Welcome to the future of marketing. In a world where consumer engagement is paramount, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to captivate their target audience. Enter augmented reality (AR) marketing – a game-changing technology that blurs the lines between the physical and digital realms. By seamlessly integrating virtual elements into the real world, AR opens up a world of possibilities for brands to create immersive experiences and drive customer engagement like never before. In this article, we will explore the fascinating realm of augmented reality marketing, its incredible potential, and how it can revolutionize your marketing strategies. Get ready to embark on a journey of inspiration and discover how AR can transform the way you connect with your audience.
1. Introduction: Augmented Reality Marketing – Embrace the Future of Customer Engagement
Welcome to the future of marketing, where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, and customer engagement takes on a whole new dimension. Augmented Reality Marketing is the cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing the way brands connect with their audience. By seamlessly integrating virtual elements into the real world, AR opens up a world of possibilities for businesses to create immersive experiences that resonate with customers on a deeper level.
Imagine being able to transport your customers to a virtual showroom, where they can explore your products in 3D, try them on virtually, and make informed purchasing decisions. Or picture your audience interacting with your brand mascots or characters in their own living rooms, creating an unforgettable connection. Augmented reality marketing makes all this and more possible.
The Power of Immersion
What sets augmented reality marketing apart is its ability to immerse users in a captivating and interactive experience. By overlaying digital content onto the real world environment, AR creates a sense of wonder and excitement that traditional marketing methods struggle to capture. It takes storytelling to a whole new level, allowing brands to craft narratives that unfold before the eyes of their audience.
With augmented reality, you have the power to transport your customers to new realms, break the barriers of time and space, and create lasting memories. By tapping into the innate human desire for exploration and discovery, AR marketing can ignite emotions, spark curiosity, and leave a profound impact on your audience.
A Gateway to Personalization
In today’s world, customers crave personalized experiences that resonate with their individual needs and preferences. Augmented reality marketing provides the perfect platform to deliver just that. By tailoring virtual content to each user’s context, AR enables brands to provide personalized recommendations, product demonstrations, and interactive experiences that make customers feel seen and understood.
Whether it’s customizing virtual avatars, virtually trying on clothes, or visualizing home decor in their own spaces, AR marketing allows customers to see and experience products in a way that is uniquely meaningful to them. This level of personalization not only enhances the customer experience but also builds trust and loyalty, fostering long-term relationships between brands and their customers.
So, get ready to embrace the future of customer engagement. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the world of augmented reality marketing, exploring its incredible potential, and uncovering the various ways it can transform your marketing strategies. Prepare to be inspired as we embark on this journey together.
2. Understanding Augmented Reality: Unlocking the Magic
Before diving into the world of augmented reality marketing, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the underlying principles and mechanics that make it all possible. So, let’s unlock the magic of augmented reality and explore how this transformative technology works.
The Basics of Augmented Reality
At its core, augmented reality is the integration of digital elements into the real world environment, enhancing our perception of reality. Unlike virtual reality, which creates an entirely immersive digital experience, augmented reality overlays virtual content onto the real world, allowing users to interact with both simultaneously.
AR achieves this by utilizing advanced technologies, such as computer vision, depth tracking, and object recognition, to seamlessly blend the virtual and physical worlds. By tracking the user’s movements and understanding the surrounding environment, AR applications can precisely position and anchor virtual content in real-time.
Types of Augmented Reality Experiences
Augmented reality experiences can take various forms, each offering unique possibilities for engagement. Here are some common types of AR experiences:
- Marker-based AR: This type of AR relies on markers or triggers, such as QR codes or images, to activate virtual content. When the marker is detected by an AR-enabled device, it triggers the display of associated digital elements.
- Markerless AR: Also known as location-based or GPS-based AR, this type uses the user’s location data to overlay digital content onto the real world. It allows for location-specific experiences, such as navigation or information overlays.
- Projection-based AR: This form of AR involves projecting digital content onto physical objects, surfaces, or environments. It can create interactive displays on walls, floors, or even entire buildings.
- Superimposition-based AR: With this type of AR, virtual objects are superimposed onto the real world, seamlessly integrating with the user’s surroundings. It can range from simple overlay effects to complex interactive experiences.
