The earth is moving at 1000 miles per hour, and the technology on it is definitely keeping up. In fact, “keeping up” might be an understatement. Technology trends are developing so fast that it becomes difficult to stay up to date. In this digital era, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s crucial to be aware and maybe even use the new technology to your advantage. Why? Tech innovations are continuously changing our lives, creating new career paths and growth opportunities.
Individuals should keep an eye out for any future skills they may need to develop. As for businesses, the new technological advancements will open new doors for development.
So, what should you look out for? Here are the top 10 technology trends in 2023.
1. 5G
5G is the 5th generation of wireless network technology, following 4G. It was deployed in 2020, and it’s faster and better than its predecessors. Although you will need a new phone that will support technology trends like 5G, it’ll give you a wide range of possibilities. So, what’s the difference between 4G and 5G?
- Speed: 5G has a phenomenal speed of 200-400mbps as opposed to the 25mbps of 4G. This is the most important innovation in 5G. It won’t only load webpages faster, but this new technology means faster downloads and uploads, more opportunities for data processing and transfers.
- Latency: Latency is the delay you get between sending and receiving information. With 5G, the latency can go down to even 1 millisecond. In contrast, 4G has a latency of 20-30 milliseconds.
- Bandwidth: 5G will have much greater bandwidth, which will give higher download speeds (up to 10 gbps) and allow for more connected devices.
Since 5G is so new, different reports indicate different speeds. Overall, 5G is over 10 times faster than 4G. This new technology means that you can download movies or complete seasons of TV shows in just a couple of seconds.
This revolution in cellular technology will power the rise of VR technology and live streams, as well as aid in the development of IoT in our daily lives. We can also start thinking about smart cities, higher connectivity, automobiles connected to the same network, resulting in almost no accidents.
5G may not change the life of an average smartphone user, but it’ll allow companies to save millions with wireless machinery connections, real-time access to big data, and more.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
When you think of technology trends, Artificial Intelligence definitely comes to mind. It has been around for a couple of years already, and it’s still one of the biggest technology advancements. You can’t help but talk about it because it is changing the way we live, do our work, and enjoy entertainment. So, what is Artificial Intelligence, and why is it so important?
Artificial Intelligence is a genius system, allowing machines to think and perform such tasks that would normally be done by a human. They are powered by Machine Learning (ML) or deep learning, giving them the ability to mimic or repeat human intelligence. In other words, AI is a set of algorithms that help it “learn,” and ML is one of those powerful algorithms.
AI can be broken down into two categories – Narrow / “Weak” AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Narrow AI is what we see all around us, in our smartphones and other smart devices. Here are some examples of narrow AI:
- Google search suggestions
- Virtual personal assistants like Siri or Alexa
- Cars that drive autonomously
- Image or voice recognition software
Narrow AI is a current technology that focuses on completing specific tasks. On the other hand, AGI ultimately aims to create machines that would be up for any task, similar to a human’s intelligence. We’ve seen this in movies like Iron Man, where Jarvis was Tony Stark’s personal assistant, capable of virtually anything.
AI is used in essentially all fields. You can see how companies use it in online shopping and advertising, creating self-driving cars, making your devices smarter, and much more. It is even used in health, cybersecurity, transportation, etc. So, let’s wait and see how one of the biggest technology trends unfolds.
AI is used in essentially all fields. You can see how companies use it in online shopping and advertising, creating self-driving cars, making your devices smarter, and much more. It is even used in health, cybersecurity, transportation, etc. So, let’s wait and see how one of the biggest technology trends unfolds.
Further information
3. Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR)
VR and AR are some of the most entertaining technology trends of 2023. Virtual Reality simulates a different environment, virtually putting you in another dimension. As opposed to other entertainment interfaces like flat screens, VR puts the individual in a 3D world.
You get a custom headset / Head Mounted Display (HMD) that gives you a 360-degree vision. Headsets like the Oculus Rift by Facebook, Playstation VR by Sony, and Vive by HTC are bestsellers. But VR doesn’t only simulate the sight. It uses sounds, touch, sometimes also smells to convey a real-life experience.
As opposed to creating a new reality, Augmented Reality simply enhances the reality that you see. Through AR, visual elements are added to whatever you can already see. Instead of headsets, AR can be used through smartphones, smart glasses, or devices like the Microsoft HoloLens to enhance your visual experience. You’ve definitely heard of the popular game Pokemon Go, where pokemons are living in your environment but can only be seen through your smartphone.
