Friday Fives
Friday Fives
A round up of five things that have caught our eye (or ear) this past week.
1. STABLECOINS WILL HELP CRYPTOCURRENCIES
Stablecoins, cryptocurrency holding stable value and tied to stable assets, are being touted by many in the crypto world as the key to cryptocurrencies being more than just speculative assets.
Over the past 12-18 months the number of stablecoins has increased dramatically according to a recent research report by cryptocurrency services firm, Blockchain, with 57 live and pre-launch stablecoins being identified.
This recent article in Technology Review looks at this largely unproven technology and their ability to spur the adoption of crypto payment applications.
2. BOTS REPLACING OFFICE WORKERS
So we’re keen watchers in the AI space, looking ahead to the day when we all welcome our new robot overlords (and we’re only half joking here). Techcrunch recently reported on the big inflows of VC capital into the robotic process automation space, the term to describe software used for performing a series of tasks previously carried out by humans. Over USD$600million in investment deals have already been closed so far this year, with valuations topping out at USD$3billion for category leader UiPath. This is a reflection on the bullishness from investors around the impact of this bot-driven technology on routine work, and will be one of the key factors that drives the transformation of work as we know it in the coming decades.
The changing landscape of work and jobs is going to be a disruptive force that we’re only just starting to grasp the full implications of. But it’s clear already that creativity, design and innovation - already critical elements of business competitiveness, are going to be only more crucial for remaining relevant in a world where the routine and mundane is automated away thanks to AI and other advances.
Read more here: “Bots replacing office workers drive big valuations”
3. SXSW PROGRAMMING TRENDS FOR 2019
The annual staple of the music, film and tech industry, SXSW has released the top ten trends were ideas and technologies will merge together which will form the basis of the 2019 programme. Ranging from job design and the future of work, to the evolving cannabis industry, XR, the value of the human touch in music, and music and blockchain hopes over hype - next years programme looks like it is shaping up to be another must attend.
Read more: “ SXSW programming trends”
4. YOU’LL NEVER LOOK AT YOUR COMMUTE THE SAME WAY AGAIN
Half art and half science, the daily commute is reimagined in this beautiful series of animated visualisations.
Craig Taylor, Data Visualization Design Manager at Ito World maps out how far you can travel by car in 30 minutes from the city centre. The visualisations are shaped largely in response to geographical features of the 40 cities and show a series of brightly coloured, coral-like depictions.
See more at Coral Cities
5. ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTAL HEALTH
Over the past week we have been reflecting on entrepreneurship and mental wellbeing. While Mental Health Awareness Week provides a good reminder and focus on mental health issues, this is a conversation that needs to be ongoing. Here are some pieces that have caught our eye on this important topic this week:
A candid, real, and raw conversation from Amy Porterfield about being an entrepreneur while dealing with depression. Listen here.
Studies have shown that the very personality and characteristics of entrepreneurs have a correlation with many of the differences associated with mental health conditions. Michael Freeman, a psychiatrist and former entrepreneur, explains how to prepare for the darker moments as a founder. Read more here.
This week NZ tech company Xero introduced a personal leave policy for wellness and mental health. "Mental health is exactly the same as having a cold [and the policy means] you're able to take time to look after yourself," says NZ Chief Executive Craig Hudson. Read more here.
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Thanks to the folks that suggested content this week. If you have any startup stories, new products, or other thoughts to share, please get in touch.
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