People want newness that begets connection, and the metaverse is being positioned to answer both of those wants. Meta (neé Facebook) is promising that the metaverse will also multiply opportunities for self-expression – with 

aiming to expand the way they socialise online, it makes sense that businesses are looking to solidify their space in these virtual worlds, especially those that are marrying an understanding of the possibilities of immersive tech with novelty. It’s a tech revolution happening across sectors – fitness brands like 

 are harnessing AR and VR to promote ‘exergaming’, 

 is bringing luxury fashion to gamers, and 

As people delve further into virtual worlds, an interest in purely digital ownership has spiked dramatically, as has the tech that can create a progressive link between play and commerce. In 2021, micropayments accounted for 

 of gaming revenue, and this is expected to grow to 95% by 2025. Tapping into this, platforms are onboarding in-app currencies to enable virtual purchase and trading of goods: Roblox has 

 has Soul Coins. Tinder also unveiled an 

, with plans to launch a trading ecosystem in 2022. Additionally, NFTs can potentially function as useful financial architecture in these virtual worlds, as 

We’re used to having little to no autonomy over our online data, so the allure 

 is significant – it promises the ability to legitimately capture value you create in digital worlds, giving new meaning to the way people engage with technology. Big Tech companies like 

 and Roblox are building environments people can explore but aren’t necessarily in charge of – a downside for users looking to retain true ownership of their virtual assets. Instead, many are turning to alternatives like 

 and CryptoKitties, which provide more agency and economic control. This model is rapidly expanding into other sectors: for example, 

 is using decentralisation to give gig workers a bigger stake in the economies they contribute to.

After a period of rapid digitisation, in which people relied heavily on the internet to facilitate meaningful connections, modes of visual self-expression have moved far beyond the performative selfie. In this new era of metaversal living, how do people want to curate their virtual identities?

How are expressions of digital self changing?

With traditional ways of exercising being limited as a result of the pandemic, people are looking for new ways to keep fit. VR game Beat Saber offers older people a way to exercise without leaving the house, in an immersive environment that feels more like having fun than forcing exercise.

‘Beat Saber’: VR fitness for older gamers

Within the gaming industry, innovation is often discussed in the context of new hardware, with players and critics tending to focus on the aesthetic advances afforded by new graphics cards and virtual reality. But how might the introduction of blockchain tech reshape the sector as a whole?

Is blockchain tech the future of gaming?

HMD and Heineken have launched a limited-edition Boring Phone, encouraging a break from the immersive world of smartphones and a return to minimalist retro technology. As people look for a reprieve from fast-paced digital environments, they're turning to nostalgic tech to find it.

Limited-edition Boring Phone promotes digital breaks

Book a driverless taxi in LA. Fall in love with an AI boyfriend. Let Tesla’s Optimus robot cook you poached eggs for breakfast. Despite the convenience, rapid tech advancements are igniting anxieties about human work, ethics, and purpose. Are our fears overblown, or is this the beginning of the end?

Humanity vs technology: is there a war to be won?

With their formative years hindered by pandemic lockdowns, it’s no wonder why Gen Alphas found comfort in online communities. On the gaming platform Roblox, Southeast Asian Gen Alphas advocate for their beliefs – from politics to religion – in a way no other generation has before.

Why Roblox became Southeast Asian Gen Alphas’ social podium

As TikTok's fate in the US hangs in the balance, India's 2020 ban could be a cautionary tale. India's bold move disrupted its thriving creator scene, forcing a migration to new platforms. Now, the US weighs its options, urging a rethink of digital landscapes amid global tensions.

India banned TikTok. Can US TikTokers use this as a blueprint?

Mainstream media often spotlights climate doomism, yet 'protopian' narratives like A Brief History of the Future and solarpunk solutions offer hope and proactive climate action. Epitomised by off-grid living and sustainable tech, protopian ideas try to shape positive futures amid climate anxiety.

Protopian narratives challenge dystopian climate doomism

As Gen Zers and Yers come to terms with not having it like their parents did, they're turning to crypto and 'financial hacks' to make things work. Amid a decline in trust in traditional financial institutions, brands have an opportunity to help young adults manage their finances in new ways.

