but it's crucial to know they aren't seen as independent legal entities.

The difference between a branch and a representative office is that a branch may perform commercial activities, while a representative office has limited functions and can’t engage in profit-generating activities.

Paying Taxes

Tax matters in Armenia are overseen by the unified tax system. Companies face varied tax regulations based on their structure and specialties. Special tax regimes, government aid programs, and tax-free benefits are available for small companies, IT startups, and those in free economic zones. 

Entities with a permanent establishment (PE) are liable for corporate income tax (CIT), and for tax residents, their worldwide income is taxable. The standard CIT (Corporate Tax Rate) is 18, and VAT (Value Added Tax) is 20%. 

The tax system in Armenia is being reformed constantly to support businesses and ensure efficient economic growth. 

Business Licensing 

In Armenia, licensing activities are regulated by the Law on Licensing. Specific permits may be required for various sectors.

The list includes: 

• healthcare

• banking and finance 

• education 

• security 

• trade sector 

• energy 

Licenses can be issued through simple and compound procedures. A simple license shall be issued after three days upon submission of the application without the decision of the licensing commission. 

A compound license shall be issued after 30 days upon the application submission based on the conclusions of licensing commissions.

Employment Լegislation 

When hiring, grasp local employment laws in Armenia. The Labor Code governs work relations, and employers must furnish a written employment statement. Contracts adhere to labor laws, covering aspects like working hours, minimum wage, employee tax, health and safety policies, annual leave, and employer liability insurance. Contracts can be for a defined or indefinite period.

Foreign citizens in Armenia work under similar regulations on receipt of relevant visas and permits. 

● 70,236 attendees from 153 countries
● 43 percent of attendees are women, while 38 percent of speakers are women
● 2,608 startups exhibiting, almost one in three of which are woman founded
● 321 partners are taking to the exhibition floor
● More than 85 percent hotel occupancy expected across the city of Lisbon

70,236 attendees from 153 countries

Web Summit has brought 70,236 attendees from all over the world to the Altice Arena in Lisbon to discuss and debate ideas for the future. The cohort of CEOs, startups, investors, media, policymakers and creatives will be taking part in 1,180 investor to startup meetings, 70 masterclasses, 17 PITCH competitions rounds, 25 evening events, and Night Summit parties around the most exciting neighbourhoods of the city.

Web Summit has creatively expanded the total floor space of the event by five percent to approximately 215,000 square metres – the equivalent of 1,099 tennis courts.

Katherine Maher, CEO of Web Summit, took to the stage in front of a crowd of 11,000 people in the Altice Arena at the event’s Opening Night: “Over the last decade, as Web Summit has grown, we’ve brought together tens of thousands of people who have used this week in Lisbon as a springboard to do remarkable things – to launch companies, find investors, unveil projects, advance a vision of the world worth debating. As the new leader of this organisation of incredibly committed staff, and as a long time advocate for technology as a driving force for

good for humanity and society, Web Summit will continue to be the most important place to

bring together and connect people and advance critical conversations about technology,

society and innovation.”

2,608 startups from 93 countries

A record-breaking 2,608 startups from 93 countries will showcase their innovations and the businesses of tomorrow over the coming three days. These promising startups were chosen from thousands of applicants, and represent more than 30 different industries.

More than 250 startups will attend Web Summit as part of the Impact programme – startups that work to have a positive impact on their communities, industries and ecosystems.

More than 800 startups will learn from leaders and experts through nearly 100 Mentor Hours sessions. The industries most represented among startups include SaaS, AI and machine learning, healthtech and wellness, fintech and financial services, and sustainability and cleantech.

Stay tuned with us, our team is at Web Summit.

Have you encountered anyone who hasn’t used Google Maps during their travels? I haven’t come across such a person in the past decade, at least.

Google Maps is an online mapping service developed by Google. It helps people find locations, get directions, and explore places around the world. With real-time traffic information, public transit details, and street view imagery, it makes traveling and navigating easier for users. Whether you’re driving, walking, or using public transportation, Google Maps provides valuable assistance to help you reach your destination efficiently.

Google Maps for travelers

So how can Google Maps help tourists who need assistance finding locations, checking traffic, and knowing the prices of restaurants and cafes?

Google Maps’ real-time features are invaluable tools that significantly enhance the travel experience for users. These features provide up-to-date information and navigation assistance, making it easier for travelers to explore new places and navigate through unfamiliar territories.

