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E-waste will go down because of COVID, but for all the wrong reasons | Grist - 0 views

  • Global sales of electronics and electrical equipment took a hit during the first three quarters of 2020, according to a U.N
  • more than 5 million tons of future e-waste were avoided during that time period
  • n recent years as more people in developing nations gain access to modern technology, product life cycles become shorter, and device repair becomes more difficult.
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  • High-income countries in North America and Europe, the researchers found, only saw a 5 percent dip in overall electronics sales.
  • People living in lower income nations in the Global South, meanwhile, bought 30 percent fewer electronics overall, including fewer cell phones and laptops
  • Tech Dump and others have also seen “a huge increase in the number of people coming in and dropping off electronics.”
  • people spending more time at home and “needing to get rid of what we call the pile of denial,
  • rebound effect in wealthier countries, where electronics sales were up significantly in the third quarter of 2020 compared with the first tw
  • A pandemic-driven e-waste dip may give nations “a little bit of breathing space” to strengthen their recycling infrastructure, Baldé said. “But it’s not a lot of oxygen.
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    This article touches on how Covid gave some relief of e-aste but not enough to make such a difference. Since many people were home during the pandemic, it was time enough for people to do some spring cleaning. Heavier electronic devices will reduce e waste production by 5.4 million tons but electronic sales grew at the end of last year. We wont really see the imapct of the pandemic right away but over time.
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Cloud PMS Advantages | WebRezPro - 0 views

    • leahesper
       
      Bookings, check-ins and housekeeping reports are always at your finger tips!
  • While on-premise hotel management software can cost thousands of dollars to set-up and maintain, WebRezPro is a SaaS [Software as a Service] that costs $5/month/room (min $60/month) — with minimal upfront costs. Discount rates apply to larger hotels and hotel groups.
  • As a cloud-based system, hoteliers benefit from improved PMS accessibility and flexibility, while reducing overhead expenses and technical frustrations.
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  • WebRezPro runs via the Internet, so there is no need to install or maintain computer software.
  • WebRezPro users always have access to the system’s latest features — and updates are free and seamless.
  • WebRezPro represents the future of hotel property management.
  • Featuring an integrated online reservation system, there is no need to allocate separate room inventory for Web bookings.
  • WebRezPro has two-way interfaces to Expedia, Booking.com and many others.
  • Your reservation data is automatically stored in a secure computer facility with redundant Internet connections, 24-hour monitoring and diesel-powered electrical backup.
  • WebRezPro is accessible from any mobile device (tablets and smartphones) connected to the Internet, allowing you to manage your property anytime and from anywhere.
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The Advantages of Green Technology in Construction | Chron.com - 0 views

  • Although the up-front costs for green technologies are often higher, the lifetime savings are significant. Green technologies are designed to use resources efficiently, which usually leads to financial savings for the owner. With a green building, you can see big savings in utility bulls.
  • Over 20 years, a single solar water heater can keep over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions out of the atmosphere; geothermal pumps reduce emissions by up to 70 percent and use up to 50 percent less electricity.
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    The advantages of Green Technology in construction. How consumers and Companies can benefit from this option.
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11 Facts About E-Waste | DoSomething.org - 0 views

  • 11 Facts About E-Waste
  • 20 to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed worldwide every year
  • Americans dump phones containing over $60 million in gold/silver every year.
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  • Only 12.5% of e-waste is currently recycled
  • Recycling 1 million laptops saves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,657 U.S. homes in a year
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    This arctic talk about 11 facts about E-waste. For example,Only 12.5% of e-waste is currently recycled.
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Ultra-Luxury Sinclair 'Smart Hotel' Outfits Every Guest Room with LG OLED TVs | Digital... - 0 views

  • the first truly smart hotel in the United States. And, with top-of-the-line OLED hotel TVs from LG Business Solutions USA in every room
  • world’s first hotel to run almost entirely on Power-over-Ethernet
  • 55-inch LG OLED 4K UHD TVs in all 164 guest rooms and 65-inch LG OLED 4K UHD Wallpaper displays in 15 luxury suites and public areas – creating the ultimate digital guest experience.
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  • The difference between a traditional mirror TV and our smart mirror TV is that performing physical maintenance on the traditional version requires taking the whole mirror off the wall, which is a labor-intensive process. With Pro:Idiom integrated into the smart mirror, we now have a solution that is much simpler to install and service. It no longer needs to be removed from the wall. The service now happens through the software. Plus, it can even be powered through Power-over-Ethernet
  • The Sinclair Hotel’s use of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) throughout the entire property is a leap forward in design and efficiency. All guest rooms and common areas run almost entirely on PoE, so there are very few 120-volt outlets or appliances. This technology enables the hotel to reduce its energy consumption by 30 to 40 percent while reducing the risk of electrical malfunctions
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    This article spoke about Marriott's new luxury smart hotel, which may actually be the first fully smart hotel in the U.S. The hotel is powered fully by Power of Ethernet which allows it to save about 30 to 40 percent on energy consumption. The hotel also has OLED TVs in every guest room, which consumes the least energy among televisions. Furthermore, the mirrors in the bathroom are smart mirrors which means that there is no need to remove the mirror to fix it, you can simply fix it online through the software.
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How IT Can Go Green | Top Stories | | Hospitality Magazine (HT) - 2 views

