The term "Digital Economy" is, in fact, a conjoined, blended syllable of limitless possibilities and the application of our world in this time. It is the amalgamation of digital computing working its marvels in the age-old concepts of economic activities. The 21st century has often been dubbed as the Digital Book, so it isn’t rhetorical but a logical fact that our society and economy as a whole are linked with digital innovation. From the moment we wake up till the time we end our day with a good night's rest – individuals, businesses, and commerce of the present survive and thrive with information and communication technologies (ICT).

The transition from the traditional barter system of trade and finance has been quickly upgraded in its standards through the help of the Internet, World Wide Web, and blockchain technologies. It has altered conventional notions about how businesses are structured, how consumers obtain goods and services, and how nations need to adapt to new regulatory challenges. One way to detect this is through the example of how big corporations and retailers like eBay or Amazon were able to maximise their profits from the sale of consumer product goods without any physical presence. This kind of trend has accelerated worldwide since the lockdowns enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may have forced the whole world to standstill, but behind virtual meetings, online education, and seminars - a new economic structure and services became a constant factor.

From dusty blackboards in school to a classroom equipped with digital projector and PowerPoint presentation of subject lessons to every child obtaining a mobile screen that keeps them in home - the digital era of our time is widespread in terms of its usage and accessibility. Technologies in the form of mobile devices, laptops, flat-screen televisions, and desktops have not only made our lives more convenient but have changed the world to untold possibilities. Who would have thought that the car we use today could learn to drive on its own or maybe even fly like a plane in the future? Or the phone and screen time we use would be transparent enough to be viewed in either four dimensions or more? Or one minute of artistic performance and collages of pictures on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram could label anyone as a rising social influencer with millions of fan base and millions of monetised fame? Or the manufacture and delivery of the product you seek would be at your beck and call instead of paying for it with cash upfront? Or the hard currency we trade in markets would be soon replaced with an intangible form of coins or pi that form the concept of Cryptocurrency and digital transaction? Maybe after few years, every person would have their own customised central bank instead of the country’s central bank that safeguards its finances and budget.

Both development and utilisation of intangible assets are key features of the digital economy. This investment in intangibles such as software is a fundamental contributor to value creation and economic growth for companies in the digital economy. Since pre-COVID-19 times, companies started substantially increasing the amount of investment allocated to intangibles such as branding, design, and technology more than prioritising hardware, machinery, or property. It was also evident that without proper ICT infrastructure in every workplace and business, it could hamper the quality and efficiency of those employed and the output of services. Therefore, I remember vividly about my cousin’s most struggling and laborious experiences of starting a tour guide office. He initially started with five employees on payday working on a box of a computer with an obsolete CPU. Presently, his office interior is like a maze of a call centre that does not know silence for eight hours.

In conclusion, the digital economy is not a hoax; it is the trendsetter. We have often been spoiled and lenient towards the devices we use in our day-to-day lives, but there are still countless opportunities to tap into the unexplored potential to work with it in a professional manner. Like any creative arts and crafts, digital economy is the creation of our own but it is widely backed by the original scientific charm presented in technologies, algorithm writing, computer programming, and binary codes that most science fiction and journals could seldom be written.