The Evolution of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality has come a long way since its inception, evolving rapidly to become more accessible and user-friendly. From early experiments to the widespread adoption of AR-enabled smartphones and smart glasses, the technology has made significant strides.
Today, augmented reality is not limited to specialized devices but can be experienced through everyday devices like smartphones and tablets. This accessibility has opened up a world of opportunities for individuals and businesses alike, allowing for broader adoption and integration of AR into various industries.
In the next sections, we will explore the specific applications of augmented reality in marketing and how this technology is transforming the way brands engage with their audience. Get ready to delve deeper into the exciting world of AR marketing!
3. The Rise of Augmented Reality Marketing: Shaping the Future of Advertising
In a world saturated with advertisements, brands are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out and capture their target audience’s attention. Augmented reality marketing is emerging as a game-changer, reshaping the advertising landscape and paving the way for more immersive and engaging experiences.
The Limitations of Traditional Advertising
Traditional advertising methods, such as print ads, television commercials, and online banners, have long been the go-to strategies for brands to promote their products or services. However, these methods often struggle to cut through the noise and capture consumers’ interest.
Many consumers have become adept at tuning out or even blocking traditional ads, making it increasingly challenging for businesses to make an impact. This shift in consumer behavior has pushed brands to explore alternative approaches that can capture attention and create a lasting impression.
Augmented Reality as a Catalyst for Creativity
Augmented reality marketing serves as a catalyst for creativity, enabling brands to deliver captivating and memorable experiences that break through the advertising clutter. By leveraging AR technology, marketers can transform static advertisements into interactive and dynamic campaigns that resonate with their target audience.
AR allows brands to tell stories in unique ways, immersing consumers in a world where they can actively engage with the brand message. Whether it’s through gamification, interactive product demonstrations, or virtual try-ons, augmented reality opens up a realm of possibilities for brands to captivate their audience like never before.
Enhancing Customer Engagement and Interactivity
One of the key advantages of augmented reality marketing is its ability to enhance customer engagement and interactivity. By inviting consumers to participate in the brand experience, AR campaigns create a sense of involvement and connection, leading to deeper brand affinity and increased customer loyalty.
With AR, consumers can explore products from all angles, interact with virtual objects, and make informed decisions. This level of interactivity builds trust and confidence in the brand, as customers feel more connected and involved in the purchasing process.
Unleashing the Power of Virality
Another significant benefit of augmented reality marketing is its potential to generate viral content. When users have awe-inspiring and shareable AR experiences, they are more likely to share them with their social networks, amplifying the reach and impact of the brand message.
Viral AR campaigns have the power to generate buzz, increase brand visibility, and attract new customers. By tapping into the innate human desire to share captivating experiences, brands can leverage the power of virality to create a ripple effect that expands their reach far beyond traditional advertising channels.
In the following sections, we will explore specific applications of augmented reality in various industries, uncovering the ways in which AR is transforming customer experiences and opening up new opportunities for brands. Get ready to be inspired by the limitless possibilities of augmented reality marketing!
4. Augmented Reality in Retail: Transforming the Shopping Experience
Retail has always been about creating memorable shopping experiences that entice customers and drive sales. With the advent of augmented reality, retailers now have a powerful tool at their disposal to elevate the shopping experience and deliver personalized interactions like never before.
Virtual Try-Ons: Bringing Products to Life
One of the most exciting applications of augmented reality in retail is virtual try-ons. AR allows customers to virtually try on clothing, accessories, or even makeup, providing a realistic representation of how the products will look on them. By eliminating the need for physical try-ons, AR saves time and enhances convenience for customers while reducing returns for retailers.
Virtual try-ons also enable retailers to overcome geographical limitations, as customers can virtually try on products from anywhere in the world. This opens up new opportunities for online retailers to offer a personalized and immersive shopping experience, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Interactive Product Demonstrations: Engaging and Informing Customers
Augmented reality enhances the shopping experience by enabling interactive product demonstrations. Customers can use their smartphones or AR-enabled devices to scan products and instantly access detailed information, videos, or 3D models. They can explore product features, see how they work, and make informed purchasing decisions.
AR-powered interactive demonstrations not only engage customers but also provide valuable information that helps them understand the product’s value proposition. By educating customers and showcasing the benefits of the product in an interactive way, retailers can increase customer confidence and drive conversions.