  • In the world of information technology (IT), the green movement is taking shape. There are numerous opportunities for IT professionals to take leadership roles in helping their organizations to adopt sustainable practices. Technology is a tool to provide solutions, but regrettably, technology can also be a source of the problem due to factors like energy consumption and the environmental impacts when disposing of obsolete or broken technology (i.e., e-waste). Therefore, we will need to look at situations and technology usage via multiple lenses to try to assess the net impact to determine if the outcomes are truly desirable and positive versus negative. This often requires asking tough questions and looking for possible unintended consequences before decisions are being made
  • Like any business initiative, green IT projects will require strong commitment from an organization’s top management and investment in time and resources at all levels.
  • In order for tourism to prosper, we cannot afford to let our environment erode.
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    Green information technology(IT), referred to as green computing, is a term used to describe the application of automated resources in an efficient manner. Green IT originates with system manufacturers producing environmentally friendly products and encouraging users to adopt eco-friendly practices such as reducing paper usage through minimal printing, operating more efficiently with power management,and exercising proper recycling habits.As global information technology environmental standards continue to expand, it is highly likely that guidelines governing product life span, power consumption and recyclable resources will be in the forefront.
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    This article shares how IT is going green in several areas including hospitality. It speaks to digital marketing, e-waste, and appealing to employees to aid in using technology responsibly. The use of energy saving techniques and energy star products.
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    As our natural resources are being depleted rapidly and technology is changing faster than ever resulting in mountains of "e-waste", I believe the IT industry should focus a vast amount of their efforts in the area of sustainability or going green. In the hospitality and tourism industry maintaining natural resources and cutting down on the consumption of water, energy and paper is an IT issues that we can all support. The focus of this article was about revealing opportunities where IT can go green. Sustainability is good for the environment, the viability of the hospitality industry, the guests, and the bottom line. According to the article, IT leadership needs to take "a leadership role in helping their organization to adopt sustainable practices". Some of the areas where IT can look at going green are as follows (information taken directly from the article): * Using IT responsibly and effectively to reduce energy, water and paper consumption * Deploying effective technology practices such as Energy Star compliance to power down computers automatically after periods of inactivity and server virtualization * Tackling e-waste and deploying recycling technologies to reduce environmental waste and impacts * Digital marketing practices * Marketing strategies to report and promote green practices A commitment of time, money, and resources will be required from all levels of leadership in order for green IT projects to work. Companies have to educate their employees and guests to create awareness, implement practices such as energy audits, device shut downs to force people to use media, and give rewards to get the buy in. Even though the payback of green initiatives may take a long time, the upside is that you are being environmentally conscious and doing the right thing.
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    I highlighted in blue the sections I was most interested in, I found the passage about reducing faxing and photocopying to be most interesting. There is no reason to be so reliant upon these when you can send attachments through your smart phone. Hotels and other properties can unplug these machines to save money on the electric bill. There are otherways to be paperless, for example.The article I spoke of was about how hotels can limit the need to priint itemized bills and reciepts, all charges can be posted right to the mobile app on the smart phone. The mobile app on the smart phone will even unlock and lock your room doors and allow enterance to the spa and fitness center. There won't be a need for plastic room keys anymore either.
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    In hospitality industry, IT technology brings many benefits to us, but it is also a source of pollution when disposing of broken technology. There are many advantages of green IT movement such as reducing energy, water, paper, environmental waste and impacts, etc. Although it has many benefits, green IT projects need support from company's top leaders in both time and resources. The ROI of green IT is a little bit longer than other types of projects, but it has upside potential and intangible benefits. Green IT practices are not contrary with making money, so hoteliers should take measures to lead the organization on its journey to green action.
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What Is Green Lodging and Why Is It Important | By Kacey Bradley - Hospitality Net - 0 views

  • Businesses that fail to adapt may find customers visiting with competitors.
  • In one 2017 survey, 19% of travelers said they would pay more for a vacation with a green electricity resort.
  • Sustainable hotels have lower operating costs, shaving 8% off expenses in the first year.
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  • Hotel Indigo in Dubai runs entirely on solar power.
  • Boutiquehotel Stadthalle in Vienna uses a combination of solar panels, photovoltaic cells and groundwater heat pumps.
  • Plus, guests will stick around longer, with a 36% higher dwell rate compared to hotel lobbies without biophilic features.
  • Future hotels are not only energy efficient but coexist peacefully with natural habitats.
  • The real-time reporting can track inefficiencies and optimize performance to save energy, reduce waste and cut costs.
  • Green lodging refers to any hotel or resort that commits to environmentally-friendly practices.
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    Consumers are significantly more eco-concious in their daily lives which translates significantly to their hotel experience. They want to ensure that they and the hotels they stay at are doing their best efforts to be green. Hotels that create green initiatives see more return from those guests. Cloud computing is also one of those initiatives.
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    19% of travelers said they would pay more to vacation with a green resort. Sustainable hotels are shaving 8% off expenses in their first year. Biomimicry is the future of because they will not only be energy efficient but coexist peacefully with the natural habitat.
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    Hotel Indigo in Dubai runs entirely on solar power. With a digital building management system, the hotel can monitor, control and track energy use to become more efficient. Biophilic Design Biophilic design in hotels can achieve a sense of serenity, mixing natural with artificial. Plus, guests will stick around longer, with a 36% higher dwell rate compared to hotel lobbies without biophilic features. Repurposed Materials At RIMBA Jimbaran Hotel in Bali, Indonesia, the lobby is built from driftwood and the remnants of old fishing boats. Sustainable Architecture The wave coursing, while not eco-friendly, accurately matches the original 1920s architecture. Biomimicry Solutions Biomimicry in hotel design can enhance the guest experience for the modern, eco-conscious traveler. A hotel could generate power using wind, absorb sunlight and collect and recycle rainwater. Cloud Computing Combined with automation, which won't bog down internal operations, a hotel can monitor performance, manage energy use, detect felt and diagnostics and much more.
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5 best recycling practices from around the world | BBVA - 1 views

