Hi there,

Fake news, online hate, bizarre politics and visceral events – 50 years on from the moon landings, 2019 might be remembered as one giant leap toward our dystopian future.

Technology has become pervasive across all facets of society. Digital privacy, the rule of the algorithm, the control of digital powerhouses. Software is indeed eating the world.

The issues, of course, will rumble on in 2020 (and no doubt beyond) as we come to terms with the increasing role – and power – of technology and its impact on all of us as consumers and business decision makers.

Of course, there are plenty of new technologies promising fertile ground for local businesses to harness technology in smart, practical ways and succeed here and on the world stage.

The role technologies like AI and robotics will play in the face of the inexorable forces of climate change and sustainability remains to be seen. Come what may, the team here at iStart will keep you abreast of all the latest developments – from the business software you need to know about, to the business of software and its impact on our digital world.

Before we take on 2020, like much of Australia, the team will take a summer break and be back for more bytes in January.

In the meantime, in your final iStart news fix for the year:

Good grief. Workers prefer robot managers. Whatever next.
Reserve Bank Governor calls for digital ID progress
Regulatory action ahead for Facebook and Google?
Australia’s golden fintech days
Enterprise drones take on new business and natural disasters
Delivering a data-driven future for your business

From the team here at iStart, we wish you all a wonderful festive season and hope you have the chance to enjoy some lazy summer days surrounded by loved ones – and find some respite from these crazy times.

Merry Christmas and here’s to a fantastic 2020!

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.com.au

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Most workers would prefer a robot manager

Forget the fear-mongering about AI taking over. Most of us would prefer to be managed by the algorithms…

A new paper from Oracle has found workers more enthusiastic about interacting with AI than their human managers.

“The employee/manager relationship may not just be shape-shifting; its very existence may be called into question.”

[Read more]

DIGITAL IDENTITY

Reserve Bank calls out fragmented digital ID market

As Mastercard enters fray with two local digital ID pilots…

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe has called out Australia’s digital identity ecosystem as being too fragmented and siloed, increasing the risk of security vulnerabilities and creating inconvenience and inefficiencies.

“It is strongly in their interests to make progress here.”

[Read more]

SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION

Govt puts social media giants on notice

ACCC digital recommendations for social, privacy and media endorsed by Govt…

This year’s ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry was a groundbreaking inquiry into the impact of digital search engines, social media platforms and digital content aggregators.

Tech giants operating in Australia will have to accept changes to their operating practices, one way or another.

[Read more]

FINTECH

Fintech glory for Australia, but a long way to go for NZ

Lessons to be had from Lithuania’s success…

In the fintech world, NZ apparently still has a long way to go, but Australia is sitting pretty in the top 10 for global fintech countries.

Many traditional financial centres are missing out on fintech and being usurped by emerging centres.

[Read more]

DRONES

Bushfires and volcanoes giving drones wings

Emergency services, surveillance and monitoring key use cases behind growing demand…

As drones gain increasing prominence in A/NZ skies, Gartner has forecast a 50 percent year on year increase for the enterprise drone market in 2020.

It’s the construction industry which is leading the charge for drone usage.

[Read more]

DATA ANALYTICS

Delivering a data analytics program that delivers

Do you have the data warehouse to support a data driven future?…

Is your business or organisation hungry for the insights – and the ensuing competitive edge – a data analytics program can deliver?

Local businesses have some catching up to do.

[Read more]

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