The f(x) = e^x | Nature’s next big leap and blockchain brouhaha

The f(x) = e^x | January 11, 2023 — Vol. 199

Good Day! This is my weekly newsletter, with a dose of insights into the future. The topic of this newsletter is the exponential times we live in, hence the title of f(x) = e^x, which is the (natural) exponential function.

You can visit The Digital Speaker to book me as a keynote speaker for your next event or to hire me as a future tech coach for your CEO. Don’t forget to tune in to my Step into the Metaverse podcast or read my top ten technology trends for 2023.

What is Synthetic Biology — The Next Big Leap for Nature

My latest article:

Synthetic Biology is a field that aims to engineer living organisms and systems. It’s different from traditional biology in that it allows researchers to modify the DNA of organisms to change their structure and function. It has the potential to revolutionise many aspects of our lives by providing new products and solutions, such as biofuels, drugs, and new materials, but it also has potential risks, such as the potential impact on the environment or safety issues.

The novel technology can help address global challenges such as climate change, food security, ocean pollution, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable manufacturing by improving production efficiency and reducing the use of fossil fuels. It’s also used in the pharmaceutical and textile industries to produce more efficient drugs and sustainable materials.

Synthetic biology is poised to provide up-and-coming solutions to societal problems, so organisations must pay attention. It is the next frontier in biotechnology, and the possibilities are endless, but stakeholders will have to work together to harness the incredible potential of synthetic biology.

Enjoy this deep dive into the potential of synthetic biology.

Useful Nuggets of Information

My weekly tips from around the web to get you thinking.

1. An AI that can make Mark Zuckerberg say, “I’m sorry”.

Microsoft has announced a new AI model called VALL-E, which can replicate a person’s voice with just a 3-seconds audio sample. This means you can finally get Mark Zuckerberg to say, “I’m sorry”. The technology will enable many possibilities, like simulating voices for text-to-speech apps, editing speeches, or even creating new audio content like a robot version of your grandma’s voice. (Ars Technica)

2. Twitter Apocalypse: where to cancel if Twitter is gone?

Twitter is the ultimate platform for people to unleash their complaints and frustrations. It’s the perfect place to get instant relief because who doesn’t love seeing a big company squirm after reading a tweet calling them out? We call these events “cancellations” because who doesn’t love cancelling someone or something? Twitter is the perfect home for these cancellations, with its ability to amplify attention-grabbing conversations and hashtags. But if Twitter is gone, where do people have to go cancel? (The Atlantic)

3. Iran is using facial recognition to enforce Hijab laws.

Iran uses facial recognition technology to track and enforce dress codes on women, particularly the mandatory wearing of hijabs. The government’s use of the technology has raised concerns among human rights advocates, as those who do not comply with dress codes face fines, arrests, and other penalties. (Wired)

4. Blockchain Brouhaha: from Bitcoin blessings to crypto curses

Once upon a time, companies were eager to add “Blockchain” or “Crypto” to their names, thinking it would make them sound cooler and more in-trend. But like that one guy at the party who won’t stop talking about Bitcoin, it turns out people just found it annoying. With the recent crypto crash, more and more companies are dropping the “B-word” from their names like it’s a bad habit. (Washington Post)

My latest podcast: Building Communities in The Metaverse

In EP31 of the Step into the Metaverse Podcast, I interviewed the Co-Founder/Producer of Big Rock Creative (BRCvr), Athena Demos. Don’t miss out on our conversation as we discuss how brands can contribute to the metaverse and how governments should embrace the metaverse to develop public virtual spaces for everyone to enjoy.