  • one of the key strategies that countries need to embrace is the so-called “three Rs” approach: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, to ensure that waste generation and management is as sustainable as possible.
  • finding new uses to a large portion of the waste generated each year.
  • need to recycle
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  • Recycling yields two key advantages: First, it allows reusing substantial amounts of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or spoiling natural spaces; Second, it allows generating raw materials and avoid wasting materials and natural resources.
  • Several countries have managed to increase their recycling rates in recent years by investing in technology, and awareness campaigns and introducing policies aimed at encouraging citizens and businesses to recycle more and better.
  • generate enough electricity to power 250,000 households, and contribute to dramatically reduce waste and emissions.
  • Northern European countries are pioneers in the sustainable processing of urban and industrial waste.
  • Sweden’s become extremely successful at sorting and reusing waste, thanks to the firm commitment of its population, and everyone’s involvement in the process from their own households.
  • Neighbors are responsible for sorting, treating and segregating their household waste, and then complying with the strict and scheduled collection calendar.
  • One of the countries that have best understood the importance of the circular economy is Switzerland.
  • the country has become a pioneer in the recycling of organic waste, which is used to make compost.
  • one third of the food created in the world is spoiled or thrown away
  • also means a high cost in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The organic waste collected is used to produce biogas to fuel power plants, crop fertilizers and livestock feed.
  • recycling rate has increased from 5% to 64%, one of the highest in Europe and expects to keep improving to become one of the world’s leading nations in this field.
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    The article is about how United Nations set up a goal to foster sustainable and environmentally-responsible consumption and productions patterns. The key to reach this goal for the countries need to be focused on Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The article specifically explain how Sweden, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea and Wales are implementing strategies to reach that goal.
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4 Ways Cloud Computing Benefits The Hospitality Industry - 1 views

  • you can give yourself a competitive advantage and make your life easier at work.
  • you can give yourself a competitive advantage and make your life easier at work.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro of implementing cloud computing in the industry.
  • With cloud computing, you only pay for what you need.
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  • You also cut hardware costs, energy costs, and operational costs with the cloud. Your need for excessive hardware in your hotel is reduced and, as a result, you won’t burn throughout as much electricity. The cloud also cuts project time, which results in cut costs and higher productivity.
    • kaylaabad
       
      "With cloud computing you only pay for what you need." Costs are reduced in many ways with cloud computing - hardware, energy, and operational costs are cut. Also, project time is reduced cutting costs and bringing about higher productivity.
  • you store your data securely and remotely instead of in an on-site physical location.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro of cloud computing in the industry - data is stored securely and remotely
  • don’t have to worry about losing all of your data if a natural disaster or security breach occurs at your location
    • kaylaabad
       
      "You don't have to worry about losing all of your data if a natural disaster or security breach occurs at your location"
  • you can improve staff collaboration immensely.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro of cloud computing in the industry - you can improve staff collaboration immensely
  • The whole world is your office
    • kaylaabad
       
      "The whole world is your office"
  • The cloud gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere.
    • kaylaabad
       
      Pro of cloud computing in the industry - cloud gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere
  • Cloud Computing Helps Hotels Cut Costs
  • Cloud Computing Solutions Are Reliable And Secure
  • Cloud Computing Gives You The Flexibility To Work Remotely
  • Cloud Computing Helps You Improve The Guest Experience
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    This article outlines four assets that cloud computing can present to the Hospitality Industry. Cloud computing essentially aids the industry in providing the best possible service to its guests - while also simplifying the working lives of employees which is always a big plus. Cloud computing helps cut costs, solutions are secure and remote, gives flexibility to work anywhere at anytime, and improves the guest experience. All in all, the pros outweigh the cons with the cloud computing.
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    Cloud computing is a popular new wave, and not only individual users are its beneficiaries, but also travel companies are promoting the use of cloud computing technology to increase their competitiveness
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Rwanda's Tourism Seeks Innovative Minds to Recover from Covid-19 Shock - KT PRESS - 1 views

  • Rwandans with tech or innovative business solutions will this June have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas that could help the country’s tourism and hospitality sector recover from the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.
  • Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Private Sector Federation (PSF) ICT and Tourism Chambers will this June 4, host an online conversation and workshop to identify innovations and solutions the technology sector currently has, or could build to support the recovery process.
  • The digitalisation of tourism will play a big role in leading the needed recovery for the economy just like it is helping in other sectors like trade, education and healthcare as global economies face-off the Covid-19 pandemic,”
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  • focus on digitalisation of the tourism sector as the new driver of the economic recovery for tourism businesses, which have been one of hardest hit in the country as a result of closed travel for local and international visitors.
  • We want to be inspired with new ideas. Not only digital way to also expose more ideas, answering the potential challenges that we have, not locked to one way (digitalisation) but many more alternatives of improving the sector going forward,” Kariza told KTPress today. 
  • session will expose the sector to listen into new concepts and ideas that they (participants) have, so as to tackle different challenges emerging from Covid19 but also for the overall sector.
  • government has embarked on starting up a Rwf100billion Covid-19 economy recovery fund, which will largely support the tourism and hospitality, industry, and water, electricity, road infrastructure projects among other income-generating activities.
  • online workshop aims at opening up new opportunities for technology companies to better understand the need in the tourism sector and in doing so develop solutions fit for driving the sector’s growth.
  • largely focus on strategies that could leverage technology to encourage domestic tourism covering but not limited to travel and hospitality sectors.
  • ICT Chamber has been working with the Chamber of Tourism to promote digitalization of the industry, by supporting companies that are serving in the industry through incubation programs at the ICT Innovation Center in Kicukiro district.
  • accelerate digitalization of the tourism sector through public private dialogue. 
  • RDB’s intent is to leverage technology and the solutions we have to stimulate domestic tourism and help the sector’s recovery. Taking lessons from what has been done with e-commerce and the online e-learning platforms. RDB will also present to us their challenges that tech companies can turn into monetize-able opportunities
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    Rwanda is seeking to engage the technology industry in a conversation to generate ways that e-commerce can be used to help the Tourism and Hospitality sector recover in the wake of COVID-19. This will be an online conversation on June 4 to find ways the technology already has or could create to help tourism. It notes how digitization has been important to other sectors of the economy during the pandemic including sectors such as education and Healthcare. By leveraging technology it is hoped that ways can be found to stimulate the tourism industry
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Global E-waste Monitor 2020 - 0 views

