As an expert in the field of futurology, it’s my responsibility to look ahead and pinpoint the most significant emerging trends in technology and business. But, the majority of these won’t become important until decades later. For more practical guidance and to help business executives decide what to do, I offer insight into the immediate future.
Biggest Technology Trends
Each year, I look ahead and discuss the most important tech trends for the upcoming year. They are those that companies have to be aware of today to remain in the game.
Let’s take a review of my top 10 top tech trends that everyone must be aware of.
AI Everywhere
Okay, I admit that it’s true that the AI trend has been around for some time, but if you’re an active participant in the development of technology, you might not realize how widespread AI is becoming. We employ intelligent algorithms each time we surf the internet or shop online and navigate when we travel, decide how we spend our time, manage our schedules, and complete various other mundane and creative tasks.
The excitement won’t be over anytime time soon. In the words of Google President Sundar Pichai, AI is stated as “more significant than fire or electricity” regarding its impact on the human species. The evolving ecosystem of non-code AI solutions and as-a-service platforms will keep making it easier to access. With the technology infrastructure and (to some degree) budgets no longer an obstacle to entry, anyone with great ideas can develop new AI-enhanced products and services that make life easier or better our lives.
A major focus of AI activities in 2023 will be the enhancement of the workforce. While AI is bound to result in the loss of certain types of jobs for humans and new ones will be created to take their place. Employers who are proactive and forward-thinking are increasingly thinking about how to navigate the new landscape by empowering employees to maximize the benefits of the latest tools accessible to them.
Another fascinating field to watch is the field of synthetic content. This is the process of harnessing the artistic capabilities of AI to create entirely new music, images or other information that has previously been unimaginable. Like a human when they paint or write a piece of music. Natural language algorithms allow computers to recognize and recreate human-like language interactions. This means that I could have my avatar answer questions or give a speech in my voice without having to say the words. The same technology is behind the well-known Tom Cruise deep fakes, and the Metaphysic show amazed viewers on America’s Got Talent this year. In 2023, we’re expected to see an increase in applying this kind of generative AI across business and entertainment.
The Future Internet (Metaverse)
At the moment, I think the most appropriate definition that could be applied to the metaverse concept is “an enhanced digital world. “This may sound fuzzy, but nobody is sure what the most immersive online environments and the next level of user experiences will look like in five to ten years. Mark Zuckerberg believes it will be all about virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), and the creators of web3-based platforms such as Decentraland and The Sandbox think it will also involve blockchains and decentralization. The concepts are not incompatible, and there’s no reason to believe that the internet of the future won’t be open and focused on immersive with 3D content. However, with various ideas being discussed in the debate over the metaverse concept, It’s not surprising that some people in 2022 became confused.
Since Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the metaverse craze in the latter half of 2021, all major companies, including fashion, banking, entertainment, entertainment, and video gaming, have joined the bandwagon. Most of them have done this by utilizing the existing platforms geared towards metaverses, such as Decentraland, Roblox, or The Sandbox, to establish their first metaverse “outposts. “They’re hoping to reach out to the initial group of metaverse early adopter users (primarily believed to be of generation Z) and show their coolness by taking part in the beginning phases of the “next big thing. “Clothing retailers Forever 21, for example, will probably not be able to make a profit or make a significant improvement in the experience of its regular customers’ thanks to the presence it has launched on Roblox. The goal is to grasp the potential and possibilities, test the available technology, and prove to its shareholders and the community of tech – that it is capable of quickly taking advantage of new trends.
In 2023, this outpost building and piloting will gradually become more popular with smaller businesses and global companies already involved; the entire process will begin to blend to produce seamless items and services. They’ll be targeted for general consumption rather than solely to attract technophiles or early adopters.
We’ll also realize that the metaverse can be described as mobile and post-mobile. We’ll continue to connect with it wherever we are, and from any device we prefer. However, the default will not always be the smartphone. Innovative ways to use, access and engage with content include intelligent glasses, headsets, and whole body haptic feedback suits. These (among other things) will determine the possibilities that will be created. Companies who want to ensure they’re not left behind in the next version of the internet have to consider two issues: How can they use these opportunities to create services and services that provide more engaging and enjoyable experiences? What can they do to use the new tools and platforms that are becoming available to enhance their internal processes and make them more efficient and engaging? This could involve building capacities to collaborate remotely, training, onboarding and managing projects.
A Digitally Editable World
The ability to constantly improve our digital capabilities to recreate any physical world is why the metaverse is viable (or necessary) initially. However, this concept goes much further beyond providing immersive online experiences. Today we can alter objects within our digital environment in a manner that affects our experience in the real world. Consider Digital twins; for instance, race teams from Formula 1 create digital twins of their race cars and use their digital environment to evaluate the vehicle using virtual wind tunnels and digital simulations. This lets them alter parts of the vehicle in the digital world until they have optimized before 3D printing these elements for the actual world vehicle.
There are similar capabilities to modify or program actual nanotechnology materials. By manipulating the characteristics and compositions of materials on a nano-scale, it is possible to provide new attributes to materials like self-healing coatings and clothes that repel water or even create entirely new materials like graphene, which is the thinnest and strong material that is known to exist.
The most awe-inspiring aspect of the editable universe is the ability to alter living organisms, such as animals, plants or human beings, by altering the genetic information that is responsible for the growth and function of these organisms. Initiatives like The Human Genome Project have enabled us to develop digital representations of complete DNA strands. In addition, innovative techniques like using the CRISPR Cas9 gene editing method enable us to alter the genetic and DNA structure of living organisms.
