The avalanche of new data generated by these gadgets will enable carriers to understand their customers better, leading to new product categories, more tailored pricing, and increasingly real-time service delivery. FREMONT, CA: The disruption caused by COVID-19 shifted the timetables for AI adoption by considerably speeding up insurers' digitalization. The underlying AI technologies are already in use in the workplaces, homes, vehicles, and bodies. Organizations must react almost immediately to accommodate remote workers, extend their digital capabilities to facilitate distribution, and modernize their web channels. While most firms did not engage extensively in AI during the epidemic, the increased emphasis on digital technology and a more substantial openness to embracing change will enable them to integrate AI into their operations.

Needless to say, 8K, 5G and AI rank as some of the major technology trends of the day. However, with a vast number of solutions being rolled out to suit these trends, how to differentiate has become a key element for solutions providers to win out. In this regard, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-based systems-on-chips (SoCs), where differentiation is done at the chip level, can help manufacturers design systems and solutions that are truly unique and special, meeting customers' specific requirements. With 5G providing bandwidth 10 times than that for 4G, 8K video is an ideal choice for telecom operators seeking to provide new applications and contents to generate revenue out of their 5G service. Meanwhile, the need for smarter software and algorithms to help end users across verticals achieve further efficiency and business intelligence has triggered demands for AI.

As I look back at 2017, these are the themes that will help digital and business leaders surge ahead in 2018 -- Digitally Native, Intelligent, Social and Connected (D-I-S-C). As the digital world has become an increasingly detailed reflection of the physical world; digital leaders should start the roadmap for digital natives who accept digital modes as a natural part of their physical world. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have transformed the way individuals interact with each other in alignment with software systems creating an immersive environment. For example, VR has been used for training scenarios and remote experiences. AR, which enables a blend of the real and virtual worlds, enables businesses to overlay graphics onto real-world objects, for e.g.