There is no doubt at this point that the tech industry as a whole is the one to watch for the most exciting new prospects in the future, both in business and as a public consumer. Technology is set to be the focal point of the next five decades and well beyond that, and with last year’s announced extra funding into AI and technology, Manchester looks set to take full advantage. Here are just some of the applications we see going forward.
Commercial AI
One of the stated goals behind the funding was to establish Manchester as a leader in commercial AI development. What makes this a promising business area is that practically every kind of industry linked to technology will have some use for AI.
This could be more advanced customer support systems similar to those already in use by major companies like BT or Ryanair, or it could be enhanced security systems as required in online casinos. With large-scale money transactions taking place almost constantly, sites like Paddy Power Online Bingo need systems in place able to accurately detect issues at a speed human operators alone couldn’t do. When you also have AI software development tools and advanced customer service platforms added in, commercial AI could be a massive business boon to the city.
Sustainable Materials
As another section of that funding, a lot of focus was put on the development of sustainable materials and building an industry for it around Greater Manchester. The concept of sustainable materials means materials like plastics and others that are manageable for the environment by being easily recyclable, biodegradable, or otherwise low-impact on ecology.
In Manchester, the funding will focus on the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub, part of the University of Manchester which aims to make the city and the surrounding area a major part of the supply chain. Production facilities in the world for these materials are limited and there’s a good opportunity to establish Manchester in the gap. More importantly, it’s an industry that doesn’t have much of an expiry date itself as sustainable materials are going to be needed for the foreseeable future.
A Bit Of Both?
It is worth mentioning that Manchester is also the home of a company that has managed to combine both AI aspects as well as sustainable materials into one project. Working with the previously mentioned University of Manchester as well as several other developers and startups, Sourceful provide tools to brands to design and create their own sustainable packaging.
The company has received international media attention and has already attracted several forward-thinking companies to the concept including Fenton, Hylo and even the National Trust. By providing details of the full supply chain as well as tracking of a company’s carbon footprint at each step of the journey, it makes eco-awareness accessible and practical for businesses.
As it stands, Manchester is undergoing something of a tech renaissance and these are far from the only exciting projects in the city, so make sure you keep your eye out for all the other innovations popping up!