Visualizing Home Decor: Personalizing the Space
For retailers in the home decor industry, augmented reality offers an exciting opportunity to help customers visualize how products will look in their own spaces. By using AR, customers can virtually place furniture, artwork, or decor items in their homes, allowing them to see how the products fit their existing aesthetics and dimensions.
This level of personalization provides customers with the confidence to make well-informed purchasing decisions, reducing the likelihood of returns and enhancing customer satisfaction. AR-powered visualization also enables retailers to showcase their full range of products without the need for physical showrooms, expanding their reach and offering customers a more diverse selection.
Creating Memorable Experiences: Differentiating from Competitors
Augmented reality in retail is not just about practical applications; it’s also about creating memorable experiences that differentiate brands from their competitors. By incorporating AR into the shopping journey, retailers can surprise and delight customers, making their brand stand out and fostering emotional connections.
Whether it’s through gamification, interactive storytelling, or immersive product showcases, augmented reality allows retailers to tap into consumers’ sense of wonder and create lasting impressions. These unique experiences not only drive customer loyalty but also generate positive word-of-mouth, attracting new customers and expanding the brand’s reach.
In the next sections, we will explore how augmented reality is revolutionizing the e-commerce industry and bridging the gap between online and offline shopping experiences. Get ready to discover the exciting possibilities that AR brings to the world of retail!
5. Augmented Reality in E-commerce: Bridging the Gap between Online and Offline
E-commerce has transformed the way we shop, offering convenience and a vast selection of products. However, one challenge of online shopping is the inability to physically interact with products before making a purchase. Augmented reality bridges this gap, bringing the benefits of offline shopping to the online realm.
Virtual Product Try-Ons: Confidence in the Digital World
Augmented reality enables virtual product try-ons, allowing customers to see how products will look on them before making a purchase. Whether it’s trying on clothes, testing out makeup shades, or even visualizing furniture in their homes, AR brings a level of confidence and assurance to online shoppers.
Virtual try-ons provide customers with a realistic representation of the product, helping them make informed decisions and reducing the likelihood of returns. By incorporating AR into their e-commerce platforms, retailers can enhance the customer experience, build trust, and increase conversions.
Visualizing Products in the Real World: Making Informed Choices
Another powerful application of augmented reality in e-commerce is the ability to visualize products in the real world. Customers can use AR-enabled devices to see how furniture will look in their living room, how a new TV will fit on their wall, or how a piece of artwork will complement their existing decor.
By bridging the gap between online and offline environments, AR enables customers to make more informed choices. They can assess the product’s size, scale, and aesthetics in their personal space, ensuring that it aligns with their vision and meets their expectations.
Interactive Shopping Experiences: Engaging and Memorable
Augmented reality takes e-commerce beyond the realm of static images and text descriptions. By incorporating interactive elements, AR creates engaging and memorable shopping experiences. Customers can interact with virtual objects, explore features, and customize products to their preferences.
These interactive experiences not only captivate customers but also foster a sense of ownership and connection with the products. By immersing customers in a dynamic and personalized shopping journey, AR-powered e-commerce enhances customer satisfaction and builds brand loyalty.
Expanding Reach and Overcoming Barriers
Augmented reality in e-commerce also has the power to expand reach and overcome geographical barriers. With AR, customers can virtually try on products, visualize items in their spaces, and make purchases from anywhere in the world.
This accessibility opens up new markets for retailers, allowing them to connect with customers who may not have had access to their products previously. By embracing AR technology, e-commerce businesses can broaden their customer base, increase sales, and establish themselves as innovative leaders in the industry.
In the following sections, we will explore how augmented reality is transforming the world of gamification and creating engaging experiences that captivate customers. Get ready to discover the exciting fusion of AR and gaming!
6. Gamification and Augmented Reality: Creating Engaging Experiences
Augmented reality and gamification are a match made in heaven, combining the immersive power of AR with the engaging elements of games. This fusion of technologies opens up a world of possibilities for creating interactive and captivating experiences that drive customer engagement and leave a lasting impact.
