It’s hard to believe these columns have been running bi-weekly since 1996, just a few years after Tim Berners-Lee launched the graphical internet – then called the WorldWideWeb – by switching on web server 001 in Geneva.
So, what were the hot-button topics we explored in 2024?
ChatGPT and the rise of AI alternatives
We began the year by reflecting on one year of ChatGPT, the service that revolutionized technology by making artificial intelligence based on large-language models accessible. Geoffrey Hinton, the British-Canadian scientist known as the “godfather of AI,” won the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics for his pioneering work.
Since then, the AI field has grown rapidly, with new engines entering the market. Readers are encouraged to try services like Grok (Twitter/X), Gemini (Google), Perplexity, and CoPilot (Microsoft). A fun test? Ask them, “If you were human, would you pray the Rosary?”
Hearing aids and Apple’s new hearing tech
Our series on hearing aids delved into age-related hearing loss and my journey to a pair purchased through a big-box retailer. Late in the year, Apple introduced hearing tests via AirPods, enabling them to function as hearing aids, albeit without the battery life of traditional devices. However, Health Canada has not yet approved this feature.
Chromebooks and tech experiments
As a longtime proponent of Chromebooks, I explored the pros and cons of buying used models, particularly on Facebook Marketplace. I also covered a fascinating spring project to decode signals from the GOES-18 satellite, producing stunning full-disk images of Earth.
Eclipses and auroras
Spring also brought a total solar eclipse experienced by regular BCC readers and a powerful geomagnetic storm on May 10-11. Many saw the aurora borealis, an unforgettable experience that we highlighted in our columns.
Cyberattacks and media trends
On April 28, London Drugs closed due to a cyberattack, underscoring the inevitability of such incidents. We also covered the demise of AM radio, cable TV woes (like Rogers suspending discounts mid-contract), and YouTube’s role in cord-cutting as linear TV faces a death spiral amid the rise of streaming platforms like Tubi and Netflix.
Software mishaps and camera evolution
In a global debacle, CrowdStrike released an untested software update that crippled businesses worldwide. Ending the year, we examined the evolution of cameras, noting how mirrorless models have largely replaced DSLRs while standalone cameras remain viable despite advances in phone photography.
What’s next?
Looking ahead to 2025, expect more on artificial intelligence – perhaps even artificial general intelligence – and updates on Canada’s telecommunications pricing. TikTok’s future also remains uncertain amid ongoing security concerns.
As Geoffrey Hinton warned, “We have no experience of what it is like to have things that are smarter than us.”
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