BY ABEL DENG, CEO, HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
As we enter 2021, we can clearly see that digital economy plays a key role in economic growth. Digital transformation gives all industries access to incredible growth potential, as new business models and applications arising from ICT infrastructure change the way business is run.
Digital Economy – the new economic growth driver
According to research by Huawei and Oxford Economics, ICT infrastructure will drive global digital economy growth to an estimated $23 trillion by 2025.
In Thailand, we are starting to see how the nation is working to drive digital transformation and utilise innovation to become a cutting-edge economic powerhouse. Indeed, the country’s digitisation journey has already begun with the “Thailand 4.0” economic model that concentrates on important advancements and digital improvements to enhance the quality of life, productivity and efficiency of Thai people. The convergence of 5G, IoT, Cloud and AI technologies are the foundations for the Digital Economy, which is estimated to contribute 30% to Thailand’s GDP by 2030. 5G and IoT are at the heart of connectivity, whereas cloud and AI represent the future of computing. Connectivity and computing will further integrate with industries and focus on real-life scenarios and solutions to real problems.
5G will provide much needed low-latency, high-bandwidth and high-reliability connectivity as IoT provides visual awareness.Cloud provides flexible, on-demand, shared universal computing, and AI will provide the element of intelligence of all things.
Technology Mega-Trends affecting our world leading up to 2025
Huawei’s Global Industry Vision 2025 describes the main technology trends shaping our future, the fusion of emerging technologies to boost productivity and help create new opportunities in multiple industries.
These trends are: living and working alongside bots; the increased use of AR/VR; ubiquitous adoption of intelligent personal assistants; intelligent and connected vehicles; augmented creativity; frictionless communication; symbiotic economy, and; 5G rapid rollout and global digital governance. I would like to highlight a few of those trends.
Firstly, the Augmented Creativity Trend, by which the confluence of AI and other emerging technologies will forge a new paradigm of creativity. By 2025, GIV estimates that 97% of large companies will be using AI in their services and operations, increasing efficiency, driving cost reduction and better customer experience. Secondly, Symbiotic Economy, as a product of
a platform-based model of development, where companies can grow their business in a global context. Technology for inclusion, partnerships, and sustainability represents the future and up to 85% of business applications will be cloud-based.
Then there is the rapid rollout of 5G technology. GIV predicts that by 2025 there will be 6.5 million 5G base stations deployed and 2.8 billion 5G users globally, amounting to full 5G coverage available to 58% of the world’s population. It seems incredible but is true. Just imagine what can be possible with over half the world’s population connected to 5G. And finally, the Global Digital Governance, with the need to govern data and prevent infringement of data rights, arising from the sheer amount of data produced globally annually, estimated to reach 180 zettabytes by 2025.
We can see clearly that ICT technology plays a crucial role in pushing these trends. The Intelligent World in 2025 will truly change people’s work and life. Each of us will play an important part in this great change. Let’s embrace the new era together, leaving no one behind. We truly believe that Digital Economy is a major growth engine, and ICT Infrastructure is the Foundation for Digital Economy. We also believe that Digital Transformation is accelerating toward “Intelligent World” and Humans will enter the era of intelligent world in a short time.
Here at Huawei, we are committed to working together with our partners to conquer all challenges, and help the country leap forward with its digital transformation and become the region’s digital hub, thus fulfilling Huawei’s vision of “Bringing digital to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.”