Game-Changing Digital Technologies to Watch by 2030

Valantic published its The Rise of Applied AI Study Digital 2030 report, which highlights the top digital technology trends that are going to develop till 2030. The report states that AI is going to dominate everything over the next few years, and it's going to impact many fields in the next ten years. According to the report, cybersecurity technologies are going to be very important, with 81% of the corporate decision makers surveyed saying that this field has a lot of opportunities and expectations by 2030. 80% of the corporate decision makers said that cloud computing is going to be very important for a company's success, while 79% named artificial intelligence as an important digital technology needed for a company’s success by 2030.

Digital Technology	Very/Rather Unimportant (%)		Very/Rather Important (%)
Cybersecurity technologies	15		81
Cloud computing	17		80
Artificial intelligence	18		79
Internet of Things	17		78
Wireless technologies	20		77
Robotic Process Automation	19		76
Intelligent robots	23		74
Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality	25		72
Green IT	24		71
Quantum Computing	24		70
Digital twin	26		67
Blockchain	28		67
Metaverse	30		66

Even though there is a lot of hype about digital technologies and how much they are going to impact different fields of life, only a few are going to take over pretty much every other field. Cybersecurity technologies are going to be present in every other sector, including healthcare, business and pharma, transportation, production, retail, telecommunication, and utilities. It is followed by cloud computing, which is going to take over transportation, retail & consumer goods, automotives, beverages & food industry, and utilities companies within the next five years.

Artificial intelligence is going to be the third most important digital technology, going to be a priority in all sectors mentioned above, but not as much in utilities companies. The report also stated that the respondents named artificial intelligence the most overrated digital technology for the future. Green IT, Intelligent Robots, Metaverse, and Wireless Technologies are also the digital technologies that the industry experts have considered overrated for the future. The digital technologies that won't be much important in the future are quantum computing, Blockchain, and the Metaverse.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Study Reveals When U.S. Residents Are Most Likely to Detach from Their Phones

The team from Office Recovery looked at different states in America to find out where people are most and least attached to their mobile phones.

Mobile phones have become an important part of our life, but people in different states of America have different levels of attachment to their phones. According to the analysis, 76% of Americans tend to set their phones aside during intimate moments. 65% said that they put their phones away when they are meditating or praying, while 58% put their phones away while taking baths. Americans also put their phones away when they are in work meetings (49%), driving (38%), and at a wedding or salon (36%).

On the other side, we can safely say that, smartphone usage peaks during shopping (11.26%), lunch (10.88%), family time (9.83%), and time with friends (8.87%), as people either feel more comfortable or find themselves needing their mobile devices the most in these situations.

Activity	Percentage of People Who Put Their Phones Away
Intimate moments	76.33%
Praying or meditating	65.52%
Taking a bath	58.61%
Work meetings	49.16%
Driving	38.69%
At a wedding	36.39%
At a salon	36.27%
On a date	33.52%
Using bathroom	32.88%
Working out	30.46%
At the beach	30.25%
On a hike	29.67%
At a concert	27.86%
At a restaurant	27.59%
At a party	19.27%
Dinner	18.13%
Breakfast	17.65%
Watching TV/movies	15.76%
Shopping	11.26%
Lunch	10.88%
Hanging with family	9.83%
Hanging with friends	8.87%

The study found that Pennsylvania is the top state with the most lonely phones, which means people in this state are least attached to their phones. Out of a 100 score for lonely phones, Pennsylvania scored 99, followed by 97 scores of Oklahoma and Oregon. On the other hand, the states with the least lonely phone scores were Louisiana (86), New York (86), and Delaware (84). It was also found that younger generations are more likely to spend more time on their mobile phones than older generations, while one in ten Americans said their phone is always with them, no matter where they are. One in five people say they can go no longer than 30 minutes without checking their phone.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

OpenAI Puts an End to Model Confusion with Clearer ChatGPT Breakdown for All Users

For months, users scratched their heads trying to figure out which ChatGPT model did what. That’s finally changing. A newly published guide from OpenAI now sorts the models into purpose-driven roles, lifting the fog that once blurred the lines between them. While the write-up targets enterprise customers, it spells out answers just as useful for individual users.

At the top of the pile stands GPT-4o, OpenAI’s most versatile option. It handles the daily grind with ease. Whether someone wants a quick summary, help shaping an email, or ideas for content, this model steps in without breaking a sweat. It also taps into advanced features like image understanding, data crunching, file analysis, and interactive tools that respond to voice, pictures, or even video clips. Among all available versions, GPT-4o feels closest to a complete assistant.

