Dr Victoria Holt: life, the universe and everything: Microsoft Ignite March 2021

An amazing keynote as ever. Not so many data announcements this time but that is not to say it wasn’t exciting. Satya Nadella mentioned these 5 key attributes to drive innovation forward utilizing cloud technologies for tech intensity.

1. Ubiquitous And Decentralized Computing

With the radical change in computing architecture and systems from cloud to edge it will result in exponential growth in compute capacity. This transforms interactions between people places and things. With physical and digital worlds converging there is a need for more sovereignty and decentralized control

2. Sovereign data and ambient intelligence

In this world, data will be more private, more sovereign. Data governance and providence will take on new importance. There will be new methods of federated machine learning to drive the next generation of personalized and yet privacy-preserving services

3. Empowered Creators And Communities Everywhere

There needs to be more skills, tools and platforms and collaboration across communities to enable creation. It may be building a virtual world, formulas in spreadsheets or low code tools to build application. The democratization of creation will accelerate and drive new innovation

4. Expanded Economic Opportunity For The Global Workforce

There needs to be flexible working to enable productivity for inclusive collaboration, learning and wellbeing with continuous feedback.

5. Trust By Design

There needs to be ethical principles govern the design, development and deployment of AI. The technology needs to be secure by design and build technology with the design intent to protect the fundamental rights of all people

Microsoft Mesh

Microsoft Mesh, a new mixed-reality platform powered by Azure that allows people in different physical locations to join collaborative and shared holographic experiences on many kinds of devices. It makes me think science fiction just became reality. This is a major shift in maturity and the art of the possible for connecting from anywhere.