What are the results for 2021 - technologies with a positive outlook

Despite the fact that the pandemic has introduced and continues to introduce many adjustments into our lives (and not always beneficial ones), significant events continue to occur in the field of science and technology. Let us consider the most important of them below:

1. Commercialization of space flights

While the pandemic kept us at home, a real race in the field of space tourism was underway between Richard Branson, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos. By the middle of the year, Bezos's Blue Origin began regularly organizing flights to the stars (at least to space orbit) for wealthy and influential people. The company even organized a flight for ninety-year-old William Shatner (Tiberius Kirk from "Star Trek").

2. National Project "Technological Leap through Digitalization, Science, and Innovation"

The future of technology development in Kazakhstan until 2025 was determined by a national project, for which 2.2 trillion tenge is planned to be allocated. Among the global goals of the project: increase Internet coverage, ensure fast service in government services, transition to online accounting, increase IT exports to $500 million, increase the production of innovative products to 2.5 trillion tenge, improve the position in the WEF "Quality of R&D" index, support and stimulate technological and innovative businesses, implement the "science-production-business" principle, and create incentives to increase the number of scientific personnel with a focus on "scientists at the center of attention."

NFT is driving more blockchain applications

On the one hand, the concept of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is still difficult to understand, so many people view all of this either as fraud or as a kind of game from which one can earn money. Nevertheless, decentralized storage across multiple devices from different users is itself one of the best technologies of this year. Yes, it needs time to develop. Yes, people need time to understand the concept and learn how to use cryptocurrencies. And yet, technology is moving in the right direction, choosing unconventional and effective solutions.

4. Public IPO and privatization

The adopted privatization plan with a deadline of 2025 gives private investors the opportunity to buy shares in approximately 700 companies in the state sector, including Air Astana, KazMunayGas, KazTransGas, and others. As practice has shown, attracting private individuals ensures the infusion of fresh ideas, the introduction of new technologies, as well as market and economic diversification.

5. The cryptocurrency market is beginning to be regulated

This year, mining was practically banned in China, and in some other countries (including ours), taxes are planned to be introduced. On the one hand, this contradicts the philosophy of cryptocurrency. On the other hand, Kazakhs know better than anyone else what consequences uncontrolled "gray" mining can lead to.

6. Kazakhstan - a crypto power

Kazakhstan ranks 2nd in crypto mining and holds an 18% share of the global hashrate. Only this autumn, 2,000 mining units from the Chinese company Canaan were moved to us after the ban on mining in China. Cheap electricity and internet, along with developed digital technologies, make Kazakhstan an attractive country for opening crypto farms. The authorities plan to compensate for negative factors (excessive electricity consumption) by introducing a tax on mining. Whether this is good or bad, we will judge as national initiatives develop.

7. The popularity of electric cars has grown beyond all expectations

At the beginning of 2021, forecasts were made according to which demand for electric cars would increase by 71%. By October 2021, demand had grown by a full 88%. Although electric cars make up only 2.7% of all transport, one can see a rapid growth in their popularity. The transition to electricity is driven by both environmental conditions and the requirements of modern infrastructure. Nevertheless, we must remember about the problems with electricity in Kazakhstan. The widespread introduction of electric cars requires their cost reduction and the development of corresponding technical industries.

8. Offline is not for everyone

The pandemic forced us to reconsider the balance between online and offline. Some industries still cannot return to their previous pace of work, although restrictions are gradually being lifted. Nevertheless, analysts in Kazakhstan tend to believe that offline will become a kind of privilege for "serious" companies, while small organizations, private enterprises, startups, and much more will remain online. Offline is expensive, serious, and permits for it are hard to obtain. Online technologies have become a more accessible alternative.

9. New format of mobile phones

Everything returns to its starting point. And in 2021, we unexpectedly turned to... foldable phones. Such phones are the result of the desire to fit mobile phones with the widest possible screens into the pockets of modern users, while making them convenient to use and carry. The screen of such a phone must be able to fold at least in half. For a long time, this seemed impossible, something on the level of concepts that would never be realized. However, in 2021, Samsung released the third generation of its two foldable smartphones, Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip, which are as close as possible to the devices we can use every day.

10. Google Pay entered Kazakhstan

At the end of the year, news appeared about Google Pay entering Kazakhstan. Halyk Bank almost immediately began working on a joint system, while Kaspi Bank refused to integrate with the payment service. In addition, this news once again reminded us that in Kazakhstan, digital payments prevail over cash withdrawal operations. Most of us have switched to contactless payment, which means that the future is closer than it seems.

This year was difficult due to the pandemic; we had to face record-high inflation. Nevertheless, science and technology continue to move forward. Space flights have become more accessible, the government of Kazakhstan is actively investing in the technological development of the country, the field of digital currency is developing rapidly, and Kazakhstan plays a serious role in this. Worldwide, there are trends toward achieving carbon neutrality, and electric cars are becoming more common. Finally, the online format is becoming increasingly familiar and comfortable for most companies.