Gen Z and Y are trying to hack home ownership

Technology is becoming increasingly central to interior design, yet while flashy gadgets used to be spotlit within kitchens and living rooms, many people are looking for less intrusive integrations. How can brands tap into the sometimes conflicting desires for simplicity, style, and functionality?

How is home tech blending into the world of interiors?

Political parties leveraged digital technology, social media influencers, and artificial intelligence (AI) to attract hundreds of millions of Indian voters in the 2024 general election like never before, raising concerns about the misuse of AI and exposure to misinformation and one-sided opinions.

How AI and deepfakes are changing how Indians vote

As Gen Zers turn away from dating apps, Hinge has released an ad aiming to recapture their hearts with a lighthearted way of championing the app's success in building lasting matches. Another iteration of its ‘Designed to be Deleted’ campaign, the ad taps a growing desire for meaningful connections.

Hinge ad levels up its 'designed to be deleted' position

Hive's new 'distributed cloud technology' aims to democratise access to the cloud and reduce its environmental impact. As AI reignites the conversation around Big Tech and the environmental impact of technology, smaller players have an opportunity to stand out by offering more equitable solutions.

Swiss start-up eyes mass decentralisation of the cloud

GameScent is introducing smell to the gaming world, aiming to offer gamers a truly immersive experience. With gaming continuing to be a core route to escapism through immersive play, AI-enabled activations can support immersive and realistic experiences that deepen world-building for players. 

GameScent uses smell to enhance gamer immersion

Religious and spiritual AI is ascendant, satisfying younger generations hungry for spiritual community and preachers who need help writing their sermons. How can brands seize the opportunity to engage with their audiences more creatively, meaningfully, and sensitively?

What’s driving the rise of religious and spiritual AI?

Generative AI (GenAI) has swept across all industries, including the Indian film world. However, GenAI usage must pass the test of transparency, ethics, and privacy. As people in India share that they trust all that comes with AI, the burden of authenticity lies heavy on the shoulders of creators.

How AI is rewriting Indian cinema

The mobile payments app GCash has revolutionised financial services by bringing banking to Filipinos' fingertips. Through its innovative features, strategic partnerships, and commitment to financial inclusion, GCash empowers millions to control their finances and easily pierce the digital economy.

How GCash dispenses financial inclusion to mobile Filipinos

According to new research by PYMNTS, Boomers are the most likely generation to pay for everyday items – from yoga classes to coffee pods – via subscriptions: 92% of respondents said they've embraced them. This hints at new opportunities to service this demographic while ensuring safety and security.

Boomers use more subscription services than Gen Y

Terra, an AI-powered pocket-sized gadget, enables users to explore without their phones. People are trying to manage their own screen time and overwhelm from being chronically online, but they don't want to give up the convenience of tech-enabled living – and digital minimalism offers a solution.

Pocket-sized AI compass enables screen-free exploration

Amazon has removed its Just Walk Out technology from its Amazon Fresh stores as a part of a larger revamp, citing customer concerns over transparency while shopping. While a seamless shopping experience is desirable, value, convenience, and selection have proved to be more important for customers.

Amazon smart carts to replace Just Walk Out technology

Virtual dating is on the rise, particularly among Gen Z, as high costs make traditional dating too expensive for many. Despite digital fatigue, people are embracing online dates as more efficient, budget-friendly, and convenient ways to explore relationships in the digital age.

US Gen Zers embrace virtual first dates to cut costs

TikTok has launched a revised rewards programme for creators who drive higher audience engagement. As people increasingly rely on online creators for recommendations, how can brands ensure that people receive tailor-made content that feels authentic and driven by values?

TikTok updates its reward offerings for creators

Why are China’s youth giving up their hard-earned credentials to become ‘full-time children?’ How did rest become an act of rebellion? How has the pandemic affected shopping habits in China? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in China in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of China: 2024

Among photography professionals and enthusiasts alike, older equipment is gaining momentum, with Y2K digicams, in particular, being prominently featured on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. What’s driving young people’s interest in these old-school and imperfect technologies?

What’s driving Gen Z towards old digicams?

