In recent years, technology has been evolving exponentially. It is clear that the current tech trends will make or break many companies in the following years. Tech trends will be the driving force behind many changes that await us.
If you want your startup to gain a competitive edge, these are the 5 most important emerging tech trends you should follow.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence may be the biggest tech trend at the moment. AI and machine learning have made their way into our homes and workplaces. From creating personalized shopping experiences to helping us answer emails and analyze data, AI is revolutionizing the way we live and work.
AI and machine learning have become tools that help us interpret and understand the world around us. An increasing number of companies and professionals, including healthcare providers, stock traders, and car companies, are relying on machine learning to improve their performance, services, or products.
For instance, the volume of data we collect on COVID-19 infection rates and the success of the measures we take to slow down the pandemic is constantly increasing. To find efficient solutions for COVID-19-related problems, researchers are feeding this data to machine learning algorithms.
From analyzing interactions uncovered through contact tracking to monitoring the capacity of public areas, self-learning algorithms have the ability to spot connections that human analysis is not able to detect.
From socializing and shopping to recruitment, meetings, and virtual working environments, more human activity will take place online as a result of the pandemic. Businesses will use machine learning algorithms to analyze and understand the changing patterns of consumer behavior. The AI tools we use to analyze these behavioral shifts will become more commonplace.
More and more organizations will build the necessary infrastructure and set aside funds for AI technologies. Others will rely on AI as a service (discussed below).
Robots
The use of robots is becoming more common in the assisted living and care sectors. When it comes to interacting with the elderly and other members of society that are vulnerable to infection, these robots will become increasingly important.
Instead of using robots to replace human interactions, companies will use them to offer new channels of communication.
Businesses across the board are already using virtual assistants and chatbots powered by AI to offer 24/7 support to their customers. The next step will be using physical robots to provide 24/7 in-home and in-the-workplace help to everyone who needs it.
Companies are increasingly turning to robotics providers for services such as security and cleaning. The stock prices of companies involved in supplying robots are soaring at the moment.
Extended Reality (XR)
Extended reality includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. The term covers technology that uses cameras, headsets, or glasses to merge the virtual and physical worlds. By 2022, the XR market is projected to surpass $200 billion.
Soon, XR will allow consumers to head to lunch in some faraway country or shop for a new house as if they were actually on-site.
We are already seeing an increase in the use of AR and VR tools in education. The University of Virginia has developed a VR based classroom that helps teachers improve their classroom management skills.
Some manufacturing companies have started to use VR for on-the-job training because it is safer. It also allows them to simulate dangerous scenarios without actual danger.
5G and Enhanced Connectivity
5G doesn’t just mean that we will be spending less time waiting for YouTube videos to launch or webpages to load. Each time mobile connectivity evolved to a new level, we discovered new use cases for the internet.
For instance, 3G made data-driven services and web browsing useful on mobile devices. And, as bandwidths increased with the introduction of 4G, streaming video and music platforms started to grow.
Cloud-based gaming platforms such as NVidia’s GeForce or Google’s Stadia or advanced technologies such as VR and AR will become much more viable when 5G launches worldwide.
Since we won’t need to be tethered to a particular location when 5G becomes commonplace, fiber-based and cable networks may become redundant.
Eventually, 5G will make all other major tech trends available anywhere, any time. There are already some practical examples of this. For instance, Samlar, a Norwegian fishery operator, uses a pilot 5G Telenor Norway network to automate the feeding and care of its fish.
The “As-A-Service” Revolution
AI, robotics, and other technological advancements have become so accessible partially thanks to the “as-a-service” revolution. The “as-a-service” sector provides services that we need to work through on-demand, cloud-based platforms. It’s one of the reasons why even small businesses and solopreneurs can take advantage of groundbreaking technologies.
Many innovators and startups in all industries no longer need to invest huge amounts of money in specialized equipment, tools, and people in order to deploy cutting-edge tech thanks to the many cloud offerings from companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
About the Author:
Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael’s work at Qeedle.
