The world of tech is constantly changing. New terms, ideas and trends emerge every day and it can be difficult to keep up with even the most passionate. In this article, we have produced a tech lexicon with 10 words to know, which have made, are doing and will still be in the news this year.

1. APIs

An API means Application Programming Interface. It is a programming interface that facilitates the connection between two applications. APIs are very useful for developers because thanks to them, they can reuse functionality already designed by others in their own applications. It can also give them the ability to access data from external sources, develop third-party applications, or automate certain tasks.

For example, OpenAI recently launched its ChatGPT API to allow companies like Snapchat or Shopify to integrate an AI-based chatbot into their own app.

2.Avatar

An avatar is the computer representation of a user in the digital world. It can be 2D (like those available through social media and instant messaging) or 3D, like in video games or metaverses.

Generally, avatars are customizable, to help reflect the appearance, personality or interests of the user. For example, you can already create your avatar on Instagram or WhatsApp. They can also be animated to interact with objects or other avatars.

Good to know: this word originates from Hindu culture, in which the word “avatar” corresponds to the incarnations of the God Vishnu on Earth.

3.GPT-3

GPT-3 is short for Generative Pre-training Transformer 3, a deep learning language model (a segment of machine learning) developed by the OpenAI company. It is a deep neural network, based on the technique of automatic natural language processing (NLP in English), and which has been trained with more than 175 billion parameters. Their algorithm makes it possible to generate text autonomously, in response to a request from a user. GPT-3 is able to answer questions, write essays, produce text summaries, translate content, adapt it to different writing styles, and even write computer code.

For its ChatGPT AI text generator, Open AI relies on GPT-3.5, an advanced version of GPT-3. The organization is also said to be developing GPT-4, an even more advanced technology.

4. Artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science aimed at creating programs that can mimic the intelligence and cognitive abilities of a human.

AI uses complex algorithms and mathematical models to collect and analyze databases, and make automatic decisions based on trends. It is used in many fields, such as image recognition, voice recognition, natural language processing, medicine or finance.

Since the beginning of 2023, artificial intelligence has been at the forefront. Indeed, we hear more and more about AI text generator (like ChatGPT), AI image generator, or AI voice generator…

5.Machine learning

Machine learning is a subcategory of artificial intelligence that consists of allowing computer programs to learn autonomously, without having been specifically programmed for this purpose. Machine learning algorithms use mathematical models to analyze large databases and discover patterns and correlations. The more patterns they find, the more they adjust their prediction models and improve their performance.

Machine learning is closely related to Big Data because these programs need large amounts of data to learn and grow. Machine learning is used in many applications, such as fraud detection, product recommendations, and self-driving cars.

6. Metaverse

The etymology informs us about the definition of the metaverse: the term is born from the contraction of “meta” which means “beyond” and “universe” (universe in English).

The metaverse is therefore an entirely virtual space, parallel to ours. It is an artificial universe in 3D, immersive, collective and shared, in which users evolve and interact through avatars, as one could do in real life. The metaverse relies on augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Here is an example from Meta’s metaverse, Horizon Worlds:

7. Augmented reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that allows digital content, such as images, videos or textual information, to be superimposed on a real environment, often through the use of a mobile device, glasses or glasses. ‘a helmet.

Augmented reality allows the user to see and interact with virtual objects in a physical context, in real time, creating an immersive and enriched experience. Technology is used in many fields, such as video games, advertising or logistics to facilitate decision-making and speed up processes.

For example, we can mention Snapchat and its Lenses, fun filters based on augmented reality, available directly within the application.

8. Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows you to immerse yourself in a completely virtual space, unrelated to the user’s real environment, using specific headphones or glasses.

It creates a simulation of a 3D artificial world that can be interactive and motion-responsive. The user can turn his head 360 degrees around him, move in space, and sometimes interact with the environment using special joysticks. The metaverse notably uses virtual reality to offer virtual universes.

Virtual reality is often used in applications such as video games, vocational training, simulation of dangerous situations, behavioral therapy and even artistic creation.

9. Great app

A super app is a portal application, which brings together on the same platform a multitude of services and functionalities (of different brands or not). These mini applications, developed specifically to integrate this great app, can range from ordering food, paying bills, booking train tickets, shopping online, etc.

Super apps provide a seamless user experience by eliminating the need to download multiple separate apps to accomplish all of these tasks. The most well-known super app is the Chinese WeChat app.

10.Web3

Understanding Web3.0 requires understanding the first 2 versions:

• Web1.0: a version of the web in which the Internet user could simply read content, without being able to easily create it himself.
• Web2.0: that of social networks in particular, has enabled everyone to easily produce and publish content, but most exchanges and data are hosted and controlled by the major platforms.

Web3.0 designates a decentralized Internet, based on the blockchain, which would make it possible to read and create content while retaining ownership of its creations and personal data.