Every year showcases a new round of trends that stretch to cover all walks of life. This year is no different with new trends infiltrating the field of technology. Last year proved to be a year of intelligence that exhibited trends such as the growth of virtual reality, automation, smart home tech, and a lot more.
As the present year unfolds, not only is the tech horizon introducing new trends but also encouraging the advancement of the past ones. For instance, machine learning is anticipated to make progress in 2018.
Here is an in-depth look at the top six trends that will broaden the tech horizon in the present year:
- Artificial intelligence will gain stronger hold
In the current year, artificial intelligence is forecasted to grow by leaps and bounds. It is expected to play a fundamental role in the fields of healthcare, automotive industry, and business. Most of all, mature businesses are anticipated to adopt AI in their strategy. Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Netflix are already harnessing the potential of AI. Small and medium-sized businesses will be replicating the same.
Statistics confirm these predictions. At present, 15% of the organizations use AI. However, this number is forecasted to jump to 31% in the coming months, which is almost a double leap. The approach to artificial intelligence among businesses is also warm, as 72% consider its use a “business advantage.”
- App development will continue to grow
The app ecosystem turns ten this year, but its growth is nowhere near stagnant. In fact, app development will be going great guns in the present year. These smartphone applications will extend to cover various categories. It will continue its reign in the gaming apps section as well as non-gaming apps such as applications that provide Drone Video Help.
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Essentially, the numbers will rise as the markers of smartphone users aren’t about to go down. Furthermore, the latest App Annie report highlights that people are devoting more time to apps than ever before. It reveals that folks use 30 plus apps monthly and an average of nine apps daily.
Innovative apps will join the league. On top of it, AI-infused apps will continue to bloom in the market. The Uber app serves as an example in this case. The smart app taps into the potential of AI run automated reasoning. It allows the app to suggest shortest distances to the destination where the rider is headed. In this way, the app assists in decision making.
- Blockchain technology will grow
Blockchain is the latest buzzword that has mainly swamped the financial sector. However, this revolutionary technology is anticipated to expand to other industries in the present year. Some of these areas include healthcare, manufacturing, government, and more. Blockchain exhibits impressive prospects in digital transactions, which will facilitate fresh business opportunities too.
By way of its design, the blockchain tech is resistant to alteration, which makes it difficult to hack transactions. This enhances the credibility of a system that is based on this tech. On top of it, such a credibility encourages the growth of this technology. Moreover, blockchain tech offers new insights that will help protect against copyright infringement. For example, an online startup, Edge, is using blockchain tech to redefine cybersecurity.
- Deeper learning will deepen
Although deep learning is facing some challenges yet it is forecasted to grow in this year and coming years. Hardware innovations such as the development of new GPUs are helping in accelerating the growth of deep learning. Furthermore, firms are comprehending the significance of data collection and its positive influence on business efficacy.
A Senior Information Scientist at the GE Research, Marc Edgar, summarizes the deep learning trend. He says, “2018 will be the year deep learning starts a revolution in engineering simulation and design. Over the next three to five years, deep learning will accelerate product development from years to months and weeks to days to create a new paradigm of rapid innovation in product features, performance and cost.” Additionally, the present year will witness the creation of new methods for data collection and use, which will reduce costs
- Advanced robotics
Another tech trend that will bless 2018 is the significant progress in robotics. Robots will not be limited to the factory floor only. They won’t be replacing the human workforce, but they will promote the deployment of smarter labor. Such labor will take on backbreaking, and repetitive works. Robots will also cover tasks that carry more risks. Over and above that, robots will amp up logistical efficiency.
The increased employment of robots is also evident by the number of robot shipments made. Statista outlines that 294,000 units were sold in 2016. These were up from 159,000 units shipped in 2012. Tremendous growth is waiting in the wings though with HSBC estimating the robot population to multiply to 414,000 by 2019.
- Virtual reality will rise
Long ago, virtual reality dominated the gaming sphere. However, it has now sprouted deeper roots that have grown into different fields like tourism, education, healthcare, and retail stores to name a few. Take Thomas Cook for instance. It is the biggest tour operator in Europe, and it uses VR headsets to show customers how some vacation destinations would be like.
In 2018, VR is geared to head toward the zenith as it will generate authentic sounds, images, and sensations. Firms are also increasingly employing immersive tech to lessen training costs. Numerical predictions also back this trend with the number of active VR users estimated to reach 171 million in 2018.
Key takeaway
Briefly, the present year will bear witness to exciting technological advancements. The use of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning will expand. Apps will continue to burst forth. Plus, numbers of the robot population will not only mushroom, but robots will become more mainstream. Lastly, the blockchain technology will open up windows to new opportunities including stronger cybersecurity measures.
