Grameenphone unveils Telenor’s “Tech Trends” for 2022

Telenor Group's scientific research unit "Telenor Research" has unveiled the seventh edition of "Tech Trends," highlighting how technology and digitalisation can enable a green transformation and Grameenphone revealed the research findings through an engaging event at GPHouse on 24 January 2022.

The five anticipated Tech Trends for 2022 were revealed in a keynote address and an expert reflection session at GPHouse. Bjørn Taale Sandberg, head of Telenor Research, virtually presented the keynote during the session.

He said that due to the immense growth in data usage, there is higher energy demand so, cloud computing has seen exponential growth, and also Edge computing is expected to take over by an acceptable margin in the coming year.

With modern careers requiring employees and employers to get climate-friendly, there is a need to adapt to lifelong learning on sustainability, Sandberg added.

"A growing number of businesses will implement green micro-degrees and courses as part of their 'curriculum' to slake the green knowledge thirst among employees. The businesses that fail to facilitate opportunities to acquire green online learning credentials on-the-job risk being perceived as less attractive in the eyes of new talent," predicted Sandberg.                        

The global need for greater energy efficiency has the chance to trigger the "optimisation of everything" battle between consumer electronics manufacturers, he added.

The head of Telenor Research further said it has become imperative for influencers to acknowledge the young people's climate engagement, especially through social media.

"An undergrowth of climate-aware influencers and activists has emerged across niches on social media, and we believe their growing follower bases will be duly noticed by the influencer universe's established elite," explained Sandberg.

With work-from-home and such trends reshaping organisational preferences and cultures, companies must take the next generation's expectations seriously to avoid facing great resignation, he advised.

"Many companies will in 2022 find that large groups of young employees who never got a proper onboarding are likely to struggle - unless good leadership is exercised," Sandberg added.

Higher officials from Grameenphone, including the CEO, Yasir Azman, and respected guests including Brig Gen Md Nasim Parvez, DG (Systems and Services), BTRC; Kamal Quadir, CEO, bKash; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association; and Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation; were present at the event.

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for ICT, graced the occasion as chief guest. He highlighted the current government's achievements in the ICT sector, adding, "Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the guidance of our ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, we have not only achieved the target of vision 2021, but we also have exceeded our target in some areas with the Digital Bangladesh vision."

Syeda Rizwana Hasan from Bela, said, "At present, e-waste is one of the main causes of environmental degradation. We exactly do not know the risks of e-waste and what measures shall be taken in this regard. Technology companies need to focus on product sustainability if they want to do something for the environment."

Speaking at the event, Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, said, "Our mission is to adopt a more climate-friendly approach and safeguard our future through a green shift."