Regardless of personal opinions, revolutionary technological trends rapidly evolve, introducing discoveries and groundbreaking ideas annually. Today’s most brilliant minds are working on the next technology that will significantly transform our lives. Although scientific advancements can be steady, technological progress has seen a significant increase over the past 50 years.
The recent happenings seem like they were taken straight from a science fiction book. Robots that can read minds, AI with the ability to create images, holograms, and bionic eyes are just some of the technological advancements that are truly amazing and mind-blowing.
Here are the top 10 revolutionary technology trends that are expected to emerge within the next five years.
1. Pervasive computing
The concept of ubiquitous computing involves integrating computers into almost every aspect of our lives to enhance their functionality, rather than treating them as separate devices that can be used for various purposes.
- Trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, cloud computing, and edge computing all align with this idea.
To achieve more than what is possible with each of these technologies individually, ubiquitous computing requires the development of IT strategies that leverage all of them in unison.
Cisco predicts that by 2030, there will be 500 billion internet-connected devices, or 50 devices per person, due to the integration of AI and cognitive computing capabilities. This will result in a continuous flow of data and insights that will have a significant impact on various aspects of our lives.
2. The Datafication of the World and the Internet of Behaviors
In 2021, global data production surpassed 79 zettabytes and is projected to reach 181 zettabytes within the next five years. While some argue that this leads to the loss of billions of person-hours, others believe that data is a crucial enabler that drives most digital innovations.
Since Gote Nyman coined the term in 2012, making sense of this massive amount of data and determining its value through analytics and big data techniques has become known as the “Internet of Behaviors” (IOB).
Companies can leverage both machine- and human-generated data (derived from the Internet of Things and other sources) to enhance their customer experience by providing tailored products and services.
3. A connected and intelligent world
You may already be familiar with the Internet of Things (IoT) due to devices like smart thermostats, smart watches, and smart TVs.
- IoT refers to the increasing number of intelligent, connected devices that can collect and transmit data.
In the future, most of the things will be connected. Not only do companies require tools and products, but the environments in which we live and work will also become more intelligent.
This includes smart cities that can monitor and take action in response to what is happening around them. From networked factories and offices to entire cities, our environments will become increasingly capable of monitoring and responding to events.
4. AI photo creation
As AI technology advances and becomes capable of performing tasks at a human level, a new field of endeavor has emerged – the creative arts. Software developed by OpenAI researchers enables the creation of visuals by simply providing vocal instructions.
- For instance, you can say “A dog wearing a cowboy hat singing in the rain” and the software will generate numerous unique images that match the description.
Even though the way the response is presented is up to you, there were some issues with the technology when we gave it incorrect instructions for creating cartoon images. However, the developers are currently working on the second generation and have more improvements in the works.
In the future, this technology could enable the creation of art exhibitions, and quick and innovative visuals for commercial purposes, and significantly transform the way memes are produced online.
5. The trend of machine learning and artificial intelligence is still prevalent
The process of datafication is closely associated with the terms Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), which are currently at the forefront of corporate interest. The significance of this technology trend for businesses is expected to grow at an unprecedented rate. However, as AI and ML continue to develop, they will face increasingly complex applications in the future.
- The use of AI and ML is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade, with advancements in language processing, speech and gesture recognition, machine vision, pattern recognition, embedded artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML), real-time AI, AIOps, MLOps, and other related technologies.
- This growth will impact various industries such as healthcare, transportation and logistics, industrial automation, cybersecurity, and government.
- Three of the most exciting advancements in AI research are Generative AI, Edge Computing, and Real-World AI.
6. Additional Reality
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two separate technologies that come under the extended reality (XR) umbrella, but they all serve the same purpose of enhancing communication between the physical and digital worlds we inhabit.
- With virtual reality, we can navigate virtual environments using our hands, eyes, ears, and sometimes even our legs.
Augmented reality (AR) allows us to superimpose digital information onto our physical environment, merging the advantages of the digital world with the tangibility of the real world. As time goes on, both AR and virtual reality (VR) will become increasingly significant in our lives.
- The military already employs AR and VR technologies for training and simulation, such as bomb disposal specialists practicing in real-world settings with simulated explosives.
The Teslasuit is a full-body VR suit utilized by NASA for astronaut training that provides haptic feedback. The market for VR equipment in the business sector is expected to grow from $829 million in 2018 to $4.26 billion by 2023, with usage rapidly expanding into more common and everyday areas of the industry.
7. 3D modeling
3D-printed houses can be built in as little as 24 hours, while the more controversial 3D-printed weapons are untraceable. 3D food printers can build complete meals from crushed components that have been put into capsules.
- What is possible with “additive manufacturing” — new manufacturing processes — is just beginning.
Experiments have shown that 3D-printed living tissue can be successfully implanted into animals for medical research purposes. Once implanted, the new blood vessels and tissue produce new organs for 3D-printed transplant into patients. The technology has also sparked speculation that it may lead to new therapies for infertility, with an experiment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in which 3D-printed ovaries were implanted into mice.
3D-printed cars will benefit the environment by reducing the carbon emissions generated by the transportation of new vehicles around the world between manufacturers and distributors. An electric tricycle can be made entirely out of waste materials.
8. Edge computing
From a technical point of view, we predict that edge computing and distributed computing, two distinct yet interdependent technologies, will come closer together in the next couple of years.
The industrial internet is growing in terms of microchip processing power as well as utilization of the internet as a whole. As a result, the size of microchips is getting smaller and smaller, which opens up new opportunities for distributed computing’s edge computing as well as hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud infrastructures.
There are many advantages to distributed computing over edge computing, such as:
- Data confidentiality and privacy
- Reduced power and bandwidth
- Processing and decision-making in near real-time
Edge computing would provide a practical solution to reduce the volume of data transported but still achieve effective results in a future of hyper-automation and linked everything.
9. Quantum computation
Many market watchers, futurists, and technocrats predict that the next generation of computing will answer questions that have baffled society and scientists for many years.
The next big thing in computing will be far more powerful than anything we have seen before, and it will be able to perform tasks that conventional computers have long been thought to be unable to do.
In the coming years, businesses using quantum computers will enjoy unprecedented opportunities, especially in first-wave industries such as transportation and logistics, energy, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.
10. Software
We are transitioning to low-code or “no-code” programming. It will work in two ways.
- First, machine learning and neural networks will write the code to build new software or graphic programming interfaces (PGIs).
- Simple modal windows and drag-and-drops will make it possible to build complex applications (including AI apps). It will make things easier, and nobody will be limited by coding skills!
Enterprises will benefit from faster scalability, increased adoption of data-driven AI applications, reduced development costs, and a faster rate of significant digital transformation.