  • The Global E-waste Monitor is a collaborative effort between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme currently co-hosted by the United Nations University (UNU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).
  • higher levels of disposable incomes, urbanisation, and industrialisation in many developing countries are leading to growing amounts of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and, consequently, to greater amounts of e-waste.
  • Toxic and hazardous substances such as mercury, brominated flame-retardants (BFR) or chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) are found in many types of electronic equipment and pose severe risk to human health and the environment if not handled in an environmentally sound manner.
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  • predicts global e-waste will reach 74 Mt by 2030,
  • In 2019, only 17.4 per cent of e-waste was officially documented as formally collected and recycled
  • a target to increase the global e-waste recycling rate to 30 per cent by 2023
  • The number of countries that have adopted a national e-waste policy, legislation or regulation has increased from 61 to 78 between 2014 and 2019.
  • TU Member States also set a target to raise the percentage of countries with an e-waste legislation to 50 per cent – or 97 countries - by 2023.
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    This article is very interesting and eye opening. Just the thought that "by 2023" the e-waste will be down is unrealistic. Companies will keep making more products and the e-waste will grow, unless they don't change the materials they use to create that type of technology.
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UN report: Time to seize opportunity, tackle challenge of e-waste | UNEP - UN Environme... - 0 views

  • The world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) a year, weighing more than all of the commercial airliners ever made. Only 20% of this is formally recycled.
  • worth over $62.5 billion
  • Global e-waste production is on track to reach 120 million tonnes per year by 2050 if current trends continue,
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  • $62.5 billion, more than the GDP of most countries.
  • Less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with 80% either ending up in landfill or being informally recycled – much of it by hand in developing countries, exposing workers to hazardous and carcinogenic substances such as mercury, lead and cadmium.
  • improper management of e-waste is resulting in a significant loss of scarce and valuable raw materials, such as gold, platinum, cobalt and rare earth elements.
    • mtedd003
       
      The resources not consumed but still existing in landfills.
  • circular economy in which resources are not extracted, used and discarded, but valued and reused
  • Nigerian Government, the Global Environment Facility and UN Environment announced a $2-million investment to kick off the formal e-waste recycling industry in Nigeria.
  • 100,000 people work in the informal e-waste sector in Nigeria.
  • PACE is a public-private collaboration mechanism and project accelerator dedicated to bringing about the circular economy at speed and scale.
  • The UN E-waste coalition is a group of seven UN agencies who have come together to increase collaboration, build partnerships and more efficiently provide support to Member States to address the e-waste challenge.
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    The Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) is a public-private group consisting of more than 50 heads from various internal and external organizations. The group intends to fight the route cause of e-waste by repairing the method for which technology is recycled. The plan of action is to establish a circular economy. Materials are consumed, trashed, and eventually sent to landfills or sent for workers in toxic unsafe conditions to extract the precious materials. The world produces 50 million tons of e-waste annually, accumulating a worth of almost $62 billion. 80% of e-waste is improperly recycled in dangerous polluted conditions, creating an environmental hazard and unethical work conditions. Valuable resources such as gold, are also lost due to this poor method of recycling.Nigeria is one of the many countries that has exploited thousands of workers in the recycling of e-waste. In an effort to reform this issue, the Nigerian government has invested $15 million to employ PACE's circular economy. The design of a circular economy allows for products to be either made for longer use or recycled in a sustainable way. The circular economy will allow for a more efficient and environmentally friendly method of harvesting these resources while providing sustainable job opportunities.
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7 Green Technology Examples That Make a Difference | Walter Schindler - 0 views

  • Green technology, also known as sustainable technology, takes into account the long- and short-term impact something has on the environment
  • These technologies allow for the captivation of clean energy from natural resources such as water and sun, and have great potential to revolutionize the energy market towards sustainability.
  • Water Purification
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  • Key developments include membrane filtration, microbial fuel cells, nanotechnology, development of biological treatments and natural treatment systems such as wetlands.
  • Recycling and waste management
  • A new technology used by the Danish company Ørsted allows for unsorted household waste to be divided up into plastic fractions that can be used for recycling, and a plastic to textile fraction that can be used for fuel or for recycling
  • Chemical recycling, for example, is an innovative process that uses chemicals to break down post-consumer plastic waste into its valuable chemical components. These components can then be used as fuel or converted once again into new plastic products
  • Self-sufficient buildings
  • Scientists have been able to overcome a design flaw of solar panels by allowing them to collect energy in both the rain and sun.
  • Solar panels, for example, are designed to capture energy from the sun
  • Generation of energy from the waves
  • The energy from waves, tides and currents, known collectively as ocean energy, is a massive resource.
  • An Australian company has been working on a system that uses underwater buoys to convert sea waves into zero emission energy and desalinated water
  • Vehicles that do not emit gases
  • Harnessing solar energy
  • Self-sufficient buildings are buildings designed to be operated independently from infrastructural support services such as the electric power grid, gas grid, and municipal water systems
  • Vertical gardens and farms
  • Some vertical farms don’t even require soil, and reduce water use exponentially.
  • Investments in technology are necessary to advance green energy solutions and make the much-needed transition towards a sustainable energy infrastructure
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    This article discusses some innovative and unique technologies that exist to combat top sustainability issues such as energy consumption, water conservation, and waste maangement.
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Sweden is Buying Garbage from European Neighbours | Energy | RESET.org - 0 views