Here are some common ways in which Google Maps’ real-time features help travelers:

Accurate Traffic Information

Google Maps uses real-time data to analyze traffic conditions on roads, highways, and streets. It provides live updates on traffic congestion, accidents, and construction, allowing travelers to choose the most efficient route to their destination. This feature is particularly useful for avoiding traffic jams and reducing travel time.

Public Transit Information

In cities with comprehensive public transportation systems, Google Maps displays real-time data on buses, trains, subways, and other transit options. When I was in Amsterdam recently, I used Google Maps many times a day to find my way around using buses, trains, and other public transportation. It was a huge help and made my trip much easier. Travelers in Google Maps can see the departure and arrival times, delays, and service changes, helping them plan their journeys efficiently.

Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

Google Maps calculates the estimated time of arrival based on real-time traffic conditions, vehicle speed, and distance. This feature enables travelers to have a better understanding of when they will reach their destination, aiding in time management and planning.

Explore Nearby Places

With real-time data, Google Maps can show travelers nearby attractions, restaurants, hotels, and other points of interest. Users can quickly discover options in their vicinity and make spontaneous decisions during their travels.

Live Location Sharing

Google Maps allows users to share their real-time location with friends and family. This feature is particularly useful for solo travelers who want to ensure loved ones can track their whereabouts and safety.

Weather Information

Google Maps provides weather forecasts for specific locations, giving travelers insights into the weather conditions at their destination or along their route. This helps travelers pack appropriately and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

Street View

Google Maps’ Street View feature offers 360-degree panoramic images of streets and landmarks, enabling travelers to virtually explore a destination before physically visiting it. This helps travelers get a sense of the area’s layout, architecture, and ambiance.

Local Business Information

Google Maps provides real-time information on local businesses, including their hours of operation, reviews, contact details, and popular times. This feature assists travelers in finding open establishments, reading reviews, and choosing the best places to visit.

Offline Maps

While real-time features primarily require an internet connection, Google Maps also allows users to download offline maps. This is particularly beneficial for travelers who might encounter limited connectivity during their journeys, ensuring they can still access essential map data and navigate offline.

Overall, Google Maps’ real-time features have become indispensable tools for travelers worldwide, offering convenience, efficiency, and reliability throughout their journeys. Google Maps is a popular tool that can be a modern tourist’s best friend. It can save you from using lots of other websites and apps to get information while you travel.

This article was originally published on EuroDirections.

The most attractive points of investing in the Armenian sun and getting the most of the benefits of solar energy in Armenia. We’ve researched and analyzed all the ultimate assets for showing the top benefits of investing in solar energy in Armenia.\

In fact, in 2022, the number of established solar power stations exceeded previous years dramatically; it promises a burst of sunshine and a brighter future for generations to come. Additionally, it provides the strength to face climate change challenges thanks to harnessing world solar energy.

It is worth mentioning that according to the 2021 Global Energy Review published by the International Energy Agency, 29% of global electric power was generated from renewable energy in 2020. In the U.S. alone, solar energy generation is the most rapidly evolving power origin, with 3.3% of overall generation by the end of 2020.

In this article, we’ll discuss the potential of Armenia’s energy, how much space Armenia has for solar power stations, and the benefits of investing in solar energy in Armenia.

Rise of the Global Sector of Solar Energy in Armenia

Even in rather foggy and dull weather, being the ultimate source of power makes the sun the endless life generator. In this regard, where would solar energy be used better than in Armenia? The country of the sun itself.

In Armenia, the goal to build an observant development, particularly in the size of the solar photovoltaic (PV) system, is the real serious focus, and the progress made so far in this regard is remarkable. Several Armenian official bodies have realized the sun is becoming the main energy supplier worldwide and have started acting accordingly.

Armenia’s strategy for energy generation in 2021 requires up to 1000 MW of solar PV capacity by the end of 2030. By then, solar energy stations will reach 15% of the overall generation, according to the International Energy Agency report about Armenia this year.

The sun has been a leading role player in many Armenian poems, paintings, musical shows, and even popular modern songs, from Betty’s people of the sun in 2014 to Sirusho’s Huh-Hah bragging about being from the city of the sun. Not just that, but even the name “Arev” is popular among Armenian females; therefore, the sun is part of Armenia’s culture, not just the natural atmosphere.