So, what are these new technology trends used for? Essentially, VR and AR can be used in any visual experience. The widest use for these types of technology has been found in games. New games are under development solely for VR and AR use, while other games are building versions to be compatible with them. Imagine playing a game with your actual person, and you’ll understand why this has become such a technology trend.
Games are not the only simulation that you can get immersed in. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have also found their place in data visualization, architecture, weather modeling, and so on. Not surprisingly, AR and VR are used in training for the military, medicine, aviation, and much more. These hot technologies even have uses in treating mental illnesses.
These technological advancements have created a market that is set to reach $296.9 billion by 2024. Are you excited about VR and AR yet? This is a game-changing tech trend that’ll create various work opportunities, so look out for it.
4. Blockchain
You’ve surely heard of this complicated current technology called blockchain. So, what does it really mean, and how is it going to change the future? To put it simply, blockchain is a type of database that stores information in blocks that are chained together. That’s why it’s called blockchain. Each new piece of information coming in is stored on a new block that’s chained to the last piece of the big chain. This new technology offers security and transparency for storing data.
Now, surely you’ve heard the terms bitcoin and blockchain together. How are they connected? The most common type of data stored in blockchain is a transactions ledger. In other words, the monetary transfers are recorded and stored on the blocks of blockchain. Blockchain is also a decentralized network, meaning that nobody owns it. Thus, anyone can view it through a blockchain explorer. Plus, information on a chain can not be edited. The security and transparency of blockchain are what make it perfect for storing bitcoin transaction information.
Aside from transparency and decentralization, here’s what makes blockchain secure. Each block is created chronologically after the last one. They each also contain a unique hash code, the hash code of the previous block, as well as a timestamp. If any information in the block is altered, the hash code changes accordingly. This would create a misalignment in the order of hash codes, thus alerting network members about the issue. So, any attempts to alter the information contained in blocks of blockchain wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Nevertheless, blockchain is not only being used to record ledger transactions. In fact, this new technology trend is a gamechanger in many fields. For example, using blockchain in digital democratic election voting to prevent fraud. Other than voting, blockchain can be used in many fields, including but not limited to:
- Digital IDs
- Copyright protection
- Real estate or other asset title transfers
- Tax regulations
- Storing medical records
- Tracking weapons
5. Human Augmentation
Human Augmentation, as the name would suggest, is an umbrella term for all types of technology that enhance the human capabilities. These technology trends are used to augment either the body (physical capabilities) or the mind (cognitive capabilities). So, let’s dive right into it. Here are the types of technology trends in Human Augmentation:
Replacements
First, here’s a common current technology that you may see every day. This is the use of new technological advancements to replace body parts with prostheses or implants. Since these types of technology have been around for a while, they’ve reached an amazing level of development. Today’s technologies can even create prostheses that connect to the nervous system and are said to give the same abilities and senses as a real body part would.
Exoskeletons
Exoskeletons are machines that connect to your body and provide physical support. They resemble external skeletons or pieces of armor. They are powered by a battery and have sensors that detect your movement. When a movement is detected, the machine provides support for that movement. This is commonly used for manual workers whose job requires them to hold up their arms for a long time (e.g., automobile mechanics).
Improvements
The third type is a technology that improves your senses. Examples of such human augmentation technology include smart glasses, smart contact lenses, or super gloves that make you stronger. An exciting tech trend is also the use of AI by workers. For example, an Uber driver using Google Maps or a writer using translation software.
Collaborations between humans and machines
Last but not least, here’s a part of human augmentation that focuses on communication between humans and machines through brain waves. In the far future, companies are aiming to translate brain waves into being able to wirelessly control machines. This new technology will also allow paralyzed humans to communicate with the world.
6. Edge Computing
The number of companies that use cloud solutions to store or process their data has been rapidly growing for a long while. As these companies and the amount of data continues to grow, data organizations are starting to struggle. Thus, edge computing is taking over cloud computing.
Edge computing allows data to be processed “on the edge,” thus improving the latency of transferring data to datacenters. This decentralizes the process, allowing for time-sensitive data to be processed faster. They act like small databases that are much closer than any centralized location.
