SURF launches the English-language report SURF Tech Trends 2023 with the most important technology trends for education and research. It is the first time SURF publishes this trend report, which is intended for everyone working in education and research. SURF Tech Trends 2023 provides context, insight and interpretation into the latest technological developments and their potential for education and research.
The report addresses technologies such as advanced computing, artificial intelligence (AI), edge, extended reality (XR), networking and quantum and elaborates on several trends for each technology. For each trend, in addition to an introduction, the report shows the level of development, which forces are influencing it and gives examples of applications for education and/or research. In addition, it describes what impact the trend is most likely to have. The trends have also been tested for public values such as inclusiveness, freedom of education, accessibility, safety, reliability, self-determination and the professional autonomy of teachers, researchers, and institutions.
Artificial Intelligence and Edge SURF
One of the technologies for which the SURF trend report elaborates several trends is AI. For example, federated learning is an application example of the "New Ways to Access Data" trend and the "Towards trustworthy AI" trend includes the development of ethical guidelines as an example, in addition to the creation of algorithm registries. The impact of the trend 'More accessible computers and models' gives low code/no code as an application example and mentions that the impact of the trend contributes to the values freedom and accessibility of education and research.
For technology Edge, the report elaborates on the trend Digital Twins, among others, where digital models are fed real-time reality. One application is the training and simulation of energy systems, which would be too costly or dangerous in the physical world. The impact for research is primarily cost-reducing, and for education it offers opportunities for metaversities: universities that have a digital twin in the metaverse. Robotic Automation is a second trend the report elaborates on, with robots-as-a-service being an example of disruptive effects on the future of work. Although the trend is still in its early stages, the report indicates that in both education and research, people will need to learn to (collaborate with) robots.
Futuring
Several experts were involved in the development of the report to get a complete picture of current and future developments in the sector. The Coordinating SURF Contacts (CSCs) of the institutions provided input and the trend reports from Gartner, McKinsey, Deloitte, Future Today Institute and others were consulted. SURF will continue to continuously improve and expand the content and format of the report in the coming years. It does this together with its members, technical experts and with the guidance of the Scientific and Technical Council. The SURF trend report is part of the futuring activities of the SURF cooperative, which drive innovation and feed it into plans for the future. By participating in joint initiatives, with the members in their role as research institutes and SURF in the role of knowledge distributor.
Source of this article: ANP
