As the end of 2019 comes to a close and we enter a new decade, I can’t help look back and think how much technology has evolved in the last ten years, which excites me (probably more than it should) for the next decade.
In the age of technology, it seems that everything around us is constantly changing, evolving or is now an app in some shape or form.
With these rapid and progressive technology changes, it’s hard to keep up to date with the latest tech trends. Take a look at 5 of the hottest trends which will likely bring significant innovative growth over the next 12 months.
Machine Learning
Yes, it was pretty obvious that Machine learning was going to appear on this list, but you just can’t ignore it. It’s used in pretty much all the technologies we use daily (websites, online banking security, phone cameras, etc.)
Machine learning (ML) is a subset of Artificial Intelligence but there are multiple subsidiaries in the realm of ML, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Deep Learning.
Each of these different “specialisms” offers their own field of learning and career opportunities that will only grow, its already being quickly deployed in an array of industries, creating a seemingly overnight demand for skilled professionals.
There are currently 9.8 times more Machine Learning Engineers working today than five years ago, according to LinkedIn Research and with the market expected to grow $8.81 billion by 2022, we don’t see this slowing down anytime soon.
Analytics
Customer data is valuable and businesses that do not invest heavily in advanced analytics solutions in 2020, probably won’t be around in 2021.
There is a whole host of customer data that can be collated using tools such as guest wifi combined with wifi analytics tools. Companies that don’t utilize this will fail to have the competitive edge.
Relying on gut feeling and “oh, but that worked before” as drivers for key marketing and general business decisions, just won’t cut it anymore.
Not when companies are leveraging sophisticated tools to build detailed customer profiles, enabling them to tailor marketing solutions to individuals that have visited both online, and brick and motor stores using tools such as Purples wifi marketing solution.
Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality implies a complete immersion that shuts out the physical world, whereas Augmented Reality adds digital elements to real-life.
Arguably it is the most exciting technological advancement in recent years, like something you could only imagine being in Star Trek, only its being applied to real-life situations.
Augmented reality is being explored for many applications, from gaming and entertainment to medicine and education.
This groundbreaking technology’s use case in healthcare pitches how AR application helps reconstruct tumors in 3D so surgeons can view X-rays in real-time without any harmful radiation exposure to the patient.
Statisa predicts that the market will grow to nearly $50 billion by 2021 from its modest worth of $200 million in 2016.
Cybersecurity
You probably didn’t expect to see Cybersecurity on a list of emerging technologies, as it has been around for some time now, but as with every technology, it evolves.
New threats are constant and hackers aren’t going to be stopping trying to steal personal/sensitive data anytime soon.
Business digitalization and cloud-based applications are being applied throughout the majority of businesses now, leaving many owners with a shortage of IT talent, nevermind with the added expertise of security added in.
Estimates from a report by Forbes indicated that there could be a shortage of 3.5 million professionals in the industry by 2021.
We are sure to see an increase in investment in training and education over the next few years if we really want to bridge that gap, and with personal data at risk, it’d be worrying if that initiative does not take place.
Personalized & Predictive Medicine
Technology is moving healthcare forward at an exponential rate. Our ability to capture lifestyle data from smartwatches (Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.) is giving healthcare professionals the ability to predict and even treat potential health issues before a patient even has any symptoms.
For example, at Apple’s Launch Event this year Tim Cook made a compilation of videos he had received from people supporting the fact that apple watch had detected wearers with conditions such as Atrial Fibrillation, prompting them to go to the doctors, ultimately saving their lives.
When it comes to treatment, this technology will be able to help doctors prescribe more personalized medicine, sometimes referred to as precision medicine. A data-driven understanding of how effective certain treatments are on individuals will accelerate this market forward over the next 12 months.
