The Age of Convergence

The incredible evolutionary leaps in AI, graphics chips, in-browser 3D, super-fast broadband, blockchain, and augmented or virtual reality are impressive individually. However, the real magic happens when we combine these technologies in new and interesting ways. A little extra GPU muscle suddenly turns a plain website into a fully interactive 3D space; a bump in network speed makes remote teamwork feel almost local; add a blockchain layer and digital items can seamlessly move between virtual worlds.

Because most of these elements expose open APIs and (mostly) good documentation, building combination solutions is becoming more like clicking Lego bricks than wiring up a research lab.

What really changes the game is the sheer number of ways those pieces can be arranged. Each fresh capability doesn’t just add one more option, it multiplies the routes to a finished solution, opening up an ever-growing catalogue of approaches to the same problem. And because today’s software stacks are built to speak cleanly with data and devices from science, health, manufacturing, and more, these computing mash-ups are well-placed to tackle challenges far beyond pure IT. Suddenly, a browser-based AI tool can guide lab experiments, or a VR training app can tap real-time sensor data from a factory floor - all without rebuilding the foundations, and with each individual part being maintained by external teams. i.e. We no longer have to build and maintain everything.

Where have you seen this compounding effect in action? Which combinations of technologies have you found most surprising or impactful?

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