Zone’s Rianna Mitchell handpicks and shares the five best news stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. The future of music is in AI
Award-winning producer and DJ David Guetta thinks “the future of music is in AI,” according to comments he made to the BBC at this year’s BRIT Awards. The French DJ used artificial intelligence (AI) sites to create lyrics and a rap that mimicked US rapper Eminem in a new song he played during a live performance.
Guetta compared AI to the invention of previous influential musical instruments and believes musicians will use AI to create new musical sounds in the future, as “every music style comes from a new technology.” He shared the Eminem-style vocal online to open discussion and bring awareness to AI music.
2. Second-hand tech in high demand
Currys expands its trial of selling refurbished technology on its online store in response to the cost-of-living crisis and growing eco-consciousness amongst British consumers. According to the tech retail chain, sales have skyrocketed, with 80% of its refurbished product lines selling out within the first week of sales, laptops being particularly in high demand.
Previously, customers could only purchase second-hand tech graded in ‘excellent’ condition. This week, the retailer has started selling a range of items in ‘very good’ and ‘fair’ conditions for lower prices.
3. A step into the ‘Magic Mirror’
Vyking has launched the first-ever augmented reality (AR) ‘Magic Mirror’, which enables consumers to virtually try on footwear in-store before purchasing. Shoppers choose their desired footwear via an in-store display on a tablet before the 3D model is beamed into the digital mirror for them to visualise footwear on their own feet.
The AR solution enhances the retail experience by providing an interactive buying journey and potentially reducing waiting times and pressure on staff when retrieving items from the stockroom. Founder and CEO of Vyking said, “virtual try-on solutions contribute to up to a 50% increase in conversions and a 7% reduction in returns.”
4. €3.75 billion investment for tech startups
Five EU member states and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched a €3.75 billion investment fund to support the most promising European tech companies in their late-stage development. It also aims to increase the continent’s competitiveness in innovation to secure a sustainable future.
The initiative helps European tech startups to compete globally and become market leaders. Founder of ECTI said, “closing this scale-up gap could create a large number of highly skilled jobs and boost growth.” However, operating at speed and cultivating a startup-friendly environment are believed to be equally important.
5. Companies worried about employee retention
LinkedIn’s latest Workplace Learning report reveals 93% of companies are concerned about employee retention. While turnover and skills shortage remains a challenge for talent development professionals, workers aged 18 to 34 are most likely to value career growth and skill-building opportunities over work-life balance.
Linda Jingfang Cai, LinkedIn’s VP of Talent and Development, says companies are shifting their talent strategies to focus on skills, and learning and development are essential to this work. For IT, the most in-demand skills by function are management, SQL and Microsoft Office.