Turning Everyday Activities into Playful Experiences
Gamification, at its core, involves applying game design principles and mechanics to non-game activities. Augmented reality takes this concept to the next level by integrating virtual elements into real-world environments, turning everyday activities into playful experiences.
AR-powered gamification allows brands to transform mundane tasks into exciting challenges, quests, or adventures. By adding interactive elements, rewards, and competition, businesses can motivate customers to actively participate and engage with their brand in a fun and memorable way.
Creating Memorable Brand Experiences
Augmented reality gamification offers a unique opportunity for brands to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on their audience. By incorporating storytelling, problem-solving, and social interaction, brands can create immersive and unforgettable adventures that captivate and inspire.
These experiences go beyond traditional marketing methods, forging emotional connections and building strong brand affinity. When customers associate positive emotions and memorable moments with a brand, they are more likely to become loyal advocates and ambassadors.
Enhancing Learning and Skill Development
Gamification and augmented reality also have immense potential in enhancing learning and skill development. By gamifying educational content or training programs, businesses can make the process more engaging, interactive, and effective.
AR-powered gamified learning experiences allow users to actively participate, practice new skills, and receive instant feedback. This dynamic approach not only improves knowledge retention but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Driving Social Interaction and Connection
Gamification and augmented reality have the power to bring people together, fostering social interaction and connection. By incorporating multiplayer elements, collaborative challenges, or virtual competitions, brands can create engaging experiences that encourage users to connect and interact with each other.
This social aspect not only amplifies the fun and excitement but also enables brands to tap into the power of community and user-generated content. When users share their AR gamification experiences with others, it creates a ripple effect, expanding the brand’s reach and building a sense of belonging among its audience.
In the next sections, we will explore how augmented reality is transforming the realm of events and experiential marketing, opening up new possibilities for creating immersive and unforgettable brand experiences. Get ready to be inspired by the fusion of AR and events!
7. Augmented Reality Events: Transforming Experiential Marketing
Events provide a unique opportunity for brands to create immersive and memorable experiences that leave a lasting impact on attendees. With the integration of augmented reality, events are taken to a whole new level, transforming traditional experiential marketing and captivating audiences like never before.
Creating Immersive Event Experiences
Augmented reality allows event organizers to create immersive experiences that transport attendees to new realms and blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. By overlaying virtual elements onto the real-world environment, AR transforms events into interactive and dynamic spaces.
From virtual tours and interactive installations to gamified challenges and storytelling experiences, augmented reality adds a layer of excitement and engagement to events. Attendees become active participants, exploring, interacting, and discovering new dimensions of the event.
Personalizing the Event Journey
One of the key advantages of augmented reality in events is its ability to personalize the attendee experience. AR-powered apps or devices can provide personalized recommendations, interactive maps, and tailored content based on individual preferences and interests.
By personalizing the event journey, attendees feel more connected to the experience, fostering a sense of belonging and making the event more meaningful to them. This level of personalization enhances overall satisfaction and encourages attendees to share their positive experiences with others.
Extending the Event Beyond Physical Limitations
Augmented reality enables event organizers to extend the reach and impact of their events beyond physical limitations. With AR, virtual attendance becomes possible, allowing people from anywhere in the world to participate in the event remotely.
Virtual attendance opens up new opportunities for event organizers to connect with a broader audience and maximize the event’s reach. It also provides a solution for individuals who may face geographical, logistical, or accessibility constraints, ensuring that they can still be part of the event and benefit from the immersive experiences.
Driving Brand Awareness and Engagement
Augmented reality events have the power to drive brand awareness and engagement by creating memorable and shareable experiences. Attendees are more likely to capture and share their AR-powered moments on social media, amplifying the event’s visibility and generating buzz.
When attendees become active advocates for the event experience, it creates a ripple effect, attracting more attention and increasing the overall impact. Augmented reality events provide a unique opportunity for brands to elevate their presence, create a lasting impression, and build a strong community of enthusiastic supporters.
In the following sections, we will explore how augmented reality is revolutionizing advertising campaigns, inspiring creativity, and enabling brands to captivate their audience with innovative AR marketing strategies. Get ready to discover the limitless possibilities of augmented reality advertising!
8. Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns: Inspiring Creativity
Augmented reality has unleashed a new realm of creative possibilities for advertising campaigns, allowing brands to captivate their audience and deliver unforgettable experiences. With the integration of AR, advertising campaigns are no longer limited to static images or passive messages but become interactive, immersive, and inspiring.
Virtual Reality Tours: Transporting Customers to New Realms
Augmented reality enables brands to create virtual reality tours that transport customers to new realms and immerse them in captivating experiences. Whether it’s exploring exotic destinations, visiting the backstage of a fashion show, or taking a virtual test drive, VR tours allow customers to engage with the brand in a unique and memorable way.
Virtual reality tours provide a glimpse into what the brand represents and what it has to offer. By creating a sense of wonder and adventure, brands can establish a powerful connection with their audience and inspire them to explore further.
Interactive Billboards: Captivating Attention in the Real World
Traditional billboards can easily blend into the background, lost in the sea of advertisements. Augmented reality changes the game by transforming static billboards into interactive experiences that capture attention and engage passersby.
AR-powered billboards invite viewers to interact with virtual content, play games, or unlock hidden surprises. By turning a passive viewing experience into an active engagement, brands can make a lasting impression and stand out from the crowd.
AR-Powered Print Ads: Bringing Static Images to Life
Print ads often struggle to capture attention in today’s digital world. Augmented reality breathes new life into print advertising, turning static images into dynamic and interactive experiences.
AR-powered print ads can be scanned using smartphones or AR-enabled devices, triggering the display of virtual content, videos, or 3D models. This interactivity adds depth and engagement to the print medium, making the brand message more memorable and impactful.
Experiential AR Campaigns: Engaging Senses and Emotions
Augmented reality allows brands to create experiential campaigns that engage multiple senses and evoke emotions. By combining visual and auditory elements with interactive storytelling, brands can create immersive experiences that resonate with their audience on a deeper level.
Experiential AR campaigns have the power to ignite emotions, create lasting memories, and foster a sense of connection between the brand and its audience. By tapping into the power of storytelling and the human desire for meaningful experiences, brands can inspire and motivate their customers.
In the next sections, we will explore the challenges and practical solutions for implementing augmented reality marketing, helping you navigate the AR landscape successfully. Get ready to unlock the full potential of augmented reality marketing!
9. Overcoming Challenges: Implementing Augmented Reality Marketing
While augmented reality marketing holds immense potential, there are challenges that businesses may face when implementing this transformative technology. However, with careful planning and strategic approaches, these challenges can be overcome, allowing brands to harness the power of augmented reality successfully.
Technical Implementation and Infrastructure
One of the primary challenges of implementing augmented reality marketing is the technical aspect. Brands need to consider the hardware and software requirements, ensuring compatibility with various devices and platforms. Developing AR applications or integrating AR features into existing systems may require specialized expertise and resources.
By partnering with experienced developers or utilizing user-friendly AR platforms, businesses can simplify the technical implementation process. It’s also important to consider the infrastructure needed to support AR experiences, such as reliable internet connections and sufficient processing power for smooth user interactions.
User Adoption and Accessibility
For augmented reality marketing to be successful, user adoption and accessibility are crucial. Brands need to ensure that their target audience has access to AR-enabled devices and understands how to use them. Educating and familiarizing customers with the benefits and functionalities of AR can help overcome adoption barriers.
Accessibility is another consideration. Brands should strive to make their AR experiences inclusive and compatible with a wide range of devices, ensuring that as many users as possible can engage with the content. This may involve optimizing for different operating systems, screen sizes, and input methods.
Content Creation and Integration
Creating engaging and compelling AR content is essential for a successful marketing campaign. Brands need to carefully plan and design their AR experiences, considering factors such as storytelling, interactivity, and user engagement. This may involve collaborating with content creators, designers, and developers to bring the vision to life.
Integrating AR into existing marketing strategies and channels can also be a challenge. Brands need to consider how AR fits into their overall marketing mix and how it can seamlessly integrate with other channels, such as social media, websites, or mobile apps. This integration ensures a consistent and cohesive brand experience across platforms.
Measuring ROI and Effectiveness
Measuring the return on investment (ROI) and effectiveness of augmented reality marketing efforts can be challenging. Traditional metrics may not fully capture the impact of AR experiences. Brands need to define clear objectives and identify appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of their AR campaigns.
