With each new year comes a flurry of new tech trends set to shape the next 12 months – and as we kick off 2023, things are no different. The new innovations are coming in thick and fast, and just when you thought we couldn’t move much further into the digital world, it seems we’re about to do just that.
As the development of the metaverse gathers momentum, we can expect to see brands and businesses of all kinds scrambling to embrace this new and exciting three-dimensional universe, which has widely been dubbed the ‘internet 2.0’. But as individuals, we’ll also be moving closer towards embracing this brave new world, and it’s set to transform everything, from the way we work to our social lives.
It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that some of the top trends we can expect to see this year are in some way related to the Metaverse – and below we’ve highlighted the major ones to watch out for.
Advances in AI (artificial intelligence) and the online casino space
Sourcing our entertainment online is nothing new, but in 2023, what’s on offer is about to get all the more exciting. The recent global pandemic saw a dramatic surge in the number of new sign-ups to some of the biggest and best online casino platforms, and although the reopening of land-based establishments has seen many traditional gamblers return to their former in-person habits, many of the top providers (check here for some of the most popular) have done well to return a slice of this new customer base long-term.
This is largely thanks to the introduction of live dealer and gaming experiences alongside innovative AI (artificial intelligence) technology, which has made the customer experience entirely seamless from start to finish, as well as ensuring that the deposit and withdrawal process is more secure. And in 2023, we can expect to see uptake amongst providers soar even further as they strive to attract new high-rollers and keep them coming back for more.
Extended reality to expand beyond gaming
You’ve almost certainly heard of virtual reality, and most likely augmented reality, too – but in 2023, the focus will be all about combining the two in what is now being described as ‘extended reality’.
In the gaming space, both virtual and augmented reality are becoming increasingly popular, with accessories such as glasses and headsets making it possible for players to enter a whole new world simply by looking into them – but as the year gets underway, we can expect to see extended reality infiltrating various other fields beyond gaming and being used to solve problems of all kinds.
The technology works by combining the real world with a ‘digital twin’, mirroring it and allowing the two to interact with one another. A prime example of this is, of course, the Metaverse, but it is already beginning to be applied across the likes of real estate, remote working and the wider entertainment sphere, and we’re set to see it expand its reach exponentially in 2023.
Crypto and blockchain
Thought you’d seen the last of cryptocurrencies following the recent widespread market crashes? Think again, for this latest drama is just another hallmark of a typically volatile asset that is ultimately set to continue its upward trajectory – give or take a few shocks here and there.
Although ongoing economic factors mean that 2023 is likely to be a challenging one for cryptocurrencies across the board, the ongoing development of blockchain technology and the recent upgrades to some of those considered the most promising – such as Ethereum – is something that shouldn’t be ignored, and that is almost certain to boost the value of the digital currencies concerned in the longer term.
Perhaps more interestingly, blockchain is the technology that underpins the Metaverse and made it possible, and it has already been used to establish this decentralised network of 3D spaces and virtual worlds. And decentralised tokens which also rely on blockchain technology will be used to make transactions within the Metaverse, such as for buying and selling virtual real estate, playing games and purchasing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – so their role will eventually be a multi-faceted one.
It’s clear that blockchain has an important role to play in our digital future, and as they become increasingly valuable to us, so, too, will their related cryptocurrencies. Of course, not all of them will survive, and those which fail to continue adapting and upgrading the blockchains they work on will undoubtedly fall behind. In 2023, it’s sink or swim – and only time will tell which will come out on top.