The Potential of Armenia’s Solar Energy

Being a small country in the Caucasus can’t stop Armenia from becoming a role model in solar energy investments. In fact, Armenians can leverage their country’s geographical location and natural resources to shift gradually to solar energy solutions. Who knows, maybe the Armenian sun could be a national treasure no one has thought of in the past!

We are at a point in history, as a collective, where awareness worldwide is rapidly increasing regarding environmental issues and saving the planet’s natural resources. More than ever, Armenia has the biggest opportunity to shine brightly through utilizing the ever-evolving technologies and promoting the important contributions this land can offer to the world.

The Armenian diaspora distinguishes Armenia from other countries, which can contribute significantly to implementing energy efficiency projects and solar power production through private and non-profit international organizations. 

Several Armenian governmental bodies have shown openness to such collaborations and participated efficiently by investing heavily to guarantee the success of clean energy approaches, for example, the energy efficiency transformation projects funded by UNDP, GCF, and the Armenian government.

What Makes Armenia Suitable for Establishing Solar Power Plants?

Supportive Government Strategy

The Armenian government has prioritized utilizing renewable energy resources for their availability, particularly the building of solar power stations. Believing in the saying: “Solar Energy is Today’s Resource for a Brighter Tomorrow!” The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund were established by the Armenian government as an independent NGO in 2006. It functions to facilitate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in Armenia. 

Domestic Demand for Solar-Powered Solutions is High

The sun doesn’t charge for energy, and Armenia has a high demand for solar-powered water heating solutions; therefore, many institutions, hospitals, residential buildings, and others have switched traditional water heating systems to solar-powered ones.

Such demand alerts for a cultural change where people are becoming aware of what differences solar energy can bring to their lives. As a result, it increases market demand and encourages business entities to participate in the process.

How Much Space Does Armenia Have for Solar Power Stations?

Shortly speaking, Armenia has lots of potential spaces for solar power stations.

For example, Lake Sevan, located at 1900 m above sea level, is where the biggest solar power station has been constructed nearby. It generates electricity for the whole region with 14,000 solar panels.

Additionally, a mega solar energy project was finalized in 2021 between the Armenian government and Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company,  to establish a 200-megawatt plant in the Aragatsotn province in an area of over 500 hectares.

Another example is Gladzor, a village in Vayots Dzor province in Armenia, where the European Union announced plans in 2019 to build a solar power station with 4000 solar panels.

The Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources of The Republic of Armenia provides clear guidelines for establishing a utility-scale solar power plant, from choosing the land to implementation and operation, including free professional consultation.

he sun doesn’t charge for energy, and Armenia has a high demand for solar-powered water heating solutions; therefore, many institutions, hospitals, residential buildings, and others have switched traditional water heating systems to solar-powered ones.

Benefits of Investing in Solar Energy in Armenia 

Armenia never falls short with its unique location and the power it can generate from the sun’s warmth. It certainly lacks nothing to be the best place to invest in solar energy. Actually, the leading reason to invest in solar energy in the land of rocks, as it is famously known, is due to its mountainous nature and an average of 2700 sunny hours throughout the year.

The promise for Armenia that one day it will shift totally to renewable energy sources is around the corner; of course, the procedure to reach that will take some time, but the hopes are high with the combined efforts and the government plans toward more collaborations, programs on the one hand, and the maximum use of modern technology such as photovoltaics, solar heating, algorithms, and constructing more solar power plants, on the other hand.

Despite all the recent geopolitical issues and all the ups and downs Armenia has been through during the last decade, the country still has lots of potential in terms of solar energy and innovative solutions. Maybe solar power could be Armenia’s window into the world. All it takes is applying current solutions and putting all possible effort into developing innovations.

Article source

In 2000 On December 28, the Government of the Republic of Armenia recognized the information technology industry as a priority sector of economic development.

in 2021 there was a 17.8% real increase in output in the field of information technologies, which is more than 3 times higher than the total economic activity of the year. This is mentioned in the 2021 report of the Republic of Armenia Government.

According to the report, within the framework of the 17th measure to neutralize the economic consequences of the coronavirus, in 2021, newly established technology companies were provided with state assistance in the form of grants of about 1 billion drams. In addition, about 429 million AMD grants were provided to 40 startups at different stages of product development within the framework of the 3 components of the “From Idea to Business” grant program.