Utilizing analytics tools and tracking user interactions can provide valuable insights into user engagement, conversion rates, and customer behavior. Gathering feedback from users and conducting surveys or interviews can also help gauge the effectiveness of AR experiences and identify areas for improvement.
By addressing these challenges and implementing strategic solutions, businesses can unlock the full potential of augmented reality marketing. In the next section, we will explore the exciting future of augmented reality marketing and the possibilities that lie ahead. Get ready to embrace the future!
10. The Future of Augmented Reality Marketing: Embrace the Possibilities
As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the future of augmented reality marketing holds incredible potential. This transformative technology is set to revolutionize the way brands connect with their audience, creating new opportunities and possibilities for engaging and immersive experiences.
Personalized and Contextual Experiences
In the future, augmented reality marketing will become even more personalized and contextual. By leveraging data and artificial intelligence, brands can deliver tailored AR experiences based on individual preferences, behaviors, and location.
Imagine receiving personalized recommendations and offers as you walk through a store, or having virtual assistants guide you through a shopping experience, providing real-time information and assistance. Augmented reality will enable brands to create hyper-personalized experiences that resonate deeply with their customers.
Seamless Integration into Everyday Life
Augmented reality will seamlessly integrate into our everyday lives, becoming a natural extension of our reality. AR-enabled glasses, contact lenses, or even embedded technology will enable users to effortlessly access and interact with virtual content in real-time.
From navigating city streets with AR overlays to instantly translating foreign languages, augmented reality will enhance our daily experiences and provide us with valuable information at our fingertips. Brands will have the opportunity to connect with customers in new and innovative ways, seamlessly blending into their daily routines.
Interactive Social Experiences
Augmented reality will transform social interactions, enabling immersive and interactive experiences with friends, family, and even strangers. AR-powered social platforms will allow users to collaborate, play games, and share virtual experiences in real-time.
Brands will have the opportunity to tap into these social experiences, creating interactive and shareable AR campaigns that engage and inspire. Collaborative challenges, virtual events, and gamified interactions will bring people together, fostering a sense of community and connection.
The Rise of Web-Based AR
Web-based augmented reality will become more prevalent, eliminating the need for dedicated apps or specialized devices. Users will be able to access AR experiences directly through web browsers on their smartphones or other devices, making AR more accessible and user-friendly.
This shift to web-based AR will open up new opportunities for brands to reach a wider audience and deliver immersive experiences without the need for additional downloads or installations. AR will become seamlessly integrated into our online experiences, from e-commerce to social media.
With the future of augmented reality marketing brimming with possibilities, now is the time to embrace this transformative technology. By staying ahead of the curve and embracing the potential of AR, brands can create innovative and engaging experiences that captivate their audience and propel their marketing strategies to new heights.
Thank you for joining us on this inspiring journey through augmented reality marketing. We hope this article has sparked your imagination and provided valuable insights into the exciting world of AR. Now, it’s time to take the leap and unlock the limitless possibilities of augmented reality marketing!
Augmented reality marketing is a game-changer that is redefining the way brands connect with their audience. By seamlessly integrating virtual elements into the real world, AR creates immersive and engaging experiences that captivate customers and leave a lasting impact. From virtual try-ons and interactive product demonstrations to gamified campaigns and virtual reality tours, the possibilities of augmented reality in marketing are limitless.
As we have explored in this article, augmented reality marketing has the power to revolutionize industries such as retail, e-commerce, events, and advertising. It bridges the gap between online and offline, enhances customer engagement, and fosters personalization. The challenges of implementing AR can be overcome with careful planning and strategic approaches, paving the way for successful AR campaigns.
The future of augmented reality marketing is truly exciting. With personalized experiences, seamless integration into everyday life, interactive social interactions, and the rise of web-based AR, the possibilities are endless. As technology continues to evolve, brands need to embrace the potential of AR and leverage it to create innovative and captivating experiences that resonate with their audience.
So, are you ready to embrace the future of marketing? Augmented reality awaits, offering a world of possibilities to engage, inspire, and connect with customers in ways we’ve never imagined before. Now is the time to harness the power of augmented reality marketing and embark on a journey of creativity, personalization, and unforgettable experiences. The future is here – let’s embrace it together!