Formula 1 racing started in 1950. Since then, motorsport has changed greatly with F1 often being referred to as a breeding ground for new technologies. Each year the continual technological advancements mean that the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are driving in faster, safer, and more efficient cars. Whilst on work experience J.P. Dunphy (Yr 11 student) from the Bishop's Stortford College explored the growing developments of F1 technology.

GM or Genetically Modified crops are widely used around the world to aid agriculture, but not in the UK. Whilst on work experience Carl Ijeoma (Yr 11 student) from Bishop's Stortford College explored the UK's agricultural predicament and the possible benefits of implementing GM crops in the UK. 

AI composers have been used in recent years to produce music. Whilst on work experience Anqi Huang (Year 11 student) from Bishop's Stortford College explored how AI composers are used in classical music and opinions regarding this topic.

The internet can have many benefits and disadvantages, some affecting the financial world in a variety of different ways. Whilst on work experience, Nyasha Nhanga (Year 10 student) from the Herts and Essex High School explored this topic and the impact technology has on the world.

The number of female founders has increased immensely in the recent years, however female entrepreneurs still suffer from a gender bias. During her work experience Jennifer Forey (Yr10 student) from the Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College explored the different obstacles to success experienced by female entrepreneurs.

It’s fascinating reading the commentary on social media about the Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos court case. (There is still Sunny Balwani’s court case to come).

Each year we research prominent areas of advancement in technology, some of which are continually ongoing (and have been previously referenced). Being a big proponent of personalised medicine and the use of new technologies in healthcare already we have not included this on-going trend.

Here we share Delta2020's tech annual themes for 2022:

1. Generative artificial intelligence (GAN) – 'whatever you can do AI ‘GAN’ do better!'

GAN uses unsupervised learning algorithms to generate creative content such as audio, video, and digital images in addition to text and code. Analysts predict rapid adoption with less than 1% of the target audience being met. Furthermore, Gartner believe generative AI will be used for fraud, forgery, scams, and political disinformation, expecting it to account for 10% of all data produced by 2025 (as referenced in the Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies – see opening image).

2. Total Experience (TX) and interconnectivity – 'a seamless connection'

Total experience combines superior shared experiences by bringing together four disciplines:

• Multi Experience (MX)

• Customer Experience (CX)

• Employee Experience (EX)

• User Experience (UX)

By 2024, Gartner predict that organizations providing a total experience will outperform competitors by 25% in satisfaction metrics for both CX and EX.

Fundamental technologies such as multi-core (two or more CPUs working together on the same chip) will provide higher performances at lower energy consumption rates improving interconnectivity quality along with Silicon photonics that will address bandwidth, latency, and energy challenges in the fabric of high-end systems.

Angel deal analysis

Bookended by Covid-19 restrictions, I invested in seven angel rounds this year (2 new deals and 5 follow-ons) in comparison with 2020 comprising of eight rounds (5 new and 3 follow-ons). 

Of this year’s investment rounds, three were in software, three in healthcare and one in sustainable materials. Five of these deals were led by Angels, and two by VCs. One of my portfolio companies completed a Series B, another a Series A, one exited and another became a ‘Soonicorn’.

Here I share my top twelve book list read during 2021: 

1. Goliath’s Revenge: How Established Companies turn the tables on Digital Disruptors 

– Todd Hewlin

2. Platform Ecosystems: Aligning Architecture, Governance and Strategy 

– Amrit, Tiwana

3. Exponential: How to Bridge the Gap between Technology and Society 

– Azeem Azhar

Whilst on virtual work experience Angus MacKenna, Year 12 student from The Leys School, Cambridge chose to research his topic of passion, being SPACE.

Space travel has existed for over 60 years now, and as we develop more efficient and enhanced technology, our capabilities grow. What started off as a concept has now become an accepted reality. However, the next step of affordable commercial space travel is still a long way away, with the spare seat on Jeff Bezos’ ‘Blue Origin’ having gone for $28 million, a price very few can pay. Yet, if it were affordable, would it be acceptable in its current state?

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on multiple aspects of everyday life. Nayat Menon, a Yr 11 student from Saint Olave’s Grammar School, chose to explore the changes to these various aspects and the influence they will have on us even post-pandemic.

23rd March 2020 will be etched in history books as the day the UK put its shutters down after the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown. Nearly everyone believed that the restrictions would last just a few weeks and then we would be back to our normal lives. Little did we know, this was not going to be the case. Over a year later, Covid-19 continues to be prevalent as a global pandemic, which has likely impacted every human being in some way or another.

During the Delta2020 work experience program, Year 11 student Adithya Arun from Comberton Village College explored how bananas can be used for batteries and the furnishing for the interiors of cars, and how wind turbines can be used as the main source of energy to power cars instead of charging them at charging stations, along with some other methods of generating electricity.

The whole world is talking about electric cars being the cars of the future, but there are two major problems. Range, and battery disposal. These two problems can both be solved by using just two of the great things that nature provides us with. I’m talking about bananas and wind.