Research shows that 50 percent of the growth in global technology use is due to emerging innovation. There's no doubt that technology has moved from being a segment of society to a tool that's impacting every layer of life.
Here's a look at the top 10 technology trends you should be on the lookout for:
1) Personalization in Health
Technology has created new avenues for healthcare firms to deliver services that establish efficiencies.
With the advent of wearables such as Fitbit and Apple Watch, personalization has grown in precision. These devices can generate health-related data for their users that helps forecast issues better.
In some cases, health emergencies have been uncovered through the data these devices generate before they occur.
The impact of wearables on healthcare has been so significant that insurance firms plan to cease selling traditional policies. Instead, these providers see a big opportunity by tracking patients and their data and offering more personalized policies.
2) Edge Computing
Edge computing computes and stores data near the device collecting the information instead of a distant, centralized location.
What makes edge computing so valuable is that it helps firms avoid issues associated with storing and outputting data. When you process the information locally, it shortens the turnaround time. That's because the amount of time required for the data to be analyzed in a cloud-based location reduces.
Ultimately, edge computing centers become mini data centers due to low latency. They can effectively process time-sensitive information without requiring connectivity. Edge computing innovations will bring critical gains for technologies that depend on the Internet of Things (IoT).
3) The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the emerging technology enabling devices to get connected to the internet. Furthermore, these devices can also connect to one another.
While such technology may seem novel, it has real-world implications. For example, IoT brings a higher level of precision in agriculture that can significantly buoy output. Using connected devices to monitor production, you can forecast prediction needs at a more granular level. This ensures inputs such as fertilizer and water are used to generate the highest production possible.
4) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Did you know that five out of six Americans today rely on artificial intelligence (AI) daily? That's no surprise given how AI has taken over functions previously carried on by humans and performed them more efficiently.
Some of these functions include using navigation maps and personal assistants on smartphones. The more these services learn, the more they grow. As a result, that feedback loop creates a virtuous circle that only portends more growth for AI use.
5) Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality (AR) is an innovation enabling you to add digital elements to real life by using visuals. Although AR's introduction to the general public has been through gaming, critical use cases signify its importance.
For example, healthcare professionals are using AR to reconstruct tumors in real-time. Doing so can help surgeons assess the impact of radiation on a particular case before performing the procedure.
Another everyday example is big-box retailers using AR to help sell products. When shoppers want to check out a product, they can use AR to see how it would look before buying it. That helps such businesses make a case for their products more compelling.
No matter how you slice it, AR will continue to offer more use cases that add convenience for users' value.
6) Voice Search
Many people nowadays begin their buying journey online with a search. Searching using text has become an entrenched part of life, but recently voice controlled assistants have risen in popularity.
Since many users tend to look up something while in the middle of another activity, using voice to search online is a natural extension. When users use voice search, it helps them use more conversational terms. These sound more natural and are easy to remember.
Due to this unparalleled convenience, many device makers incorporate voice search. You can find this technology in everything from smartphones to refrigerators, and eventually, it will become a standard.
7) Fifth Generation Network (5G)
The advent of 5G is quite exciting for many people as it potentially translates to higher broadband speeds for everyday use. But this technology goes beyond faster loading times.
The increase in speed and data volume will also impact other spheres. Devices that can connect on IoT will become more robust, unlocking new use cases and higher value.
Thus, your autonomous vehicle will gain better function due to faster data processing. The capacity to transmit more data will also trigger changes in how digital media content is delivered across networks.
8) Blockchain
When most people think of blockchain, they picture cryptocurrency. However, this technology goes beyond this application to offer the potential for fundamental changes in other areas.
In essence, blockchain refers to technology that enables you to add data to a public ledger, but you can't take it away. That 'chain' of data you create can't be altered or eliminated making it secure and robust.
The most immediate application for this technology is to support transactions that no longer require a third party for verification. Blockchain is still in its early days but have huge potential to disrupt the conventional ways of transactions.
9) Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has been around for a while, so you might disagree to see it as a breakthrough trend. However, each day new technology develops, with it new ways for malicious actors to breach security.
With that in mind, cybersecurity is continuously evolving at a breakneck pace. The technology used in offering this service is also changing and providing new use cases for security professionals.
10) Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
It's becoming increasingly common for businesses to use robotic process automation (RPA) to hand over jobs to machines. These are repetitive tasks that, when handed over, can release human workers to tackle more complex issues.
Expect this trend to keep up as firms pursue greater efficiency and productivity across the board.
Conclusion
Technology is fundamentally altering the way we live and conduct business. To stay ahead of the curve, we must continually explore the top 10 technology trends and figure out how they relate to our way of life. That way, we uncover critical advantages that can tap to increase productivity.