  • Waste is a much-needed fuel for Sweden right now, something they seemingly don't produce enough of, leaving them with no other solution than buying waste from neighbouring Norway.
  • Sweden recycles over 99 percent of its total waste in one way or the other and less than even 1 percent makes it to landfill. Sweden has been incredibly successful with its recycling programme while about almost half of all household waste is burnt and turned turned into energy through the incineration plants.
  • Sweden benefits in more ways than one from this deal, mnn.com states: “Norway actually pays Sweden to take its excess waste, Sweden burns it for heat and electricity, and the ashes remaining from the incineration process, filled with highly polluting dioxins, are returned back to Norway and landfilled.”
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How will technology impact the efficiency and sustainability of waste management? - 0 views

  • How will technology impact the efficiency and sustainability of waste management?
  • This is the way waste management has always been. New York’s first waste management was an attempt to clean the streets of the thousands of tonnes of horse manure dumped on them every day.
  • The advent of packaging, plastics and electrical/electronic products has changed the way waste managers work. Yet, in 70% of the world, the old pick up and dump model continues sadly unchanged with disastrous consequences, such as oceans being full of plastics. But elsewhere waste management is now a sophisticated, technically and socially complex industry.
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  • Technology has enabled waste management to ensure environmental and human health protection while at the same time handling complex materials, increasing recycling, producing energy and virtually eliminating landfills in some countries.
  • Robotics are already widely present in sorting material facilities
  • The internet allows continuous real-time tracking of waste across countries
  • Hydraulic collection systems are increasingly being introduced in new buildings to avoid bins on the road.
  • Plant management, emission monitoring, chemical/biological parameters within plants
  • These new technologies are creating vast amounts of data. The data allows us to understand the movement not just of waste but of people – how they behave and what products and materials they are buying and will turn into waste.
  • predict the future and plan waste collection, the location of bins on the streets, the amount of plant we need, with some anticipation.
  • It also allows producers of waste to intervene to reduce their waste outputs
  • Add to this the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain computing – technologies that allow the multiplication of the access and transmission of intelligence and its automation. How does this work in practice?
  • First, data collection will be faster and simpler; then automated trend and performance analysis allows the user to see anomalies immediately; finally, this informs employee behaviour and decisions and allows immediate corrective actions.
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    the article suggests the different ways technology contributes into solving one of the issues production companies face which is managing waste. by suggesting different aspects to limit the negative outcomes of the production also to help in overcoming the challenges in the area. the article also emphasize the importance of data collection and utilization to enhance the efficiency in the industry.
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Technology in the hospitality industry - exploring the very latest trends - 5 views

  • Digital conference facilities
  • hotels also need to be able to offer access to audio-visual (AV) and digital facilities for conferences.
  • If a hotel has extensive conference facilities, network design becomes critical to ensure indoor mobile phone coverage, Wi-Fi connectivity, VoIP, real time location services (RTLS) and internet protocol television (IPTV)
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  • When investing in digital apps for check-ins, room service and other customer-oriented digital interactions, hotel operators are investing in systems and technologies that can personalise the experience for guests, including a guest’s name being displayed on the welcome desk at a digital check-in station;
  • hotel staff can take a more innovative approach by using infrared scanners that will detect body heat within a room and tell cleaning staff that they should rather come back later if the room is currently occupied.
  • NFC technology can also be used to personalise a guest’s experience at a hotel or resort.
  • A boutique hotel that is nestled between Apple’s headquarters and other tech companies, called Aloft Cupertino, has a robot butler called Botlr that is able to move between the various floors of the hotel in order to take items such as toothbrushes, chargers and snacks to guests.
  • Near field communication (NFC) technology is the next-generation short-range high frequency wireless communication technology that gives users the ability to exchange data between devices.
  • Retina scanning is even more accurate and secure
  • than fingerprint scans and hotels like the Nine Zero Hotel in Boston have already installed an iris scan system
  • Marketing, management and hotel developers can no longer work in silos and these technology trends are giving them the opportunities, tools and solutions they need to create memorable experiences
  • 81% of respondents wanted access to mobile video content at hotels and 55% said that mobile content availability at a hotel would influence where they choose to stay.
  • Being able to provide entertainment on tap and mobile content has led to the trend of hotels investing in cloud services.
  • gives hotels the flexibility to expand and adjust their IT needs along with business growth
  • Cloud computing is becoming the norm and we will continue to see hotel groups replacing their legacy IT infrastructure with cloud solutions.
  • take full advantage of technology in this space is using it to communicate how well they are doing (in real time) with respect to their various environmental initiatives (such as real time electricity/water usage reporting, etc.)
  • local area networks (LANs)
  • building services can be automated in order to control lighting, refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating.
  • Besides reducing energy consumption, converged LANs can also be set up to provide a smarter, more personal experience.
  • Another innovative way to offer a keyless experience is through fingerprint-activated room entry systems and retina scanning devices.
  • Installing and maintaining a hotel-wide wireless network may be coupled with costs, but many leading hotel groups have started to install high density Wi-Fi and started to offer in-building mobile phone coverage as guests have come to expect these services during their stay (not only for themselves, but also for their guests if they are hosting a conference or function at the hotel).
  • While the amount of AV and digital equipment that goes into a typical conference room is fairly minimal, staging companies are often hired for various projects in order to equip the facility as required.
  • Guests want to be able to do everything from checking in at a venue’s automated kiosk to ordering room service with a digital device instead of standing in queues and moving around the hotel premises to order food.
  • investing in a check-in/cocierge app requires a small initial investment and can lead to greater efficiency and savings as hotel staff are able to focus on customer service and property developers don’t have to create large static reception desks at each entrance and hotel location.
  • can transfer data at up to 424 kbits/second and the communication is enabled when two devices touch each other, which makes mobile payments (by touching the smart phone to a credit card) an instant, secure process.
  • this technology could also be used to track loyalty points from a guest’s use of the conference facilities or room service.
  • Infrared scanners are now also used to minimise disruptions relating to housekeeping (which is a common complaint from customers).
  • All of these experiences need to be part of an integrated, dynamic system so that the guests’ experiences are at the forefront of the marketing and operational team’s mind.
  • Starwood (owner of the Sheraton, Weston and “W” hotel chains) has already upgraded 30,000 room locks across 150 hotels with this system and Hilton will be implementing a similar system at 10 of their US properties this year. In 2016, they will be deploying the smart room key technology globally.
  • This technology will mean that guests don’t have to worry about picking up keys and front desk staff won’t have to issue new keys in the event that a guest loses their room key.
  • The hotel room’s television, radio and clock are taking a backseat as travellers use their own technology to keep themselves entertained.
  • Many companies in the hospitality industry are already using social media to their advantage as guests check-in on location-based social media apps, tweet about their experience on Twitter and share their holiday photos with friends and followers on Instagram and Facebook.
  • his shift has led to many hotel and leisure groups developing active social media monitoring and communication strategies in order to stay on top of what’s being said about them online
  • Hotels will increasingly install smart room access systems that allow guests to unlock their doors by simply swiping their phones across a keyless pad on the door.
    • rhera004
       