So, what does this mean for those who are looking to learn a skill that’ll be useful for such technology trends? You can look forward to more job openings with titles like “Cloud Reliability Engineers,” “Cloud & Security Architects,” or “DevOps Cloud Engineers.”
Edge computing is also going to have an amazing impact on Internet of Things (IoT). The market for this new technology called edge computing is projected to reach about $6.72 billion by 2022. In collaboration with IoT, technology trends like this are bound to revolutionize the way we live.
7. Autonomous Cars
Surely you’ve heard of cars that drive on their own, right? Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Alphabet are pioneers in the field. Aside from making your life easier, this new technology has way more to offer. Imagine sitting in an Uber with no driver. It makes the future extremely exciting.
Fully autonomous cars that would require no assistance from humans are in the far future, but current technology already allows us to give directions to a car and take our hands off the wheel. Self-driving cars are equipped with sensors on all sides, which gives them the ability to create a map of their surroundings. They record the positioning of nearby vehicles, detect the edges of roads, etc.
You can even relieve yourself from the stress of parking thanks to the self-parking features of cars equipped with the latest technology trends. If it starts raining outside, you will be able to remotely start your car and bring it closer to where you are instead of running in the rain.
Creating a comfortable driving experience might not be the end goal with this new technology, after all. Imagine an ecosystem of self-driving cars, all connected to the same network. This would create huge opportunities for fighting traffic and avoiding accidents. Although this technology trend may require legislation changes, it’s still an exciting innovation and food for thought.
8. Personal Profiling
As brands continue to receive more and more information about their consumers, they are moving towards using it in smarter ways. Personal profiling is just what it sounds like. Companies create personal profiles of individuals based on their behavior on their digital devices. Companies look at things such as:
- Most visited social media sites
- Structure and content of their social media accounts (e.g., The pictures you post on Instagram)
- Places they check-in
- Brands they follow
Using all this information, brands adapt their strategies to ultimately increase their bottom line.
Although these types of technology trends are intruding on the privacy of consumers, brands are still choosing to walk that gray line. As a result, companies like Apple are implementing updates where all apps ask your permission before tracking your behavior among other apps.
9. Cybersecurity
This may not sound like new technology, but cybersecurity is continuously staying relevant along with other technology trends. Since hackers are finding new ways to access precious data stored in the cloud, it’s becoming more and more crucial to keep it safe. So, what is cybersecurity after all? Cybersecurity / computer security is the protection of the data, service, software, or hardware of digital systems.
Companies store all types of data ranging from Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to government information systems. So long as hackers are trying to access such data, cybersecurity will stay relevant.
This current technology should not be taken lightly. The number of cybersecurity jobs is growing 3 times faster than other tech jobs. Here are some job titles to look out for:
- Security engineer
- Security analyst
- Ethical hacker
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Security Architect
If you want a job in a field of technology trends and innovations, cybersecurity is definitely something to look into.
10. Internet of Behaviors (IoB)
Internet of Behaviors is one of the top technology trends of 2023, and it’s for good reason. You’ve probably already heard of the Internet of Things (IoT). It allows us to remotely connect to our smart devices and control the light in our homes, turn off the oven in the kitchen, and lock the door you forgot to lock. In other words, IoT is the network of all “smart” things we own that are connected to the internet. The data that these IoT devices collect is extremely valuable and that’s why IoB is now a part of top technology trends. So, what is IoB?
Internet of Behaviors is a new technology that aims to understand and influence the behavior of IoT users by analyzing their data. IoB looks at the data from a psychological perspective and provides valuable insights. These insights are later used by companies to better market their products and services to you. IoB can track where you are in the sales funnel, detect conversion issues, and help companies create a better user experience.
IoB is not only used by companies to generate sales. It’s made for the user’s benefit too. For example, if your health app detects issues with your heart when you exercise at night but not in the morning, it can recommend you to only exercise in the mornings. IoB is also aiming to improve behaviors through its psychological data analysis.
Final Thoughts
Today’s technologies are developing so fast that it’s becoming hard to keep up. Some technology trends of 2023, like cybersecurity, have been around for a while. Some tech trends like the Internet of Behaviors are new how technologies. Old or new, these technological advancements govern the way we live, work, and consume entertainment.
Each of these top 10 technology trends is worth looking into if you want to see what skills you may require for your future career. It is also simply fascinating to see what the world is moving towards. Maybe flying cars are not as far away in the future as we thought.
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