Technology is constantly evolving, allowing us to make increasingly faster changes and progress. This growth has been coming exponentially over the years and not even events like COVID-19 are able to slow its progress down.
IT professionals know that their roles today may not be the same tomorrow as they continue to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
For the regular person out there, this can be seen as technology trends that are emerged and discussed amongst us. Everyone should be keeping their eyes on the future as the various trends we are talking about now could very well be reality in a matter of a year or two.
Here are some of the latest and best technology trends being discussed.
1. AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already gotten plenty of buzz for over a decade. We already see a lot of in our daily lives as its used for image and speech recognition, navigation apps, smartphone personal assistants and more.
Those serve as a foundation as other AI can be built for more. People are already predicting that AI will be in hospitals soon enough as a tool to help authorities make smarter decisions about resource management.
Machine Learning is a branch of AI. This technology has also been deployed in small areas and is proving to be effective as well. It’s predicted that this technology – and automation – will create 9 percent of new US jobs by 2025.
2. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Similar to AI and Machine Leaning, RPA is another technology automation jobs. It automates business processes like interpreting applications, processing transactions, and can even reply to emails.
These systems excel at handling repetitive tasks that we used to do all the time. However, there are still several repetitive tasks that could be automated, making this career path a trend to keep an eye on.
3. Edge Computing
Cloud computing used to be cutting edge a few years ago and is something that many popular platforms and technology offers today. But businesses realize now how cloud computing is limited in certain areas. Particularly when dealing with large amounts of data.
Their newest solution is a latest emerging trend: Edge computing. It’s designed to solve some of these issues as a means of bypassing the latency that’s resulted by cloud computer and retrieving data for a datacenter for it to process.
Edge computing is the act of keeping the data “on the edge” and closer to where computing needs can occur.
4. Quantum Computing
Another form of computing that’s growing in popularity is quantum computing. This technology is responsible for preventing the spread of COVID by allowing scientists to develop potential vaccines at a faster rate than ever before.
These computers are faster than regular computers by a massive margin and it’s only now where huge brands are embracing the technology and are making innovative leaps in this field.
5. Virtual And Augmented Reality (VR & AR)
While there have been some application of VR, AR, and Extended Reality (ER), some of the attempts haven’t been the greatest. Nevertheless, it’s still discussed at length as this technology has plenty of applications beyond entertainment for the public.
Already this technology has been used for simulation softwares such as for flight or military. Many may have experienced AR in the popular Pokemon Go mobile app. These technologies are slowly being integrated further into our lives, usually bundled with other technologies in this list.
6. Blockchain
While it’s common to associate this technology with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain has more applications than creating volatile currencies. Another way to look at blockchain is that it’s data that can only be added to and can never be changed or deleted.
From this perspective, businesses and governments have slowly been implementing blockchain in various ways.
7. Internet of Things (IoT)
There are many “things” that are now built with WiFi these days. Today, we can remotely lock doors, preheat ovens, track our fitness level through Fitbits and more. IoT has made our lives incredibly convenient as it is.
But there is still more room for it to grow. For example, IoT can ensure stronger safety, efficiency and decision-making. It can also enable faster speed of medical care, predictive maintenance, improve customer service amongst other things.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is related booming industry.
8. 5G
3G and 4G technologies have been around for a while and we use them all extensively. It’s the technology that allows us to browse the internet, use data driven services, have more bandwidth for streaming and more.
5G is a step above all that, enabling services that rely on AR and VR technology, cloud-based gaming services and more. Factories are expected to use it as well along with HD cameras which all boost their effectiveness and efficiency.
5G signals need towers that are closer in proximity and that is what slows down the adoption unless you are in a densely populated area.
9. CyberSecurity
Even though this is at the bottom of the trend list, it’s still a big trend that’s discussed. As new technologies emerge, there comes new threats. These threats aren’t going to be going away any time soon so it’s important for people to take measures.
Cyber Security is strongly needed as research shows $6 trillion is expected to be spent globally on cybersecurity alone in 2021.