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4 Recent Trends in Digital Technologies

Technology is rapidly evolving.

And…

Yearly forecasts of trends quickly go out-of-date prior to the predictions being published or going live.

With faster technological changes, progress and change occur, further accelerating the speed at which the changes occur. The changes eventually become exponential.

Failing to keep up with major tech trends is a gateway to staying behind. Otherwise, keeping abreast with the changes can allow you to identify, prepare and exploit opportunities as they arise.

Individuals and businesses should always look ahead and identify critical tech trends.

Similarly, careers based on technology change at varied speeds but do evolve. For instance, the roles of IT professionals keep changing with evolving technology. This means that continuous learning is inevitable.

So…

What does this mean?

Both individuals and businesses need to keep abreast with emerging technologies. Keep your eyes on the future to determine the skills you need to learn and what you may want to qualify to do.

Top 4 Technological Trends in 2020

Artificial Intelligence

Also known as AI, artificial intelligence continues to trend despite being a buzz over the last few years. It impacts work, life, and plays or entertainment.

AI involves building intelligent systems that mimic human intelligence. It can perform various tasks just like humans. They include:

  • Recognition of patterns
  • Recognition of speech and images
  • Decision-making

Unlike humans, AI technologies can perform the tasks above faster and more accurately.

Studies reveal that every 5 out of 6 Americans utilize AI services in different forms, including:

  • Smartphone personal assistants
  • Navigation apps
  • Ride-sharing apps
  • Smart home devices
  • Streaming services
  • Home personal assistants

Apart from the above consumer uses of AI, it also supports various functions, including:

  • Business assessment risks
  • Scheduling trains
  • Improving energy efficiency
  • Predictive maintenance

The processes based on AI help individuals and businesses to save both energy and money. It’s an integral part of automation, something associated with the potential loss of jobs.

According to industry experts, automation will replace over 73 million jobs by 2030. However, automation based on AI is also predicted to create more jobs.

AI jobs, according to Pundits, will hit 23 million by 2020. Some jobs the technology is expected to create include:

  • Programming
  • Development such as AI architect.
  • Support
  • Testing
  • Maintenance

Studies show that the role of an AI architect will rival that of data scientists.

Faster WiFi connections to drive the digital world

WiFi 6 and 5G network technologies will drive faster wireless connection and processing speeds in 2020. The technologies will create perfect end-to-end office and home connectivity for ultra-fast speeds.

Download speeds will triple from WiFi 5 speeds to the true value of WiFi 6 technologies. Unlike the former, the latter technology will extend faster data speeds to more devices.

With more efficient, faster, and smarter WiFi capabilities, the number of nodes or devices in a wireless network will increase from 10 to 50 devices in the coming years.

Data consumption volume and quality over wireless networks are also expected to increase.

Extended reality

Various emerging technologies used to develop immersive digital experiences fall under the term extended reality (XR).

Extended reality refers to augmented, virtual, and mixed reality.

Virtual reality (VR) offers a completely immersive experience digitally using headsets in a computer-generated world.

Augmented reality (AR) uses displays and smartphone screens (as in Snapchat filters) to overlay objects digitally onto the real world.

On the other hand, mixed reality extends from augmented reality. It allows users to interact with digital objects in the real world. For instance, you can play a holographic piano in your room using an AR headset.

Similarly, you can play other games such as Ping Pong. You get all the equipment and accessories such as a table tennis paddle in the digital world to enjoy your gaming. Whatever you pay for the technology to enjoy your favorite game will be worth that price.

Confined to the entertainment world, these technologies have been around for the last few years. Examples of AR technologies include:

Existing XR forms are expected to redefine businesses and unearth exciting possibilities. AR and VR will increasingly be offered for simulation and training, including customer interactions.

Analytics for a competitive edge

Every business in 2020 should already be using analytics. Otherwise, they risk losing business in the next few years.

It involves the collection, processing, and conversion of valuable customer data into insights to inform any company with the need to stay competitive. This fosters the need for modern analytics tools.

With almost all businesses leveraging complex analytics tools to unearth issues, solutions, and opportunities, no guesswork is allowed in business operation.

Real-time data processing is the future of analytics. This explains why Microsoft created the Power Platform and Tableau acquisition by Salesforce.

More joint ventures, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships, and growth and investments, are expected in the future as technologies evolve and emerge.