Technologies have changed the developing world, whether it’s the world of work as seen by the so-called ‘millennials’ or the different technological perspectives of various cultures and generations.
According to futurist and innovation expert, Paul Papadimitriou, the third industrial revolution has changed lives and businesses from how we learn to how we buy – and how the speed of change can overwhelm, distract and excite in equal measure.
Speaking at the 5th edition of the Digital Dialogue conference, a thought-leadership platform facilitated by MultiChoice to foster a better understanding of the future of video entertainment industries, Papadimitriou shared his outlook on the key signifiers in the crowded digital space.
According to Papadimitriou, what separates us as humankind is the fact that we create tools and stories: “The tools (technology) have always been with us. Technology affects us, our behaviors, how we transact, communicate ideas, gather ideas, love, and consider the world. To prosper in a world that moves and change so fast, we need to get back to our basics, the fire around which we gather and the stories we tell”.
To this end, the understanding of the future of pay TV is influenced by global numbers and the transition to being multi-modal and multi-local. As such, the current challenge for pay-TV companies is to shift the focus from content delivery systems to understanding its consumer through primary data.
Papadimitriou remarked that the way consumers watch TV has evolved whether it’s bitesize formats to non-linear viewing such as watching multiple content on multiple screens. “With the advent of 5G, African consumers will be able to watch TV on all platforms simultaneously”.
