Caspar Thykier has been at the bleeding edge of technological innovation for over 25 years, first as a top advertising executive and now as the visionary co-founder and CEO of Zappar, a pioneering computer vision company. In this candid interview, the XR trailblazer shares his insights on the latest game-changing innovations that are poised to reshape the tech world as we know it.

What’s been one of your favourite tech innovations in the last year?

Reflecting on the past year, one of the most standout tech innovations for me has been the development and implementation of the ‘Accessible QR’ (AQR) code. The AQR code, detectable by accessibility apps, transforms product packaging into a source of valuable information that can be easily accessed by the blind and partially sighted community.

In a notable advancement, the AQR was integrated into the Be My Eyes app and their OpenAI, ChatGPT4 Vision integration, underpinning a more conversational and assistive experience for Be My Eyes users with unambiguous, structured and accurate data. This marked a new type of ‘product as a service’, levelling the playing field still further for access to information for people with sight loss. 

AQRs aren’t just about improving accessibility though; they represent a broader move towards inclusivity in product design and a step forward in recognizing the importance of making every aspect of daily life accessible to all. The collaboration between Zappar, Be My Eyes, and other partners, including giants like Unilever, showcases a future where technology serves to break down barriers rather than create them, making this one of the most exciting and meaningful technological advancements in recent times.


What is one trend you foresee will change up the tech world in the next year?

That is an enormous question to which the obvious, and perhaps a little lazy, answer would be anything with AI in the title! It’s true, AI is clearly a step-change technology as big in scale as the introduction of the internal or the Apple iPhone and the myriad of disruptive technologies and business that sleek black box unlocked.

What’s fascinating about AI is that it could unleash the next billion dollar business to challenge the Magnificent Seven.

But on the basis that every answer to this question will have AI in the answer I’m going to go somewhere else and closer to home.

Unbeknownst to most people (because it’s dull, bureaucratic and seemingly old school), there is a once-in-a-generation seismic change in product packaging artwork as it relates to supply chain, consumer engagement and accessibility. 

The trillions of products and packaging sold in the world every year by the world’s biggest CPG companies, retail groups and the army of SMEs that keep the global economy afloat are all faced with new GS1 global standards and their Sunrise 2027 initiative; E.U. legislation around Digital Product Passports; and indeed the EU Accessibility Act and a rise in ESG charters in large corporations.

What does this mean in practice? Well, the 1D barcode called a UPC (that zebra print looking thing you scan at checkout) is being replaced by new GS1 digital link QR codes as a new improved 2D barcode that can act as a single, smaller, more compact code scheme that can pack a much bigger punch. Yup, the ugly duckling of a QR code that has been around for 30 years is about to have its swan-like moment and totally reimagine connected packaging for supply chain optimisation, track & trace, authentication, product recall, consumer engagement and promotions and also tackling accessibility for the blind and partially sighted. Put another way, there will be no such thing as unconnected packaging by 2030. And that work starts now as 2030 in product packaging terms is a heartbeat away.

What does that mean for the tech world and indeed media and advertising world at large? Well, your owned media as a product owner is about to get unlocked in a major way as potentially your most valuable piece of inventory. You now have direct access to your customers not only at point of purchase but at point of use. You’ve got a treasure trove of new insight and first party data to help with all your brand strategy decisions. You can massively improve efficiencies in your supply chain and reduce risk and cost on product recalls. You can tackle grey market issues more effectively. And you’ve got a way to finally make product packaging available to everyone, everywhere as a basic human right.

The opportunity for tech is creating the new systems to operationalise and measure this new packaging superpower. For brand owners your packaging is about to turn into product as a service underpinned by technology and your passive print becomes your new digital discovery channel.


What is a dream brand you would like to work with, and why?

Dream brands are somewhat of a mirage in my experience. They are alluring and captivating from a distance but often prove to be anything but once you’ve arrived at your destination. Dream clients are more important. Ultimately we work in a people business where relationships trump the logo farm on your website. 

Dream clients are those that value your opinion as subject matter experts, who understand that results come through partnership and collaboration; are clear on their objectives and give structured and directional feedback; and are good at guiding their own organisation and other partner companies through the process. They’re also the ones that know occasionally you need a leap of faith and need to take intelligent risks as nothing is certain in life. Dream clients are the ones that also mean that your people within your organisation will enjoy going to work and want to go the extra mile knowing they’re developing great technology, services and products that will be used by people with partners they like and trust. With dream clients, it doesn’t matter what industry or brand you’re working for – big or small, famous or forgotten – because you get to enjoy what you do and make a difference.

If you could change one thing in the industry, what would it be?

Payment terms by big corporates (or any client for that matter) that are anything above net 30 days from invoice. There is absolutely no reason why this should not be achievable. The net 90-120-day terms following delivery by big companies is a borderline criminal practice in my view. It should be stopped immediately and enforced by law. 

And finally, if you could invent any piece of technology, what would it be?

I’m a big believer in the fact that technology can make things better, faster, cheaper. But honestly, what we need to embrace is genuine communication, debate and social discourse without the hate, vitriol, trolling, anxiety, misinformation, mental strain and emotional distance that unfortunately technology has exacerbated. We’re building technologies that make us less human. We talk about creating new communities online but we’re breaking real ones apart in the home and in our local communities. 

So if someone could invent a ‘verified fact’ API for social media and new GenAI that would be helpful. A means by which facts can be sorted from fiction and can be instantly obtained and verified and where any subjective or misleading information (written, spoken, filmed or captured) is immediately called out with accuracy. Think how that would free up the legal process and put an end to fake news, posts and review. Being economical with the truth could still be permitted (the world probably isn’t ready for everything to be out in the open so it’s not the same as saying if asked a question you have to give factual, verified evidence – you can still plead the fifth!) but outright lies, untruths and inaccuracies that can have a clear negative social impact could hopefully be taken out of the system more often. Sounds improbable but I’d like to see it.