2021 was full of offline and online events, meetups, new educational programs, active investments, and more. It can be considered a year of investments in Armenian IT.  Many startups with Armenian founders and offices here have announced venture investments. For example Krisp, SoloLearn, SuperAnnotate, 10Web,  Podcastle, FoodStruck, Cognize, etc. There are also many Armenian startups that are still growing and great developments await them in the future.

Also, last year PicsArt became a Unicorn. This is the first company established in Armenia, the value of which exceeds $ 1 billion. There are many companies that have not announced the closing of investment rounds.

Competitive advantages of Armenia

Armenia has competitive advantages over other countries in the region in this field:

• The ability to carry out research and experimental work in accordance with international standards;

• High-quality and talented specialists,

• Basic university programs in IT and other related specialties, and cheap labor force with a high level of competition and also low operating costs,

• Tangible state support to the sector and willingness to improve the investment field,

• Progressive development of the IT sector,

• Strong Diaspora in Europe and North America;

• Extensive experience in cooperation with large transnational companies,

• A legal framework that meets the best international standards for the protection of intellectual property.

The above-mentioned advantages have become the basis for relocation to Armenia. The flow of Russian citizens to Armenia started on February 24, 2022.

Over the past couple of months, 100,000+ accounts opened in Armenian banks for non-residents, according to the Internet Without Borders platform.

Read more

Gaming has so often been painted with the wrong brush — stereotyped as being isolating and unsociable. However, the pandemic has shown this could not be further from the truth. – CEO of online gaming marketplace G2A.com.

The quote above perfectly describes our mission which is why we decided to start this article with it.

If you’re not gaming already, there’s a chance you might be soon. The video game sector is booming and is tipped to keep growing. Microsoft, Tencent, Embracer Group, and Sony are acquiring the big name video game companies, new cloud technologies, new engines, consoles, cross-platform gaming experiences, and E-Sport popularity growth.

According to a study by PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook, the sales of video games have been growing steadily since 2015. Many new companies and technologies were founded in the last few years. We’ve seen how the gaming industry has captured (in the good sense of the word), all aspects of our lives. 

For the past few years, the latest gaming technologies and engines have been used in the film industry. One of the brightest examples is The Mandalorian series of Disney about a fictional character from the Star Wars franchise, where they used the most popular gaming engine developed by Epic Games and called Unreal Engine. On May 13, 2020, Epic Games revealed the new, more realistic version of its engine under license plate 5, which has many revolutionary integrated parts. One year later, we saw the Metahuman  – the high-fidelity digital human creator. 

According to a study by Ampere Analysis in 2020, the global video game market shrank 1.2% to $188 billion. from 2019 to 2021, the growth was as much as 26%, reaching its peak at around 195 billion dollars. 

Gaming industry developments in Armenia

Okay. As we already know video gaming is one of the biggest industries in the world, which is ahead of the sports and film industries. But what about the Armenian gaming industry? 

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As mobile gaming makes up almost half (49%) of the total market with a combined smartphone and tablet gaming, here, in Armenia, we have mostly mobile game development companies (not counting relocated companies after the situation in the CIS’s west part).

These companies have successfully created top-rated games for the mobile market and partnered up with such industry giants as VooDoo, Tencent, ZeptoLab, Larian, Gameloft and etc. Some of them are even planning to switch to PC/Console game development in the near future.

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The world is already decentralized, every corner of the world can become the next successful destination for startups and giant firms in terms of technological and business development․

Combining these advantages with other attractive circumstances, we have studied the world’s small tech companies that have the greatest potential and provide great opportunities for startups, investors and businessmen to develop and achieve new achievements.

According to The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), businesses are becoming more and more dependent on tech, and investments in the sector keep accelerating. The expected growth in 2022 is 5.3%, and the five-year growth is positive. 

In addition to the existing tech companies, innovative startups are appearing to offer more solutions. Statistics show that now there are 1.3 million tech startups around the world compared to 305 million startups in any industry. 

5 small tech countries where the innovation industry is booming

Small tech countries often become hotspots and leaders of technological innovations, attracting investments and being home to inspiring startups. Let’s look into some of them standing out due to their fast growth and future perspectives.

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“The world has changed tremendously and the opportunities now because of technology are far more broadly distributed than ever before. The technological opportunities for Armenia are special.”
— Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, and founder of Seven Seven Six

High demand in the tech sector and interest in developing solutions to add value to the global chain motivate many people in Armenia to experience themselves in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). 

