How to avoid being left speechless

Internet-based digital assistants helping users through their day at home and on the go are one of the trends of the future. Steered by language, they’re going to influence our habits: the market research institute Gartner reckons that, by next year already, 30% of internet surfing will take place without a screen. So does this mean that despite digitalisation, our mouths are taking control of communication again? Given that language is the ur-code of human communication, this would be the logical step.

However, the spoken language is also enjoying a revival elsewhere. Audio podcasts are in vogue, slam poets are becoming celebrated stars of the stage, and people are meeting in their homes for evenings of stories told to the throw of the dice.

But don’t worry: we at open up aren’t about to abandon other forms of communication and just start babbling. We still aim to make sure your voice is heard through a variety of communication media.