This technology offers many possibilities that are nearly endless because every characteristic of an organism that is passed down could theoretically be altered. Children can be made immune from illnesses that their parents are vulnerable to, crops could be developed that are immune to disease and pests and the medicines can be adapted to individual patients in accordance with their genetic makeup.
Re-architecting Trust With Blockchain
Traditionally, the processes of creating trust between two people online are done via the middleman. Companies and banks such as Paypal check our identification and are guarantors whenever we make payments to family members or friends. Payer verification and prevention of fraud services allow us to be confident that it’s safe for companies to keep and process financial data. Being all centralized systems implies that we may be in trouble if the businesses that provide these services fail to handle effectively or keep our best interests with our best interests in mind.
The issues surrounding trust in 2023 will center around the idea of decentralization. This refers to the removal of the control of an organization or company from a single point of ownership with decentralized networks based on the concept of consensus and encryption. These are the fundamental elements of blockchain technology, which is really storage of files or running software that is distributed across multiple computers and aren’t influenced by anyone who’s not allowed to.
Energy giant Shell for instance has unveiled an initiative based on trust that utilizes blockchain to guarantee the authenticity of renewable energy that is incorporated into its grid. The drinks maker William Grant and Son attached decentralized digital tokens (NFTs) to the expensive whisky bottles made by its Glenfiddich whisky, which it sold to collectors. This allows the authenticity of the whisky when they are sold again.
Decentralization will open up new methods of transacting, communicating, and conducting business, and not only for humans. Machines will also benefit from the capability to perform secure transactions between themselves, which will allow us to further automatize elements of industry and business which require multiple interfacing systems.
The business world is betting on blockchain technologies to trigger an evolution in our relationship to the idea of digital ownership. It could also fuel an increase in consumer spending through the process. Already, blockchain technology is being used by many brands, such as Prada and Balenciaga, which allow customers to “prove” that they own authentic digital versions of expensive products that are displayed online. If the metaverse is a sign that we are spending a greater quantity of time (and money) online, it’s certain that there will be those who want items that are unique or exclusive to them and will be in a position to prove ownership and authenticity.
In the end, this is the idea of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). It is an entity which could be a corporation or nonprofit, service provider, or community group that is managed by software and rules embedded on the blockchain. Every decision is made through consensus, which usually means the stakeholder’s vote. The outcomes from the voting are carried out through smart contracts (blockchain software) which can perform everything from making payment, to changing the management structure, applying new rules and regulations or even changing the name of the company.
The Hyper-Connected, Intelligent World
This trend literally connects the other trends together. It’s the internet of connected sensors, equipment, devices, and infrastructure that collects the information we require to create the metaverse, build digital twins, develop smart machines and create new methods of enabling digital trust. This is what’s known by”the Internet of Things (IoT) and its effects on our lives are expected to be felt throughout 2023.
The emphasis will keep growing on making more efficient and sophisticated machine-to-machine interaction. We are familiar with having our homes stocked with smart appliances and gadgets as well as our workplaces with intelligent devices and applications. However, we frequently face issues when computers are having trouble communicating due to the different operating systems and platforms. In 2023, we’ll continue to work on the creation of international standard protocols and standards that machines could communicate with one and each other. This will allow them to perform better and help us in a greater variety of tasks.
Another area to be considered is IoT security. Though connected technology can enhance our lives in a variety of different ways, they can also pose security threats. Every device connected to a network can be a potential access point for an attacker to be able to access the system or even compromise the information stored on it. Enhancing security capabilities to stop the attacks will be the top priority for organizations who are investing in IoT and will include the use of AI-assisted predictive tools.
5G and, in the near future 6G services don’t only be a way for devices to communicate faster than before. They will also allow more devices will be connected, and communications between them could be “sliced” – placed into distinct channels that operate as an independent entity and will not be interrupted by anything else taking place within the networks. This means more secure devices that can be connected to be used in crucial procedures like robotic surgery.
Regarding healthcare 2023 is also predicted to be a great year for the creation of products and services designed to assist us in maintaining our health and wellbeing. With covid-19 remaining a major issue all over the world, and the constant danger of more pandemics as well as the relaxation of the lockdown laws increasing numbers of us are looking to technology to keep healthy and fit. We are also turning to smart devices to keep track of our health. The newer versions of the Apple Watch include sophisticated sensors capable of assessing the levels of blood oxygen and temperature and also performing procedures such as making ECGs (ECG). The previous hardware capable of performing these tests was priced at tens of millions of dollars. This year, we’re anticipating the results of Google’s purchase of Fitbit that will include fitness trackers and smartwatches with higher-end features.
Bonus Trend: Sustainable Tech
In addition to the five trends mentioned above, there’s one additional trend in tech that is non-negotiable which will be pushed further into the spotlight by 2023. We must ensure that our technology is sustainable for the environment. In the case of some computing-intensive and data-driven technologies, environmental impacts are often hidden within cloud-based data centres that businesses who are using these technologies are not able to be able to see or even have access to. Investors and customers are seeking green credentials, and we’ll witness more of this by 2023. Blockchain technology and data centers must be more sustainable, and companies must make sure they don’t use up valuable resources in storing data that they don’t require and running algorithms that don’t provide value.