      This section is talking about designing effective conference facilities/ ensuring your hotel/ facility can accommodate clients technological needs. My thought on this is how can we in the hospitality field accommodate this when we do not yet know the scope of need. We do not know what is to come. Ex. Roads in Europe are incredibly narrow as no one knew cars would be a thing in the future. It's crazy to think buildings and infrastructure can also become obsolete.
  • medical facilities;
    • rhera004
       
      Super important given the state of things
    • rhera004
       
      This freaks me out a bit b/c of devices which can aid people in stealing your credit card information in close proximity to you.
  • For example, advertising can be targeted based on gender and age (so if a child walks by a digital sign in the lobby, the advertisement can change to promote a local theme park or the hotel’s kids club
  • hanging a ‘Do Not Disturb
    • rhera004
       
      Eco-friendly option. I like this!
    • rhera004
       
      Wireless = More sanitary. No one really thinks about the amount of hands that have been on room key cards...
    • rhera004
       
      This may be a hard sell for some people. Ex. Conspiracy theorists etc.
  • almost any person checking in at a hotel, resort, spa or lodge, will have a smartphone in their pockets.
    • rhera004
       
      Social Media is such a powerful advertising tool as well. Have clients work for you. This can also be dangerous if your facility is not running at 100%
    • rhera004
       
      Can be creepy- but will definitely optimize guest experience.
  • hen processes should be put in place to ensure the right person follows up by communicating with the guest and solving the problem at the hotel.
  • ead to positive change and growth in the industry.
  • l
  • computers no longer see Wi-Fi as a perk, but as a must-have when they check in at a hotel.
  • computers no longer see Wi-Fi as a perk, but as a must-have when they check in at a hotel.
  • I
  • t might not yet be financially feasible for hotels to completely abandon the user pay model, but many of them are re-thinking their current infrastructure and pricing models.
    • rhera004
       
      Bluetooth speaker system connectivity would be a good idea for hotel rooms.
  •  
    The article lists the varies new technology that are becoming more and more of the norm in modern hotels. The first and most important is WIFI. Ten years ago every hotel you went would make you pay for WIFI nowadays guests look for hotels that offer free wifi. Conference facilities are a big thing in larger hotels but they need to be digital. Everyone has a mobile device so making as much as possible available on a guests mobile phone will go a long way. Entertain and clod services are all new technologies being used in hotels as well. Of course social media is a huge part of our day to day world.
  •  
    This article talks about how technology is affecting the hospitality industry. There have been several small technological advances in the industry. Recently, advances have been skyrocketing, especially in the hotel sector. Hotels have been updating their technology year after year striving to stay relevant. Businesses are looking for Digital conference facilities for their conferences/meetings. Where skype and zoom calls can be conducted in a business fashion. There are also hotels that are looking to put in finger scanning devices for room access and infrared scanners for staff members to monitor room activity. This article has several other fantastic advances in technology that could be used in the hospitality industry as a whole.
  •  
    Technology evolves everyday it keeps getting better and making lives even easier. Guests are attracted to hotels who have the latest technology. This week I saw in social media a friend of mine is currently in Las Vegas and her room had an Echo Dot and she was asking Alexa to turn off the lights and close the shades. That got my attention and is proving the point on how the Hospitality industry has to be at the very top of the latest technology trends.
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Latest eco friendly trends in the hospitality segment - 0 views

  • Sustainable eco-friendly practices are on the rise in the hospitality sector. Though the hospitality sector has been slow to evolve in incorporating green solutions, it has now picked up steam due to the evolving demands of eco-friendly travelers, who, according to studies are willing to pay more for green lodging. This has led to many well-known brands creating meaningful, sustainable hotel experiences. This trend has been observed worldwide, as hotels compete to integrate the latest green trends in hospitality.
  • Green trends in hospitality have seen lighting as one of the major areas which most hotels globally have tried to modify, to conserve electricity and save on energy bills. According to a recent study 2,161 hotels in 44 countries, 70% have replaced fluorescent and incandescent lights with LEDs. Very few hotels, however, have incorporated recovery of waste heat systems and only 8% of hotels used solar panels
  • One of the global green hospitality trends is to construct new buildings in a sustainable manner, and renovating existing buildings to make them eco friendly. These buildings use consume less energy and contribute to the community where they are located by sourcing locally available materials and decreasing pollution by better waste management policies
  •  
    The article discusses the necessity of implementing sustainable and green smart technology in the hospitality industry. It is a trend that will be of utmost important to the millennials traveler where they expect hotels especially to have in place the eco-friendly practices and processes. The article shows how through, green building designs, water conservation, waste management, etc. hotels are making these green changes.
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Short-circuiting the electronic-waste crisis - 1 views

