The universal desire to experience joy, wonder and amazement remained constant in 2022, with people expecting similar experiences that evoke ‘kando’, or an emotional connection, in 2023. These are among key technology trends identified by Sony Middle East & Africa, which has charted strong growth in the Middle East in 2022 as it supports the region’s growing media, entertainment and gaming industry with better services and products.
Joebin Joejoe, Deputy Managing Director at Sony Middle East and Africa, said “We are increasingly witnessing people’s offline lives and emotions becoming deeply intertwined with their digital lives. At Sony, we believe technology is a tool to add more value and opportunity for a richer, more emotional life – and we will be focused on delivering enhanced experiences through emerging technologies in 2023.”
Sony has identified three key trends that are set to dominate the digital landscape in 2023.
Rise of the metaverse
Networks are rapidly expanding into an interactive entertainment space that delivers live experiences while also providing a social element, in the form of the metaverse. Sony views the rise of the metaverse from a less dystopian perspective in 2023 and anticipates the rise of a social and live network space where games, music, movies, and anime intersect. Mocopi, Sony’s wearable motion-tracking system makes metaverse more engaging and fun. A PoC (proof of concept) is being conducted by Sony with English Premier League football club Manchester City to realise the next generation of online fan communities and engagement by experiencing metaverse content as if they were in Etihad Stadium. Fans can create their own customisable avatars, connect with millions of fans across the globe, and access various services to increase engagement.
Emergence of adaptive and generative AI
The use of state-of-the-art AI is set to take off in 2023, especially Adaptive AI and Generative AI. Conventional AI can only detect and analyse picture elements like colour, contrast and clarity individually, with the picture element enhanced to only a certain level. But the way the world is perceived is based on all kinds of information coming from our eyes and ears to our brain. For example, Sony’s technology in its Alpha 7RV mirrorless camera features an advanced AI focusing system that can accurately detect not only human faces, but also birds, animals and insects. Similarly, Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR cross-analyses hundreds of thousands of elements at once and delivers immersive realism. Meanwhile, Sony’s new high-tech electric vehicle Afeela will have AI, virtual reality and augmented reality, representing the concept of an interactive relationship where people feel the sensation of interactive mobility by utilising sensing and AI technologies.
3D Optical Technology
The 3D content and animation market will continue to grow in the coming years. Despite the 3D optical developments in recent years, the need for 3D glasses or precise viewing angles limited the adoption rate and potential applications for 3D optical displays. Sony’s Spatial Reality Display (SR Display) technology reproduces the real world with 3D spatial images on a 2D screen – so that specially crafted 3D content can be viewed by the naked eye without special glasses or headsets. SR Display allows viewers to see the depth, texture, and appearance of the object with a real sense of presence, reproducing medical images and product designs more realistically.