For tasks where tone and creative spark matter more than speed, GPT-4.5 fits the bill. It reads the room better, making it a go-to for thoughtful writing and emotionally aware replies. Anyone drafting sensitive messages, brainstorming with nuance, or framing product ideas with flair may find this one to be a better fit than GPT-4o. Just know that its availability stays limited, with a capped number of weekly uses.

Next come three lighter-weight models built more for technical precision than general chatter. Among them, o4-mini works best when speed is key. It runs fast and handles things like math problems, programming hiccups, or simple data work. Think of it as a reliable technician on standby.

Need more accuracy? o4-mini-high brings more brainpower to the table. It slows down slightly but dives deeper, making it helpful for tougher logic problems, longer code explanations, or more layered scientific reasoning.

The heavyweight in this middle range is o3. It takes on bigger puzzles, including business strategy planning, multi-step coding tasks, or advanced analysis that involves juggling charts, data, and documentation. It isn’t the fastest, but it connects dots most others might miss.

Tucked in the back is one last option, the o1-pro model. It doesn’t show up often and works at a slower pace, but when given the room to think, it produces reliable answers on long-winded problems. Risk assessments, research breakdowns, and anything that involves theoretical modeling fall into its wheelhouse. While access remains tightly rationed, its accuracy speaks for itself.

Each model also comes with its own traffic rules. GPT-4o runs without limit under Enterprise. GPT-4.5 allows only twenty tasks each week. o4-mini hits the brakes after three hundred in a day. o4-mini-high stops after one hundred. o3 hits a ceiling at one hundred requests weekly, while o1-pro allows just five tries a month.

Beyond limits, their toolkits differ too. GPT-4o unlocks the full chest — voice, visuals, canvas, document uploads, CSV parsing, video input, you name it. GPT-4.5 trails just behind with slightly fewer real-time features. o4-mini and o4-mini-high come loaded with research support and visual reasoning, while o3 handles deeper workflows and complex research tasks. o1-pro stays simple but accurate, supporting search and image understanding.

With this breakdown now in the open, users can match their workload with the right model without feeling lost. What once felt like guesswork now works more like a map — one where every turn is marked, and the right tools wait at every stop.

While OpenAI’s model clarity marks real progress, the broader AI landscape remains a mixed bag. In past cycles, industries rushed into automation without fully grasping ethical risks or long-term dependencies, often trading reliability for hype. Today, the ease of deploying AI tools tempts both businesses and individuals to over-rely on models not fully understood. Data leaks, false confidence in outputs, and mounting legal uncertainties pose real threats. For businesses, short-term gains may cloud long-term sustainability unless guardrails are in place. For individuals, unchecked reliance could erode critical thinking. The future demands slower, smarter adoption — less excitement, more scrutiny.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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• 200K Website Study Reveals Developing Nations Lag in Speed, Lead in Security Due to Simpler Design
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200K Website Study Reveals Developing Nations Lag in Speed, Lead in Security Due to Simpler Design

According to CISPA researchers, websites in developing countries are smaller and less complex than websites in developed countries. This study was done after looking at 200,000 websites from 20 countries and comparing those websites from developed and developing nations. The study also found that the websites from developing countries have performance issues, but they are less vulnerable to security threats because of their simplicity.

The researcher at CISPA, Masudul Bhuiyan analyzed the database of 200,000 websites from 20 countries, 10,000 websites from 10 most populated developing countries like India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines and Russia, and 10,000 websites from 10 most populated developer countries like Germany, Spain, South Korea, Italy, US, Japan, Canada and Australia, UK and France. Country-specific domains were used, and the researchers also looked at WHOIS data for the websites. Automated web tools like Puppeteer and Google Lighthouse were used to crawl and gather the information on websites like their speed and performance, privacy tools, size and complexity, and security.

The researchers found that websites in developing countries are simpler and smaller, which makes them best for mobile internet use. But these websites also have inefficient coding, like unnecessary codes, poor image formats, less use of HTTPS, and non-mobile-friendly design. The websites from developed countries have more cookies and trackers, probably because of advanced advertising strategies, even if they have stricter privacy laws. Websites in developed countries were also more likely to use JavaScript libraries, which could be security risks.

Image: Unsplash / Lee Campbell

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Zombie Accounts Surge Across Major Platforms With Pandora, Groupon, and Shutterfly Leading the Pack

The number of users of an online service shows its popularity among people. But the latest survey by Secure Data Recovery indicates that numbers alone do not show the actual status of any platform. This is due to dormant, inactive or zombie accounts that almost account for 30% to 40% of some online services.

The survey comprised 2,493 Americans who revealed their online services accounts that they have not used in the last 12 months. The survey asked participants about 94 online services which included social media services, financial services, productivity services etc.

Surprisingly, 94% participants claimed having a zombie account. Because of having an account on 5 or 10 online services, it is likely that users will stop using some of those accounts over time. This is why the percentage is so high.

