Tech Trends at SXSW

Insights from SXSW - The Metaverse is finally here

This year we were able to go back to SXSW in person for the first time since 2019, the 2020 event having been cancelled due to Covid and 2021 having been held virtually.

One of the highlights of SXSW is always Amy Webb of the Future Today Institute presenting her Emerging Tech Trends Report for the year ahead. According to the report, “People will create multiple digital versions of themselves, each tai- lored for specific purposes.

You can watch the full video of Amy’s presentation here, but here are a few highlights from the hour long session (and 658 page report):

Over 15 years ago a virtual world called Second Life (it still exists today) generated a considerable amount of hype with companies (including travel companies) trying to set up shop - ultimately unsuccessfully.

Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and others it seems as if the idea of the Metaverse has come. “This will lead to fragmentation—and a widening gap between who a person is in the physical world, and who they project in various online platforms.”

The report also says that “online experiences are beginning to take place in virtual 3D environments that emulate those in the real world, from households and workplaces to event venues and retail shops”.

There is no reason why destinations couldn’t be added to that list - give people a preview of where they might be going. Or indeed, airports or even lounges (‘experience the new Metaverse version of our lounge before coming to see it for real.’).

“The lasting economic consequences of climate change are dire”

The other area in Amy Webb’s massive report that should be of interest to anyone working in the travel and transport sectors is climate change and sustainability. Here, the report had this to say:

In terms of sustainability innovators, Amy Webb’s report singled out ZeroAvia, which is working on hydrogen-electric aircraft. ZeroAvia’s timeline is 2024 for commercial planes of 10–20 seats going up to 50+ seats by 2026 and 200+ seats by 2040.

This would support our own predictions that electric / hydrogen flight holds the most promise in the short to medium term for commuter routes.

Hence, United has already placed a large order with Swedish manufacturer Heart Aerospace, for smaller (19 seat) aircraft that you could see being used on small feeder flights. “Companies are reorganizing their workforces in response to climate change. This includes additions to the C-suite and paid time off during extreme weather conditions.

“The lasting economic consequences of climate change are dire. Innova- tions from both big tech companies and startups promise to mitigate the effects, but regulators could stand in the way of progress.

“In 2022, we will start to learn the impact of green stimulus plans in several countries around the world.

“Several new geoengineering initiatives—including cloud injection, dumping iron into oceans, and solar radiation modification—will be tested in 2022.”