As we enter 2024, the future technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, offering professionals a glimpse into remarkable innovations. Let’s explore the top 10 emerging technologies that promise to transform industries, complete with examples and illustrations of their real applications.
Top trending technologies to know in 2024:
1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Augmentation:
AI augmentation is the process of enhancing human capabilities with artificial intelligence, to improve decision-making, creativity, and productivity. For example, AI-powered virtual assistants like Google’s Duplex can schedule appointments, make reservations, and engage in natural conversations, freeing up time and resources for users. AI augmentation can also help professionals in various fields, such as healthcare, education, and finance, to analyze data, generate insights, and provide recommendations. Some examples of AI augmentation tools are IBM Watson, Salesforce Einstein, and Grammarly.
2) Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is the use of quantum physics to perform complex calculations at speeds that classical computers cannot match. Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in superposition of two states, allowing them to process multiple inputs and outputs simultaneously. Quantum computing has many potential applications, such as cryptography, where quantum-resistant algorithms are essential for protecting data from quantum threats. Another application is optimization, where quantum algorithms can find the best solutions for problems such as logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation. An in-person introduction to quantum computing is provided by IBM’s Quantum Experience, where users can access and program quantum devices online.
3) XR: Extended Reality:
Extended Reality (XR) is the term that encompasses all forms of immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). XR creates immersive experiences by blending digital and physical worlds, enhancing user perception and interaction. Microsoft’s HoloLens epitomizes MR by overlaying holographic images on the real world, offering applications in training, design, and remote collaboration. Other examples of XR applications are Pokemon GO, an AR game that lets users catch virtual creatures in their surroundings, Oculus Quest 2, a VR headset that offers a wireless and immersive gaming experience, and Magic Leap, a spatial computing platform that enables users to create and interact with digital content in their environment.
4) Blockchain Advancement:
Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that records transactions in a secure, transparent, and immutable way. Blockchain is evolving to address supply chain transparency in addition to cryptocurrencies. Blockchain can help track the provenance, quality, and safety of products from the farm to your plate, ensuring their authenticity and lowering the risk of contamination. Blockchain can also enable smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements that can automate transactions and enforce rules. Blockchain is used by IBM Food Trust to track food products across the supply chain, VeChain to verify the origin and quality of luxury goods, and Ethereum to power decentralized applications and platforms.
5) Edge Computing:
Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources, such as IoT devices or local edge servers. This proximity to data at its source can deliver strong business benefits, such as faster insights, improved response times, and better bandwidth availability. Edge computing can enable real-time data processing and analysis, creating the opportunity for deeper insights, faster actions, and improved customer experiences. Edge computing is already in use in various domains, such as autonomous vehicles, where real-time decision-making is essential for navigation, fleet management, where edge devices can collect and optimize vehicle data, and smart homes, where edge sensors and cameras can monitor and control home appliances. Some examples of edge computing solutions are AWS IoT Greengrass, Microsoft Azure IoT Edge, and Google Cloud IoT Edge.
6) 5G: A Revolution in Connectivity
5G is a new wireless technology that can enable remote surgery, which is a form of telemedicine that allows surgeons to operate on patients from a distance using robotic systems. 5G can provide high-speed, low-delay, and high-capacity connections, which can improve the responsiveness, accuracy, and efficiency of remote surgery. There have been some successful demonstrations of remote surgery using 5G around the world, but there are still many technical and ethical challenges to overcome before it becomes widely available and accessible.
7) Cybersecurity Mesh
Network security is the use of tools, techniques, and policies to protect computer networks from breaches. It involves multiple layers of defenses, such as access control, firewalls, encryption, and antivirus software, to guard against different types of threats. Network security also requires regular assessments, user training, and a well-defined security policy.
Some examples of network security breaches are:
- In 2016, a Japanese travel agency lost 7.93 million user records after an employee opened a malicious document that contained a trojan horse1.
- In 2019, doctors in China performed the world’s first remote brain surgery using 5G on a patient with Parkinson’s disease. The surgery was possible because of the low latency and high bandwidth of 5G, but it also exposed the risk of cyberattacks on critical medical devices2.
- In 2020, hackers stole confidential data from SolarWinds, a software company that provides network management tools to many government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. The hackers compromised the software update process and installed a backdoor that allowed them to access the networks of SolarWinds’ customers3.
These examples show the importance of network security and the challenges it faces in a data-driven world. Know more about Data Security and Protection services
8) Human Enhancement:
Human enhancement technologies improve human capabilities. They can be used for healthcare, education, entertainment, and other purposes. Some examples of human enhancement technologies are:
- Exoskeletons: These are wearable devices that support or augment the movement of the human body. For example, the EksoGT is an exoskeleton that helps patients with spinal cord injuries or strokes to walk again1.
- Brain-machine interfaces: These are devices that connect the human brain to external devices, such as computers, robots, or prosthetics. For example, Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk that aims to create a wireless brain-machine interface that can enable direct communication between the brain and the internet2.
- Virtual reality: This is a technology that creates a simulated environment that the user can interact with. For example, VR can be used for education, training, gaming, or tourism. VR can also create immersive experiences that enhance the user’s senses, such as smell, touch, or taste3.
- Augmented reality: This is a technology that overlays digital information or images on the user’s view of the real world. For example, AR can be used for navigation, shopping, entertainment, or education. AR can also enhance the user’s perception of reality, such as by adding sound, haptic feedback, or facial recognition4.
9) Green Tech and Sustainable IT:
Green tech and sustainable IT are the use of technology and science to create products and services that reduce environmental impacts. They can help save energy, reduce waste, limit pollution, and promote sustainability. Some examples of green tech and sustainable IT are:
- Energy efficient hardware and data centers: These are devices and systems that use less power and generate less heat, which can lower greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. For example, Google uses artificial intelligence to optimize the cooling of its data centers, saving 40% of energy1.
- Server virtualization: This is a technique that allows multiple virtual servers to run on a single physical server, which can reduce the need for hardware, space, and energy. For example, VMware, a leader in server virtualization, claims that its customers have avoided 540 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions since 20032.
- Monitoring systems: These are tools that measure and report the environmental performance of devices and systems, which can help identify and improve areas of inefficiency and waste. For example, Cisco’s EnergyWise is a software that monitors and controls the energy consumption of network devices, such as routers, switches, and phones3.
10) Smart Automation Unleashed: Real-World Impact
Smart automation, driven by RPA and AI, redefines workflows for maximum efficiency. Take UiPath, for example, leading the charge in automating mundane tasks like data entry, saving time and boosting accuracy.
Real-Life Examples:
- UiPath in Business Automation: Streamlining processes like invoice processing.
- Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: Enhancing customer service with instant responses.
- ABBYY FlexiCapture: Automating document processing for error-free workflows.
- Predictive Maintenance Algorithms: Anticipating machinery issues in manufacturing.
- Automation Anywhere in Finance: Automating data reconciliation for accuracy.
Key Benefits:
- Efficiency Gains: Freeing up time for strategic tasks.
- Error Reduction: Enhancing process accuracy.
- Cost Optimization: Streamlining operations for savings.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Quick responses in customer service.
Smart automation isn’t just a concept; it’s a game-changer, revolutionizing operations across industries with tangible benefits.
Conclusion
These technologies are at the cutting edge of innovation, and their real-world applications are influencing industries worldwide. As experts set out on learning these patterns, active encounters and reasonable applications will be vital to dominating the complexities of every innovation. An exciting period of exploration, innovation, and paradigm-shifting advancements is anticipated heading into 2024. Embrace the future – it’s a material hanging tight for your mechanical skill.
