People headed into 2020 with a sense that it was going to be a milestone year in technology. With data and computing power growing at a rate higher than ever before, technological innovations are poised to pervade further into global economies. These emerging tech trends likely to begin defining technology for the next decade and establishing a new normal in leadership and IT.
Multi-Device Experience
The emergence of mobile app-based services in the previous decade has spawned greater opportunities for businesses. Companies in 2020 will use this virtual environment to unify customer experiences across devices. App-developers will design applications that seamlessly and consistently connect all touch points – from web and mobile devices to wearable and conversational virtual assistants.
Biometric Payment Systems
Biometric two-factor authentication with facial recognition is emerging as the next trend in smart payment technologies. First introduced in Chinese banking and public transit systems, biometric technology is now reaching global users through Apple Pay and Android Pay. Soon, online shopping customers will be greeted with a “scan face” option to open a payment gateway.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing goes beyond traditional chip-based computing and employs quantum physics for operation. Beginning this year, we will see the technology solving a variety of complex real-world problems. Presently, quantum computing technology is being explored in business to solve specific problems pertaining to machine learning, chemistry, and financial services.
5G
As 5G enters the mainstream, a new generation of supporting devices will roll out and flood the market. But beyond the consumer space, it will give a boost to the larger infrastructure related to smart factories, supply chains and, ultimately, enable smart cities. Product manufacturing companies will be conforming to the trend and launching connected products, from HVAC to vehicles.
Energy-Efficient AI
According to Nature, data centers have been using about 200 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in a year, more than the total energy consumption of Iran. With the rising demand for data-intensive computing for AI, data centers will be consuming more electricity than ever before. To minimize this, technologists are exploring energy efficient computing alternatives, such as the approximate computing approach for AI. Research shows that the approach can deliver accuracy while reducing the energy consumed by four-fold.
