From Emerging Technologies to Business Opportunities

This book provides an up-to-date overview and critical discussion of technologies that shape and influence the digital economy, and especially covers artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, blockchain technology, 3D printing, and biochip technology.

After two introductory chapters about the digital economy and digital technologies in general, dedicated chapters explain the basics and foundations of each of the selected technologies as well as their potential for industry and services. To this end, these chapters first introduce the specific digital technology, followed by one interview with an academic expert for further describing and explaining the technology plus a second one with a business expert for illustrating a successful business case. Each chapter ends with a recap of the takeaways, supplemented by links to further readings for those who are eager to delve more into the relative topic as well as a self-test to challenge the reader’s understanding.

The book mainly targets business professionals and advanced undergraduate students in business and computer science. Business professionals (ranging from employees to managers and executives) will become acquainted with the basic terminology and diverse business aspects related to emerging digital technologies. They will benefit from descriptions by academic leaders in the field along with information and advice from industry people. Students will get an overview of the most important technologies which may also help them in selecting the most promising topics in their further education.

Amy Van Looy is an associate professor at Ghent University, where she coordinates the research cluster of process orientation at the Department of Business Informatics and Operations Management. Additionally, she is a research fellow at Vlerick Business School. Her main research interests are in research methods, process management, technology innovation and social media. Among other awards, she received the Highest Award for Achievement at the Dale Carnegie Consulting Program in 2007, the Belgian magazine DataNews nominated her in the top 10 for Young ICT Lady of the Year 2014, and the nonprofit InsipringFifty Belgium recognized her as a tech role model 2020 for being one of Belgium’s 50 most inspiring women in technology.