Technology is a powerful force that has significantly influenced the future. It has enriched our lives in innumerable ways, from boosting productivity and efficiency to bridging geographical distances. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics and 5G networks are reshaping industries, opening up new applications, and altering our way of life. For instance, precision medicine is enabling patient-specific therapies, and driverless vehicles promise to decrease traffic accidents and increase mobility. However, technology poses new problems such as employment displacement and cybersecurity concerns, but with good planning and management, technology can continue to advance and help create a better future for …

Pubinno, a San Francisco-based technology firm that creates the "Internet of Beer" with artificial intelligence, robotics and cloud computing platforms, has now integrated Bitcoin (BTC) payment infrastructure into its system. Pubinno accepted BTC payments using the Lightning network at the #LightningHackdaysIST held from Feb. 25 to 27. By using their Lightning Network-supporting wallets, participants could receive their own beer poured just seconds after completing the transaction by scanning a QR code. According to Pubinno's Creative Director Volkan Dogan, the Smart Tap system was created in 2016 and employs blockchain technology to link the future of draft beer with the future …

A virtual anime version of Sophia, the world-famous humanoid artificial intelligence (AI) robot, is set to be tokenized and auctioned off as part of an up-and-coming Metaverse project dubbed “Noah’s Ark.” Sophia was developed by Hong Kong-based firm Hansen Robotics in 2016 and is known across the globe for her conversation skills and articulate speaking ability. In her first 5 years, Sophia has addressed the United Nations and obtained Saudi citizenship. Earlier this month, former Hansen Robotics CEO and Sophia co-creator Jeanne Lim launched a virtual anime version of the robot dubbed “Sophia beingAI” at her new company beingAI under …

Interest in non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, has surged to almost the level of searches for the term 'ICO' during the 2017 bull market mania, according to data from Google Trends. With eight days left in March, the current spike in interest could even surpass interest in ICOs back then, which would be an impressive feat indeed. The Initial Coin Offering mania in 2017 was partly the cause, and partly the result, of the 2017 bull run that culminated in Bitcoin peaking just shy of $20,000. Given NFTs span gaming, music, art, virtual land — and can even represent real world …

The booming nonfungible token space is about to experience another expansion, with the robot Sophia set to auction its own NFT digital artwork. According to an announcement on Monday, the social humanoid robot will hold an NFT auction via the Nifty Gateway platform on Mar. 23. Sophia’s NFTs are reportedly based on the works of artist Andrea Bonaceto with IV Gallery, a Los Angeles-based gallery, in charge of curating the collection. As part of the Mar. 23 auction, multiple artworks from the NFT collection will be showcased on Sophia’s and Bonaceto’s social media channels. Commenting on the creative process behind …