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STARMUS VI – a mega-celebration on tech and innovations in Armenia

STARMUS VI – out of this world science and arts festival of Stephen Hawking and Brian May will kick off from Armenia to Mars.

STARMUS is a unique festival in the world connecting the brilliant minds from science, education, and technologies, as well as renowned musicians and artists on the same stage to collaborate and to enhance science communication, to popularize it through interdisciplinary cooperation.

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Falling Walls Lab international startup competition is in Armenia

Falling Walls Lab (FWL) is a world-class pitch competition, networking forum, and stepping stone that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both globally and locally.

This year Armenia also has the opportunity to participate in the Falling Walls Lab international startup competition. This is an excellent opportunity to present scientific and innovative projects on an international platform and receive funding. The ideas should aim at making breakthrough changes both at the global and local levels.

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Historical events that influenced Armenia’s ICT and high-tech sectors

2018, Change of Government

The growth of technology companies in Armenia began in the late 2000s, but the great developments began to be registered after 2015, when more and more startups began to appear, attracting investments and entering global markets. The next pace started with the change of Armenia’s Government back in 2018, and it was a major surge. Already a year later, in 2019, the average wage in the ICT (information and communication technology) sector was 2,5 times higher (68.000 AMD) compared to the previous year’s wage (55.000). The change of the government also brought governmental tax incentives for IT agencies resulting in a 25% increase in the number of registered IT companies. The advancement of the sector created a more favorable environment for foreign investments.

2020, The global pandemic

There were other major and minor improvements but let’s move on to the next driving factor, the pandemic. The devastating Covid-19 stroke the whole world, paralyzing almost everything. In a small country, such as Armenia, even a single paused economic segment badly collapsed the economy. What about the IT sector? Unlike tourism, another major economic segment, Armenia’s tech industry grew by 20% in 2020, becoming the fastest-growing sector.

The increased digitization of businesses throughout the country definitely contributed to the sector growth, but outsourcing had become the main power that pushed Armenia to the new international platforms. It was the beginning of Armenia’s transformation into a regional tech hub competing with other countries in Eastern Europe and becoming an attractive outsourcing destination for the rest of Europe and North America.

What about foreign investments?

Those historic events again played a significant role the foreign investments. After the revolution and during the pre-covid period, in 2019, the volume of foreign investment registered 19% growth (from 8% in 2018). In 2020, though, it had a 39% decline due to the global crisis. When the global economy could more or less stabilize, Armenia got a 54% increase in 2021.

The present of the IT sector in Armenia

Finally, we are in 2022, having the government change, the pandemic, and the war behind us, and global and local political fluctuations at present. I will certainly not be mistaken if I say that Armenia’s IT sector is living its most disruptive “days.” The new realities and unstable situation affected the whole world. While Europe and the US observe the situation, Armenia’s economy feels the influence of those events. Still, not everything is unambiguous. Despite war-related disruptions to other sectors of the economy, Armenia’s IT hub is making significant strides toward geographical expansion.

Armenian rising star startups

For over 15 years, Armenia’s Information & Communications Technology sector has been experiencing steady growth. In the past couple of years, however, it has moved at a faster pace. The segment with the bright future already has a large portion of the contribution to the country’s growth. For the 2021 third quarter, the sector was valued at $137 million, the highest peak in segment growth.

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What are the latest news and events in the industry?

As some surveys and statistics show, artists [designers, photographers, journalists] moved to Tbilisi, while IT talents moved to Yerevan, which will for sure provide a large influx of money into the economy and positively influence the country’s IT infrastructure. Moreover, the influx of foreign emigrants can help small businesses grow in a short time, that in its turn, will positively impact the country’s economy.

In recent years (skipping 2020), events on technology, startups and innovation business themes are increasing every year in Armenia, attracting more and more people all over Armenia and abroad. In addition to annual techno events such as Digitec Expo, Digiweek, JS Conf, Devfest Armenia, Yerevan Tech forum, Orion Summit, Buissup conferences with various pitching, acceleration and hackathon programs, as well as other contextual events. All this leads to the fact that every week after the arrival of spring, events on 3-4 important topics take place in Yerevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor, oversaturating the sphere of Armenian techno-events.

