Reading time:
Next year, Elon Musk plans on creating a system of high-speed transport tunnels throughout the US as well as solar roofs generating energy. Companies around the world are developing flying cars and are almost ready to start sales in the next few months. Incredible plans, right? This can quickly become overwhelming to think about so let’s narrow our focus and take a closer look at the top IT trends that will define 2021.
People spend more on technologies: they become more significant for us each year.
Source: International Data Corporation
Artificial Intelligence
According to ReportCrux Market Research, the revenue from AI-powered IoT products will be around $15.72 billion by 2028. AI solutions have the potential to transform areas as diverse and critical as healthcare, economics, education, science, and even art. The e-commerce industry will also continue to grow in 2021. Large sellers and retailers will implement the technologies of visual and sound search. This will enhance user experience and customer satisfaction. Moreover, manufacturers will understand their clients much better than they currently do. AI will give them more accurate information about customer preferences and allow them to predict demand. This will allow them to offer people the right products at the most favorable price, which will result in an increase in sales. This is a win-win situation: buyers will satisfy all their needs, and sellers will get closer to the target audience.
Another notable trend is generative artificial intelligence which absorbs information from different sources. Based on this information, generative AI creates new content such as music, images, videos, and even code. Despite being a new technology, generative AI is starting to deliver its benefits for businesses: it quickly analyzes numerous complex factors and learns without external assistance. For instance, generative AI has been used to design limb prostheses models for 3D printers and DNA molecules for genetic engineering tasks. Soon this technology will help people not only develop flawless apps but also create splendid pieces of art and make scientific discoveries.
Digital first
Digital transformation has been around for quite some time, but the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this process. According to Gartner forecasts, in 2021, 25 billion devices will be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). This will significantly affect the concept of digital first: each business has to be expanded in the digital environment. Digital products make the interaction between businesses and customers more convenient. Apps allow people to buy food from malls across town or purchase designer clothing from abroad in just a few taps. This also applies to automated delivery, online learning, and remote work. However, there are some drawbacks, such as a lack of live contact or the potentially low quality of products. Thus, traditional ways of interaction are still relevant.
Over the past year, we have fully experienced the convenience of remote communications. The Internet makes it easy to get whatever you want, be it entertainment, groceries, or news. This generates demand for IT services because businesses need effective solutions to interact with their clients. This is why we can expect numerous digital products to appear in 2021. On the one hand, this will result in a challenging battle for the audience’s attention. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity to create something disruptive and win loyal customers.
Cybersecurity
Electronic devices access our phone numbers, addresses, bank cards, and other personal information. The data security platform Varonis states that hackers attack people worldwide every 39 seconds. Thus, cybersecurity is an increasingly important issue. As a consequence, people find it harder to trust suppliers of goods and services. They doubt purchases and either refuse to contact the sellers or check their reliability by all means, which complicates the communication.
The shift to remote working has impacted cybersecurity as well. Remote access creates security gaps that facilitate access to personal and corporate information for intruders. This means that organizations should rapidly shore up their defenses. To help mitigate potential risks, they should deploy multi-factor authentication to ensure their remote workforce is secure. As MFA and other security measures continue advancing, software products will become more safe and reliable.
Robotics
The volume of the industrial robotics world market is expected to grow to $73 billion by 2023. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology helps reduce costs and improve the efficiency of routine processes. A vivid example developed by our company is iFarm. The drones used in this project have two main tasks: delivering goods to customers and monitoring complex objects such as vertical farms.
Robots have become more common: people use them in construction, logistics, real estate, surveying, and security. These reliable automated assistants can now perform difficult and dangerous actions in our place. For example, guards spend a lot of time and effort on a factory bypass. They may accidentally push or step on something, causing harm to themselves or the equipment. This task can instead be completed by programmable drones that fly around the same building much faster and more safely. Robots can also work in high altitudes and underwater, which is safer and costs less than sending people to the same places.
BioTech/MedTech
According to the portal SeedScientific, the expected revenue of the BioTech industry in 2020 is $108.2 billion. The development of this technological area can cause a breakthrough that will truly change the way we live. People will be able to feed a booming population without harming the planet. Developing new vaccines and drugs with the use of new technologies will also become cheaper and more efficient. Drones, programs, and apps will relieve people of such complex tasks as compiling medical manuals, doing chemical experiments, raising animals, and even performing surgeries.
Trends related to AI and robotization will make BioTech and MedTech flourish. Undoubtedly, some tasks will still require human intervention. These include the accurate interpretation of medical examination results and the training of animals. However, we should still entrust both routine and non-standard tasks to technologies. Next year, there will be more opportunities for this.
Internet of behavior (IoB)
This field is related to artificial intelligence, our big brother who is always watching us. Gartner states that 40% of the Earth’s population will be constantly surveilled by their devices by 2023. Search engines, voice assistants, instant messengers, and voice recorders are absorbing what you write and say all the time. Your location is no secret either. Neural networks study you, understand your needs, and decide on the content to present to you.
This intimidating aspect of technology and progress makes us hide behind one of the previous trends: cybersecurity. Nevertheless, the development of these technologies increases their benefits to people. Even the high quality of ads makes users buy the goods that coincide with their primary needs. The development of AI within the next year will cause a breakthrough in IoB. Computers will know people better, so our interactions with technology will become more productive and beneficial.
Conclusion
The technological advancement and challenges of 2021 are unpredictable. Nevertheless, we are already in the position where we can make breathtaking things. Sure, we still have a long way to cyborgs and travel to other planets, but perhaps not as long as we think… What we know for sure is that we are ready to help you with your mind-blowing futuristic projects. Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@azoft.com with any questions and requests.
Comments