Technology has utterly transformed over the past few years. That said, there are still some key pain points for end users that need to be addressed. With this in mind, let’s take a look at a few innovations that set out to do just that.
Random Number Generation
Random number generators (RNGs) have long since been used by the online casino industry to digitally mimic the outcome you’d get from rolling dice, picking a card, or spinning a wheel. Take slot games like Fruity Burst at Paddy Power for example – when players spin the reels, the RNG dictates when the reels stop, and what icons land on the reels with each spin, which in turn determines when special symbols or bonus features are activated. As the results of RNGs are not predetermined, this ensures that the gameplay is fair, authentic, and immersive.
In other settings, more complex RNGs might be required, particularly when it comes to cryptography and the security of sensitive data. In these applications, quantum RNGs (QRNGs) are often the top pick. Whilst, traditionally, QRNGs have been quite expensive due to their size and complexity, developers like Quside and Equinix are working to provide the latest QRNG technologies in the most accessible way possible. This should allow more businesses to access state-of-the-art QRNGs in a more cost-effective and budget-friendly way, improving security infrastructure potential for businesses of all sizes.
Artificial Intelligence
Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has boomed in popularity. Due to this increasing interest, AI has seen numerous key developments and is now the backbone of many important everyday technologies. However, the downside of many AI systems is that they need to be programmed with set rules, which means lesser-known cultures and languages tend to miss out on AI that understands their native tongue.
Here in Nigeria, the first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) has broken new ground in establishing AI development in the country. This LLM was part of a joint project between Awarritech, DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR). With the capability to understand low-resource languages and English spoken with an accent, this bolsters more representation for AI systems.
5G
5G is another technology that has seen a huge uptake in popularity. However, the infrastructural change required to run this network can be quite significant and costly. This is even more of a pain point in Africa, which is dominated by 2G and 3G networks, particularly in more rural areas. In fact, 13% of the continent has no coverage at all, 8% higher than the global average.
That said, in the 2023 Africa Mobile Broadband Summit, Huawei announced a renewed interest in developing the continent’s 5G networks in a sustainable and maintainable way, bolstered by their announcement to set up a headquarters in South Africa. This could have a significant impact on the technologies available in more rural areas worldwide, as well as boost the functionality of available tech.
And there you have it – just a few innovations that look to make technologies like RNGs, AI, and 5G more cost-effective, sustainable, accessible, and reliable. All that’s left to do is to see what the future holds for these technological innovations.
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