FUTURE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
Digital technology has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life. Travel, work, shopping entertainment, and communications are just some of the areas that have been revolutionized in recent decades. It's now rare to find an electronic device or piece of machinery that doesn't incorporate digital technology in some way. Digital technology is going to be very fast, huge, economical, and transformational. Some of the future dominating technologies are as discussed below:
1. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: The increasing ability of machines to learn and act intelligently will absolutely transform our world. It is also the driving force behind many of the other trends on this list.
2. The Internet of Things (IoT): This refers to the ever-growing number of "smart" devices and objects that are connected to the internet. Such devices are constantly gathering and transmitting data, further fueling the growth in Big Data and AI.
3. Wearables and augmented humans: What started with fitness trackers have now exploded into a whole industry of wearable technology designed to improve human performance and help us live healthier, safer, more efficient lives. In the future, we may even see humans merge with technology to create "augmented humans" or "transhumans."
4. Quantum computing: Quantum computers - unimaginably fast computers capable of solving seemingly unsolvable problems - will make our current state-of-the-art technology look like something out of the Stone Age. As yet, work in quantum computing is largely restricted to labs, but we could see the first commercially available quantum computer this decade.
5. Intelligent spaces and smart places: Closely linked to the IoT, this trend is seeing physical spaces like homes, offices, and even whole cities becoming increasingly connected and smart.
6. Blockchain and distributed ledgers: The super secure method of storing, authenticating, and protecting data could revolutionize many aspects of the business - particularly when it comes to facilitating trusted transactions.
7. Computer vision and facial recognition: Machines can talk, so why shouldn't they "see" as well?'This technology allows machines to visually interpret the world around them, with facial recognition being a prime example. Although we will no doubt see greater regulatory control over the use of facial recognition, this technology isn't going anywhere.
8. Robots and Cobots. Today's robots are more intelligent than ever, learning to respond to their environment and perform tasks without human intervention. In certain industries, the future of work is likely to involve humans working seamlessly with robot colleagues- hence the term "cobot," or "collaborative robot.
9. Autonomous vehicles: The 2020s will be the decade in which autonomous vehicles of all kinds cars, taxis, trucks, and even ships - become truly autonomous and commercially viable.
10. 5G: The fifth generation of cellular network technology will give us taster, smarter, more stable wireless networking, thereby driving advances in many other trends (eg, more connected devices and richer streams of data).
11. Genomics and gene editing: Advances in computing and analytics have driven incredible leaps in our understanding of the human genome. Now, were progressing to altering the genetic structure of living organisms (for example, "correcting DNA mutations that lead to cancer).
12. Machine co-creativity and augmented design: Thanks to Al, machines can do many things-
including creating artwork and designs. As a result, we can expect creative and design processes
to shift towards greater collaboration with machines.
13. Digital platforms: Facebook, Uber, and Airbnb are all household-name examples of digital platforms - networks that facilitate connections and exchanges between people. This trend is turning established business models on their heads, leading many traditional businesses to transition to or incorporate a platform-based model.
14. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles: These aircraft, which are piloted either remotely or autonomously, have changed the face of military operations. But the impact doesn't stop there search and rescue missions, firefighting, law enforcement, and transportation will all be transformed by drone technology. Get ready for passenger drones (drone taxis), too!
15. Cybersecurity and resilience: As businesses face unprecedented new threats, the ability to avoid and mitigate cybersecurity threats will be critical to success over the next decade.
