Guy LundyGuy Lundy


Economic growth and collapse were largely influenced by technology
As technology ploughs ahead, major advancements will play a dominant role in economic growth.
This is according to Guy Lundy, CEO of Accelerate Cape Town, who spoke at ITWeb’s Unified Communications conference in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

He said by 2018, it’s likely that a computer will have the same amount of processing power as the human brain, and will cost under $1 000.

“The Theory of Singularity states that by 2049, computers will surpass the intelligence of all human beings and people will become interlinked with technology.”

Lundy pointed out that during the past few decades, the world experienced a time of economic growth and collapse; which he explained is largely influenced by new technologies.

“We can expect to see in the next 20 to 30 years, a period of significant growth driven by unified communications.

“A combination of nanotechnology and biotechnology is the next technology wave that will be propelling economic growth,” added Lundy.

Lundy said: “In 1977 Ken Olson, president and founder of minicomputer manufacturer DEC, said: ‘There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.’”

He explained communications are becoming ubiquitous. He said this is bridging the economic divide between rural and urban areas.

“Over 50% of the world’s population live in cities, and this enables them to access technology and jobs. By 2050, about 80% of the world’s population will live in cities.”

He said global connectivity between mobile devices is increasing exponentially, and this will be the year of accelerating economic returns due to technology developments.

“Robots are everywhere, and have become a daily part of our lives. Connectivity will increase and online will become free.”

Lundy indicated a cross-pollination of technologies will lead to new innovations in the future. “The implementation of smart cars linked to intelligent road systems will spell the end of road accidents because roads and cars will interact with one another so that the car drives itself.”

According to Lundy, ubiquitous connectivity in the future will mean that the world will require different jobs. He said new automated technologies will replace hard labour and there will be fewer jobs available.

Lundy added: “What we’ve seen in the last couple of months in terms of the development of unified communications, will extend itself to the next couple of years.” According to the ITWeb and Unified Communications Survey released last week, the majority of respondents’ companies are either using or considering implementing unified communications enabling infrastructures. Of this group (61%), only 40% of companies have already implemented it.

Seventy one percent of respondents are either using or considering implementing collaboration tools or systems. Of those, only 52% have already implemented collaboration tools.