With over 20 million active shoppers, same-day delivery, and recent expansion into the luxury market, Coupang is South Korea’s answer to consumers’ hyperconnected demands. As online shopping overtakes traditional shopping, speed becomes the currency for the satisfaction of Korean shoppers.

How Coupang delivers Korean demands at lightning speed

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into mainstream culture, parents and educators are struggling to adapt curricula for Gen Alphas to this reality. Canvas8 spoke to Heidi Campbell, a professor of communication at Texas A&M University, about how we can use AI to educate the next generation.

Heidi Campbell on the future of AI education

Dutch startup The Switch has introduced 'Tiles of the Sun', which depict refugees carrying solar panels. Harking back to how Dutch tiles traditionally celebrate tradespeople, this embeds asylum seekers in Dutch heritage while addressing labour shortages in the Netherlands and welcoming refugees.

The Switch raises funds to train refugees in eco-jobs

Queen Margaret University is utilising VR headsets to replicate maternity emergencies in an attempt to build the confidence and competency of paramedic students. While this is being praised as innovative, it also raises ethical questions about the use of VR in educational settings.  

Scottish university uses VR to train paramedic students

In support of Ramadan fasters, UltraSuperNew Singapore has created a Chrome extension that allows users to block out all food-related content. Beyond representation, this ad demonstrates an understanding of and practically caters to the needs of the Muslim community.

FoodBlocker tool aims to assist fasters through Ramadan

Showee's smart showers for disabled people won first prize at the 2024 Mobile World Congress for their innovative design. With a push for equity and access to digital services for all, tech firms are prioritising accessibility, addressing a long-standing neglect in the industry.

Showee's smart shower setup allows accessible autonomy

The discourse around screen time use and Gen Alpha children is increasing in volume as Gen Y parents look to find balance and Gen Z critics promise not to raise 'iPad kids’. How is Gen Alpha’s screen time affecting their development? And how can brands help bring the balance parents crave?

Is it too late to reboot a generation of iPad kids?

Internet blackouts are being used to disrupt farmers' protests in India as they demand fair prices for crops. Ahead of the 2024 elections, this type of digital authoritarianism is an alarming signal of human rights infringements and the need to protect access to online spaces.

Internet blackouts used to disrupt protests in India

Snap has announced the return of its AR Ramadan mall, complete with new features to heighten the immersive retail experience during the festive season. It’s an example of successful localisation that goes beyond product to become an integral companion in the everyday lives of local customers.

Snap uses AR to bring Ramadan shopping to life

Utah’s first-of-its-kind social media regulation – slated for March 2024 – has been pushed back by legal challenges by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The nonprofit claims that the Social Media Regulation Act will limit protected expression for at-risk youth in the state.

Lawsuit delays Utah’s social media crackdown

With US Boomers already demonstrating their openness to alternative financial strategies, regulation changes by the Securities and Exchange Commission mean more of their wealth could go into Bitcoin. As trust in traditional retirement plans and institutions wanes, Boomers are diversifying.

Regulation changes may sway Boomers to Bitcoin

As part of an attempt to change China’s title as the world’s biggest polluter and bridge the say-do gap in EV adoption, homegrown brands are working double time to make innovation as accessible as possible. BYD rises to the top of this list, overtaking Tesla’s dominance in the eco-driving market.

How BYD speeds up Chinese drivers’ access to green vehicles

Desinfopedia emerges at a crucial moment in Brazil’s fight against fake news, posing as a tool to foster digital literacy and promote critical thinking. With young citizens often struggling to spot misinformation, the platform does the heavy lifting to ensure that fact prevails in the country.

How Desinfopedia helps young Brazilians fight fake news

Klarna's AI assistant managed two-thirds of customer service chats in its debut month, showing efficiency and customer satisfaction. The trend towards AI customer service reflects a preference for quick, accessible support, alongside a debate on AI's impact on jobs and service quality.

Klarna celebrates AI handling the majority of customers

Fitness trackers aren’t new, but the level of detail they offer is changing. Take the WHOOP band 4.0; it can learn a user's body norms and routines and help them achieve fitness goals through tailored recommendations. What do personal tech innovations like this mean for the future of fitness?