40% participants said that they had an inactive Pandora account. The website provides music services to users. Due to better music services available today — like Spotify or Apple Music — Pandora has lost its value among its users.

The e-commerce website Groupon is next. It offers users coupons and special offers or deals. But it is difficult to keep buying stuff using a single website. That is what has happened to Groupon. Users just lost interest.

Shutterfly is at number three. And it is followed by the websites having similar functions - Dropbox, Tumblr and Flickr. These websites are used for photo sharing. Photos are now available in abundance all over the internet. Also, smartphones have made taking photos as per one's wishes easier. This has made such photo sharing websites old-fashioned.

The survey also categorized online services into three categories: dating, work and financial. In the dating category, Tinder and OkCupid top the list, with 33% participants claiming to have left Tinder. Huge variety in dating apps keeps users moving from one app to another.

In the work category, Dropbox is the leader. Mainly used for sharing files, Dropbox has become old-fashioned due to better ways of sharing files have emerged. Users will not stick to websites or apps that are not convenient anymore.

And in the financial category, Acorns and Mint lead this category. Mint was used by people to budget their spendings better and more efficiently. This was not something compulsory or important, so 32% left Mint accounts long ago. Similarly, Acorns offers investment services. Frankly speaking, it is hard to convince people to stay active on a website for investment purposes only.

Up to this point, the data has highlighted the percentage of accounts that have remained inactive. But what online services caused the most disappointment to users? As per the survey, Facebook leads the list of causing the most disappointment. X (formally Twitter) and Amazon Prime Video follow Facebook.

Though Facebook and X are the two most popular social media platforms, users' disappointment in them could be due to their high expectations, not met. Or maybe it was due to their bad experience on these platforms.

Amazon Prime Video faces tough competition with other video streaming services, like YouTube and Netflix. So it is understandable that Amazon Prime Video might not be up to the expectations of some users due to their liking for other video streaming services.

But do Americans also miss any online services? Yes, the survey reveals that some participants regret leaving Netflix and YouTube and want to start using them again. Both Netflix and YouTube have gained a lot of success and popularity over the years. Netflix has given users access to their favourite TV shows and movies. On the other hand, YouTube is the top most video streaming service in the world, providing information, education and entertainment at the same time. Therefore, it is not a surprise that leaving both platforms would cause regret.

This survey has given us an insight into the value of the number of accounts on online platforms. These numbers could be just mere numbers without any active role. The true number of accounts that exist on an online platform are only those which are active, not the ones which have been dormant for more than a year.

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Google Sees Surge in Visits Following AI Overviews Yet Time on Site Declines

According to a new analysis by Kevin Indig based on Similarweb data, Google search visits have increased, but people are spending less time there. This analysis was done after looking at 20 million websites and 5 billion searches in the UK, the US, and Germany. The analysis also found that visits on Google have increased by 9% after introduction of AI Overviews in May 2024. Search queries are the same as before, but users are spending less time on sites and viewing less pages. This means that people are visiting Google more but are leaving faster as they get their answers quickly and move on.

The analysis also found that monthly visits on Google rose from 26.9% to 29.1% after AI Overviews launched, and page views on AI Overview-related keywords increased by 22%. AI Overviews launched recently in Germany, and the time spent on sites has dropped significantly, and users are visiting fewer pages.

The search behavior after AI Overviews hasn’t changed much, with query length in the US being up to 3%, which equals 3.27 to 3.37 words. Query length has dropped a little in the UK while it rose 0.4% in Germany. Over 1.5 billion people see AI Overviews every month, and they have been dominating the top of search results for quite some time now, so it's important for SEO experts to know how this can affect the search behavior.

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TikTok Faces Heavy Fine for GDPR Breach, Must Halt Data Transfers to China if Non-Compliant

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined TikTok a hefty 530 million euros for breaching EU privacy laws. The company was found transferring user data from the European Economic Area (EEA) to China, a clear violation of the GDPR regulations.

The fine isn't the only penalty. TikTok has six months to align its data handling practices with EU standards. If the company doesn't make the necessary changes in time, it must halt all data transfers to China.

The DPC's investigation uncovered that TikTok allowed staff in China to access personal data from European users without proving the same level of security protections that the EU requires. TikTok also failed to consider China’s national laws, which could expose data to government authorities.

At first, TikTok told the DPC it wasn't storing EEA user data on Chinese servers. However, to everyone’s surprise, TikTok later admitted that some data had been transferred and deleted after it was discovered in February.

This fine is part of a broader pattern. Regulators have been cracking down on companies that provide misleading information, like how Ofcom recently penalized OnlyFans for misrepresenting its age verification system.

Image: DIW-Aigen

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