  • According to the Global E-waste Monitor, a project backed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, people disposed of 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2019 — a quantity that is expected to increase by nearly 40% by 2030
  • “This is an opportunity to stop thinking of it as waste,” says Clara Santato, a chemist specializing in electroactive materials at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada. But making electronics more sustainable will also require a more radical evolution of the industry as a whole, as well as the consumers who crave their products
  • Not everything can be readily recycled, but there are opportunities to create ‘green electronics’ that can be produced and disposed of in a more environmentally friendly way.
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  • E-waste contains these hard-to-find elements in abundance.
  • as of 2019, only around 17% of the world’s e-waste was being properly managed for recycling in the countries that generate it
  • In an initial demonstration, this method recovered more than 80% of the precious metals, such as palladium and silver, that were present in an e-waste sample4, while also enabling easy isolation of toxic compounds such as mercury and lead.
  • Standard building blocks such as silicon, iron and copper are typically joined by more exotic elements. These include highly conductive precious metals such as platinum and gold, as well as rare-earth elements such as neodymium, which possess unique magnetic and electrical properties.
  • Conventional circuit boards are built on fibreglass, which is non-biodegradable and typically laced with potentially toxic fire-retardant compounds. Martins’ group is working on paper-based boards that could offer an environmentally friendlier alternative.
  • recyclable or compostable electronics could become invaluable in devices intended for short-term use, or in narrow-purpose devices such as wearables or environmental sensors that don’t have to meet the same rigorous performance standards as the processors found in smartphones.
  • But more-aggressive measures will probably be necessary, including tighter regulations.
  • Manufacturers should also pursue practices that promote circularity.
  • Planned obsolescence by manufacturers is part of the problem, but resolving this issue will also be a matter of public education and policies that boost civic-mindedness and environmental consciousness
  •  
    The article recommends tighter regulations and corporate accountability as means to limit e-waste production and facilitate a cultural shift. E-waste production is set to increase rapidly and will see a 40% increase in quantity by 2030 unless checks are put in place. Creating green electronics has been discussed as an important step as manufacturers have been urged to use biodegradable components in their devices. The article further encourages businesses to promote circularity while highlighting that the responsibility also falls on consumers to adopt better practices. Public education is discussed as a critical tool to make populations aware while consumer electronics brands have been urged to make devices that are easy to disassemble and repair to increase longevity.
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How Proximity Marketing Can Aid Businesses - Forbytes - 0 views

  • The development of technology provides new opportunities for businesses to grow.
  • Our smartphones have changed how we shop, work, socialize, and live. It’s no wonder that so many businesses are taking on the challenge of proximity marketing.
  • The aim of proximity marketing is to deliver marketing campaigns to consumers in close proximity to retailers, restaurants, or other locations of interest to target messages.
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  • The idea of proximity marketing is that a specific message can only be communicated to the right person by its proximity.
  • Enhanced customer experience: Using a proximity marketing strategy enables your company to personalize the customer experience in a way that varies your offerings based on the customer’s past, present, or future location and behavior. App utilization: Using proximity ads to provide valuable info and offers can improve user interaction with a business’s app, which can be a place for users to read regular updates and withdraw discounts, etc. Cost-effectiveness: Mobile proximity marketing is a cost-efficient way to target ads to the desired audience. Customer relationship boost: Proximity ads help businesses better understand the needs of their customers. This allows them to meet these needs to enhance relationships and interactions.
    • joshli2022
       