How WHOOP’s approach transforms fitness tracking

Tyler Perry is warning of the potential impacts of OpenAI's Sora AI video tool on jobs in the film industry. Recognising both its creative potential and the damage it could cause to many people's careers, Perry's approach symbolises a broader polarisation of views on the technology.

Tyler Perry warns of AI's impact on the film industry

Toyota has announced a 60% discount on its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan as hydrogen fuel prices skyrocket in California. Although people claim they’re keen to make big lifestyle changes to help the environment – including spending more money – the intention-action gap remains for many.

Toyota slashes price of hydrogen EVs to boost adoption

Slack is changing the future of work to help employees and employers prosper. The workplace management system is using artificial intelligence to personalize workplace communication and give employees the structured, clear, and concise information they need to thrive in modern work environments.

How Slack’s AI mind levels up employee intelligence 

Lapse enables people to capture ‘analogue’ photos with their smartphones.  Users need to wait while their snaps are 'developed’, with no option for editing or retaking. Combining the practicality of smartphones with the charm of analogue photography, Lapse aims to help Gen Zers be more present.

Lapse taps into Gen Zers’ nostalgia for analogue life

Amid a sea of generic health apps that crowd smartphones, Healthify positions itself as a mix of personalised wellness and tech wizardry. The app is about more than just counting steps or leafy greens. It's understanding the beat of every user's lifestyle, making health a goal and a way of life.

Why Healthify serves AI-planned diets to busy Indians

Although we might dislike small chores, many of us derive meaning from completing them. Canvas8 spoke to Professor Emanuel De Bellis, associate professor of empirical research methods at the University of St. Gallen, to learn about how automation is disrupting this dynamic.

It does what?! The science of accepting automation

Edtech companies, educational institutions, teachers, the government, and non-governmental organisations are betting on artificial intelligence as a solution to solve multiple challenges facing the Indian education system. But can AI truly help Indians’ learning gaps in education?

How AI is reshaping education and learning in India

The startup aims to help farmers in India reduce climate-harming practices like crop burning, creating tech-enabled solutions for sustainable agriculture. As people look to offset their carbon footprints, companies like Varaha help to clean up supply chains in ways that often go overlooked.

Varaha boosts regenerative farming with carbon credits

The European Digital Services Act (DSA) has officially come into force, and Dutch digital rights foundation Bits of Freedom is helping to educate critical influencers, such as NGOs and activists, on how to use it to amplify their voices. Meanwhile, trust in Big Tech continues to decline.

Bits of Freedom empowers users to tackle Big Tech

We’re all starting to comprehend the huge potential – and potential risks – of AI. In education, unscrupulous kids are outsourcing their homework to ChatGPT, while startups are promoting AI as a tool to personalise learning. So how are students, teachers, and parents navigating this brave new world?

How AI is revolutionising education

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen Zers in the APAC region explores how young people today express their national identities while keeping a global mindset, assert their individuality in the workplace alongside AI, and look to markers from simpler times for stability and inspiration.

2024 APAC Gen Z Snapshot

UPenn has introduced a major in AI, making it the first Ivy League institution to offer such a program. The introduction of the course marks a significant development in higher education as institutions adapt their curriculum to meet the demands of emerging technologies.

UPenn's AI major reflects changing demands for skills

Over half of UK undergraduates surveyed use AI for assignments. Concerns about over-reliance on the technology are rising, prompting calls for better education on its limitations. In education, responses to AI are mixed, with some embracing it, while others take a more conservative approach.

British undergraduates use AI to complete assignments

EasyPaisa has launched a service that helps Pakistani women understand the Nikahnama – the Islamic marriage contract. Through the 'Audio Nikahnama' option in its mobile banking app, EasyPaisa attempts to bridge a knowledge gap and respond to the demand for tech empowering marginalized communities.

EasyPaisa unpacks marriage contracts for Pakistani women

AI is set to transform the world of arts and culture but in line with its cataclysmic impact, a counteracting movement is forming, fighting against the proliferation of automation in the creative industry. How is this rebel faction protecting the human premium and intellectual property of artists?

The modern Luddites' fight for the human premium in AI

A village south of Paris has banned the use of mobile phones in public areas, citing a need to raise more awareness about the adverse effects of screens on our lives. In this context, brands have an opportunity to help educate but also provide light-hearted commentary to ease anxieties.

