40,000 map better future in Dublin

MOHAMMED FAHAD AL-HARTHI

arabnews

In an overwhelmingly successful three-day event, Dublin played host to 40,000 people seeking to discuss groundbreaking technology that would connect, educate and entertain humankind as never before — in short, how to make the world a better and happier place.

The “Internet Summit” in the Irish capital attracted thousands of innovators pitching their ideas to potential investors, alongside the established tech giants of the world such as Google and Facebook.
Participants were able to choose from an array of seminars in various halls to hear ideas being tossed around about marketing, sports, music, programming and various content. The abiding impression gained was how the Internet had changed the world, and was still doing so at breakneck speed in hundreds of myriad ways.
Facebook made its presence known as expected by showcasing how it perceives the future with purchases including WhatsApp and Instagram. It is clear that the company sees itself as a provider of a broad spectrum of content and services, which have seen its profit margins improve.
What is abundantly clear is that audiences are moving increasingly to using videos, which means that content-creating companies need to invest more in multimedia. Companies are now using their ad-spend increasingly on providers such as YouTube, which looks increasingly like it is replacing traditional television.
It appears that the provision of over-the-top content — information broadcast through the Internet without a multiple-system operator — will change the television industry and the viewing habits of people across the globe.
Google, the owner of YouTube, invited several participants to visit its offices in Dublin, which is the company’s second largest operation outside the United States with more than 6,000 employees.
Google is also known for its innovation around the work environment because its offices appear to be more like entertainment venues, with swimming pools, gyms, game rooms and places to rest and sleep.
A remarkable aspect of the conference was the many promising companies on display. This includes the Toronto-based Wattpad, the online community of readers and writers where books are published a chapter at a time. First-time novelist Anna Todd, a young American, used the site to write “After,” a New York Times best-seller.
The Washington Post revealed an exciting new development. Steve Hills, the paper’s president and general manager, explained how the company had harnessed new media, which has seen increased web traffic, resulting in it being named one of the most creative media houses in the United States.
The most important tool everyone had at the conference was a smartphone, the clear number-one device used to access all types of content. The obvious golden tip from the conference is that it is a must-have, particularly with the proliferation of thousands of apps.
The conference also allowed participants to hook up online using special hashtags. There were even those who were able to search and find a person with a phone charger. Others used it to set up meetings for coffee. Technology was the common denominator in building a community spirit among the participants.
The Internet obviously offers huge potential and opportunities, especially for young, enthusiastic entrepreneurs seeking to use science to connect the planet.
Sadly, it appears that the Arab world is not making much of a contribution. Instead, the Middle East and surrounding areas are seeing people die in the thousands from conflict born out of sectarianism and extremism. The Dublin gathering is a shining example of what the future should look like here.