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NFT – a word or abbreviation that has entered our lives everywhere. In the technological and non-technological world, NFT has become such a common word as, for example, online, web or internet. Image by PixMeta.com Studio

What does NFT mean – this question is one of the trendings around the globe in recent 2 years. This answer is floating in various forums, communities and networks where all kind of descriptions and definitions are spreading many of which contradict each other․ “NFT” is the word of the year for 2021 picked by the Collins Dictionary. While it continues to make headlines, many wonder what all the buzz is about and why suddenly we can encounter the term so often. Probably, you have heard that NFT is an abbreviation standing for non-fungible token.

Non-fungible token

NFT – a word or abbreviation that has entered our lives everywhere. In the technological and non-technological world, NFT has become such a common word as, for example, online, web or internet.

We’ve collected and combined a few essential points about NFT, tokens and crypto technologies which will give our readers an overview of NFTs, and perhaps we will be able to ask the most frequently asked question – what does NFT mean and how to use them?

At first sight, it may seem understanding NFTs requires technical knowledge, it must be complex and difficult. However, if you understand the meanings of fungible and token, things start to clear up. Let’s learn what does NFT mean and how people use them?

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What is Parametric (algorithmic) Modeling? 

Parametric modeling, also called parametric solid or algorithmic modeling, and parametric design explains a dimension’s ability to change the model geometry after modifying the dimension value. For non-tech geeks, this sounds quite difficult. So let’s try one more time. Parametric Modeling is the process of creating a digital model that is based on pre-programmed algorithms (parameters). The elements of models are automatically changed instead of being manually manipulated. 

The history of Parametric Modeling is related to the term “parametric” originating in maths that was first used in 1988 when Parametric Technology Corporation released the first successful Parametric Modeling software. The first examples of parametric modeling were introduced in the ’80s with 2D and 3D models.

Moretti discussed parametric architecture and parametric design a few decades earlier, presenting the idea of a parametric design on a stadium model and explaining the dependency of parameters and their forms that changed the viewing angles. 

As a computer-aided design (CAD) software tool, algorithmic modeling is a great time saver that eliminates the necessity of redrawing the same design any time one of the dimensions changes. Before parametric modeling, when modifying any of the elements of 3D solid, the designer had to change the other two parts. With parametric modeling, the adjustments are made automatically. Typically, a designer defines parametric rules that create relationships between different elements within the design. Parametric/algorithmic modeling focuses on those relationships between features changing them upon request. 

Advantages of Parametric/algorithmic Modeling

• The option to build flexible designs

• Multiple ways to view 3D solid models, including rendering

• Design efficiency

• Quick design turnaround

• Better visualization and approach

• Better integration with downstream applications and manufacturing processes to decrease the development time

• Reduced engineering time

• The capability to reuse existing design data for creating new designs

• A valuable tool for creating

•  a model to be used in non-engineering functions

• A clearer view of the future product

• Automated drawing production provided by 3D systems

Whether used in architecture or any other industry, parametric design draws inspiration from nature and its shapes.

Mostly, designers do parametric modeling in-demand, and the design initially has an owner. It is evident that models are private property hidden and shared with stakeholders. So is there no chance to get ready-made parametric models? BeeGraphy features the only source of ready-to-use parametric models available online for editing and downloading.

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Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. You need a Starlink Kit to connect to Starlink’s satellite internet connection, which allows users to connect directly to Starlink’s internet connection from anywhere where the company’s internet coverage is available.

Starlink satellite internet access can provide new quality in local markets, allowing people to use high-quality internet in many remote locations, regardless of cable access.

The Starlink Kit arrives with everything you need to get online including your Starlink, wifi router, cables and base. Starlink requires a clear view of the sky to connect. Download the Starlink App to determine your best install location.

Starlink is a satellite internet connection operated by SpaceX. Starlink internet works by sending information through the vacuum of space, where it travels much faster than in fiber-optic cable and can reach far more people and places.

While most satellite internet services today come from single geostationary satellites that orbit the planet at about 35,000km, Starlink is a constellation of multiple satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe.

Because Starlink satellites are in a low orbit, the round-trip data time between the user and the satellite – also known as latency – is much lower than with satellites in geostationary orbit. This enables Starlink to deliver services like online gaming that are usually not possible on other satellite broadband systems.

Our editorial staff will closely follow the trends of Starlink satellite communication and will inform about updates on Starlink availability in Armenia.

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