French village bans use of mobile phones in public

A study has revealed the increased use of AI in online dating for more optimized profiles and messages. It suggests an emerging tension between people wanting this help for themselves but fearing overly artificial connections, mirroring the broader AI dating discourse online.

AI generates distrust in the online dating world

A study has found that physical exercise apps are not meeting older people’s needs – exacerbating inequities in physical exercise. With more people worldwide living longer, and physical activity being crucial to prolonged health, the health sector must consider ways to adapt to an ageing population.

Study finds exercise apps are failing older people

Disney+ and Hulu are losing subscribers as many people turn to piracy sites over paid platforms. In the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis, people are looking for savvy ways to cut back on spending, and for many, that has meant finding ways to hack the system in the name of self-preservation.

Disney+ and Hulu are losing subscribers to piracy sites

In Brazil, smart tech is helping cities provide eco-friendly solutions to everyday issues, while digital developments within agriculture are similarly promoting sustainability in rural areas without affecting efficiency. How can the country’s efforts serve as an example for planet-first policies?

How Brazil uses tech to enhance climate action

Gen Zers have embraced digital wallets more than any other generation, but as the technology becomes widespread, they’re looking for more than mere cardless transactions. Young people expect seamless experiences from fintech, and the burden is on brands to build functionality into digital wallets.

High-earning Gen Zers favour seamless digital wallets

The Smartphone Free Childhood campaign advocates for a ban on smartphones for children under 14. The movement achieved overwhelming support, showing parents concerns about phones on their kids' development. Balancing online and offline activities is crucial amid growing tech reliance.

UK campaign to keep childhood phone-free goes viral

Global South Gen Zers represent an increasingly influential demographic, and brands are changing their tech and user experience designs as a result. Canvas8 spoke to digital anthropologist Dr. Payal Arora about the needs, innovations, and challenges of young people in the developing world.

Dr. Payal Arora on the future of inclusive tech 

Alo Yoga has debuted its shopping app for Apple's first Vision Pro headset, focusing on 3D shopping experiences and immersive mindfulness experiences. People are looking for captivating shopping experiences, and brands are betting on new technology innovations to provide them.

Alo Yoga unveils immersive AR shopping experience

Lowe's Style Studio on Apple Vision Pro is a VR experience that aims to simplify the kitchen design process. The move aligns with the demand for AI/VR-enabled shopping experiences while also addressing the demand for personalized living spaces that better reflect people's interests and styles.

Apple Vision Pro elevates kitchen design at Lowe's

Health-conscious Britons are increasingly tired of institutional health failures and are ready to take matters into their own hands, armed with wellness apps and wearable tech. Canvas8 spoke to nine people across the UK to see how devices help them to train, rest, and feel good.

Is fitness tech aligning with Britons’ wellness goals?

Snickers is bringing its long-running 'Rookie Mistake' campaign to Apple Vision Pro in anticipation of Super Bowl LVIII, offering interactive experiences exclusive to the new technology. As AR technology becomes more mainstream, advertisers are betting big on immersive experiences.

Snickers targets Apple Vision Pro for Super Bowl ad

The Coca-Cola-owned sports brand BodyArmor has released a Super Bowl ad that uses unsettling AI-generated visuals to highlight the real benefits of their drinks. This commercial speaks to ongoing AI anxiety as well as the potential to reassure consumers that their best interests are still at heart.

 AI-generated Super Bowl ad embraces 'realness'

For the seventh edition of its Lunar New Year short film, Apple has produced  Little Garlic for its 'Shot on iPhone' platform. This content flexes the capability of Apple's hardware while focusing on stirring storytelling, speaking to consumers who are growing weary of intrusive advertising.

Apple's Lunar New Year short combats advertising fatigue

Technology

People are seeking out new tech to enable digitally immersive experiences

People are increasingly yearning for free exploration of interactive experiences, seeking out new frontiers of tech that aid these digitised journeys and brands that can satisfy their growing demand for novel social experiences online. And as people seek more control over the data they put online, blockchain tech holds a barrier-free entry to the new economies emerging on top of these decentralised networks.