      Benefits of proximity marketing.
  • Businesses of all sizes use proximity marketing to engage with potential customers,
  • The aim of proximity marketing is to deliver marketing campaigns to consumers in close proximity to retailers, restaurants, or other locations of interest to the target audience.
  • method of location-based marketing via a company’s use of their customers’ location is a foundation for a proximity marketing strategy.
  • as long as they’re physically near to the business. It makes ads more practical and efficient, as well as more personal.
  • Near field communication (NFC) proximity marketing is a marketing tactic in which retailers put a chip on the product that works as a transmitter and connect to in-store visitors’ mobiles to send them various info about certain products.
  • designed to identify the customer profile and send the message directly to the person.
  • n the form of coupons or discount cards, advertisement banners in the store, or a personalized advertisement on a store companion website.
  • this is done by utilizing mobile location tech technologies, such as GPS. But technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi also serve this type of marketing.
  • A hyper-local sales campaign is one in which a local retailer maximizes their geographic location to house a specific sales event and makes use of the surrounding local culture to generate interest.
  • WiFi proximity marketing is integrated with in-store marketing to provide guests with personalized, customer-activated content based on their proximity.
  • Using proximity marketing technology, the ad campaigns reach a more personal level with their audience, adding a more engaging and personalized touch.
  • One such method is radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity marketing. It allows companies to embed a unique identifier on their product, insert it into the RFID proximity marketing imaging system, and then automatically customize their targeting.
  • granting you a valuable asset: consumer data. When a customer wants to log in to your WiFi network, ask them to provide their email first so you can reach out to them later and send personalized offers.
  • meaningful data points like demographic, location/geography, platform, and time.
  • GPS-based proximity marketing. Also called geo-targeting and geo-marketing, this tactic lets companies identify and engage customers based on their location. It is mainly used in retail, services, and real estate.
  • Those locations – your local grocery store, fitness club, a particular bar- can leverage that information to send you exclusive offers and promotions.
  • Beacons, easily installed in every store and retail space, use an electrical signal to identify customer location and transmit data to them through Bluetooth.
  • calculate daily traffic patterns and broadcast promotional messages to individuals nearby, making product recommendations or simply notifying them of discounts and beneficial deals.
  • Modern business owners rely on digital marketing channels for both growth and retention.
  • Beacons can create interactive experiences and offer valuable information (such as displaying discounts) to smartphone users as they walk near to encourage them to stay or shop longer or make a purchase.
  • However, this technology is still considered to be one of the most expensive ones for marketing purposes.
  • There are less expensive proximity marketing solutions for budget ad campaigns. For instance, QR (Quick Response) Codes are a powerful tool that allows companies to create digital proximity marketing opportunities by simply creating one and hanging it on the wall in the store.
  • mobile browser detection. When visitors arrive at your website, many factors are taken into account, including their IP address, browser, and device. Every time a visitor to your website activates their mobile phone or pulls up your page on their laptop browser, you have a chance to reach out and, potentially, monetize them.
  • Enhanced customer experience: The use of a proximity marketing strategy enables your company to personalize the customer experience in a way that varies your offerings based on the customer’s past, present, or future location and behavior. App utilization: The use of proximity ads to provide valuable info and offers can improve user interaction with a business’s app, which can be a place for users to read regular updates, withdraw discounts, etc. Cost-effectiveness: Mobile proximity marketing is a cost-efficient way to target ads to the desired audience. Customer relationship boost: Proximity ads help businesses better understand the needs of their customers. This allows them to meet these needs to enhance relationships and interactions.
  • hotel visitors can receive information about the hotel and the various offers it has. Also, as guests are looking for the best cafes or restaurants for a good price, hotels can partner with local bars and restaurants and inform the guests of the deals they could get.
  • Businesses are uncovering the benefits of marketing to clients in their proximity.
  •  
    This article is about the concept of proximity marketing that supports sales and marketing development in business operations. First, the idea of this marketing strategy is to reach out to the right consumers based on mobile techs and GPS techs. Second, the four types of proximity marketing are by components, application, geography, and key players in general. Third, the benefits of proximity marketing are enhanced experiences for the guests. Applicational utilization. Cost-effectiveness on the mobile marketing, then the guest relationship improvement will be one of them to benefiting the company's business growth.
  •  
    In these days of technology advancement, proximity marketing is one of the best ways for marketing. The only disadvantage is potentially using someone's information without permission. As long as permission is granted, it would be fine.
  •  
    Proximity marketing is a mode of location based marketing that uses the customers location to their advantage when distributing advertisements for their business. There are several different types of proximity marketing solutions that can and are currently being used by the most popular brands right now. There is wifi proximity marketing, radio frequency identification proximity marketing (RFID), near field communication proximity marketing (NFC), GPS based, beacon based, and QR codes. Using these methods of marketing hold benefits including enhanced customer experience, app utilization, cost effectiveness, and customer relation boost. There is an option for everyone in terms of cost and many industries are using them more and more, inclusive of the hospitality/tourism industry. In my opinion, the previous ways of advertising are becoming obsolete and the market for competition is growing and growing and growing. We all have likely encountered one or more forms of this type of marketing, and we likely will continue to in the future.
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What Brain-Computer Interfaces Could Mean for the Future of Work - 0 views

  • Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) are slowly moving into the mass market. In the next few years, we might be able to control our PowerPoint presentation or Excel files using only our brains. And companies may want to use BCI technology to monitor the attention levels and mental states of their employees
  • imagine if you could prepare your next presentation using only your thoughts. These scenarios might soon become a reality thanks to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
  • I expect to see a growing number of professionals leveraging BCI tools to improve their performance at work. For example, your BCI could detect that your attention level is too low compared with the importance of a given meeting or task and trigger an alert. It could also adapt the lighting of your office based on how stressed you are, or prevent you from using your company car if drowsiness is detected.
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  • A Toronto-based startup called “Muse” has developed a sensing headband that gives real-time information about what’s going on in your brain.
  • In the next few years, we might be able to control our PowerPoint presentation or Excel files using only our brains. Some prototypes can translate brain activity into text or instructions for a computer, and in theory, as the technology improves, we’ll see people using BCIs to write memos or reports at work.
  • Experts believe that around “15-30% of individuals are inherently not able to produce brain signals robust enough to operate a BCI.” Obviously, this situation can lead to wrong results and ultimately bad decisions from companies. BCIs still have a long way to go, and much improvement is needed.
  • Despite these promising results, some experts, such as Theodore Zanto, a director of the UCSF neuroscience program, say that while BCIs based on EEG scans can determine a user’s attention levels, they are as of yet still incapable of differentiating what the user is actually focused on.
  • Researchers are also experimenting with “passthoughts” as an alternative to passwords. Soon, we might log into our various devices and platforms using our thoughts. As described in this IEEE Spectrum article, “When we perform mental tasks like picturing a shape or singing a song in our heads, our brains generate unique neuronal electrical signals. A billion people could mentally hum the same song and no two brain-wave patterns generated by that task would be alike. An electroencephalograph (EEG) would read those brain waves using noninvasive electrodes that record the signals. The unique patterns can be used like a password or biometric identification.”
  • BCIs aren’t a perfect technology — there’s no telling what sort of mistakes or mishaps we’ll encounter as companies and individuals begin to use these devices in the real-world. What’s more, BCIs — like any technology — can be hacked. Hackers can access a BCI headband and create/send manipulated EEG data. A hacker could also intercept and alter all data transmitted by your BCI. It’s possible that a hacker could steal your “passthoughts” user credentials and interact with your devices (laptop, car, etc.). These risks can directly impact our physical integrity. Brain data could also be stolen to be used against you for extortion purposes. The potential for serious abuse is significant.
  •  
    This article is on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and what the future of the work environment could be. Based on the information published, employers would have the ability to leverage brain activities to effect greater productivity in the workplace. However, since BCIs are capable of detecting the mental state and thoughts of employees, there are many privacy and ethical issues that will certainly be derived from the use of these types of technologies.
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