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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are two of the most important technologies in general today. And of the future. The steep interest and popularity of ChatGPT can be seen as a harbinger of what's to come. And now OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, “has hired an army of contractors to make basic coding obsolete”, creating a new tool called “Codex”.
In the coming years, AI and ML will continue to grow in popularity as more companies adopt these technologies for their own use. AI and ML can be used for a variety of tasks, from automating mundane tasks to providing insights into customer behaviour. AI and ML can be also used to create new products or services that would otherwise not be possible without them. Especially in the field of predictive analytics. AI and ML can help businesses make better decisions by providing insights into customer behaviour or market trends. As a result, more companies are likely to invest in these technologies as they become increasingly affordable and accessible.
Software 2.0
Software 2.0 is a concept that has been gaining traction in the IT industry in recent years. It is a new way of writing code, where instead of humans writing code line by line, machines are used to generate programs based on analysing large amounts of data. This approach started in the late 1970s as so-called “WYSIWYG” programs ("What You See Is What You Get"), in the late 1990s Macromedia Dreamweaver became popular and now it is picked up by OpenAI for its tool Codex, as we mentioned it before.
The trend of Software 2.0 is expected to continue in the coming years as more companies adopt this technology and use it to develop their products. With advances in deep learning, machines can now learn complex concepts and create programs that are more accurate and reliable than ever before. This technology is particularly helpful in automating tasks such as bug fixing or feature engineering, which can save developers time, money and a lot of stress.
Blockchain
Blockchain technology has already been adopted by many industries, from finance to healthcare, and its potential applications are only beginning to be explored. In the IT sector, blockchain can be used for a variety of tasks such as secure data storage, identity management, and smart contracts. With its ability to provide greater security and transparency than traditional systems, it is likely that more companies will begin to adopt this technology in the future.
Blockchain also has the potential to revolutionise how businesses operate by providing a secure platform for digital transactions, data sharing and the supply chain. This leads to increased efficiency and cost savings for businesses as they no longer need to rely on third-party intermediaries or manual processes. Which also means that the blockchain could enable new business models that were previously not possible due to a lack of trust between the parties or high transaction costs.
Web3
Web3 is a new trend in the IT industry that will fundamentally transform the way we use the internet. It is based on the concept of decentralisation, blockchain technologies and token-based systems. Web3 allows users to interact with apps and communities independently via their crypto-wallets ('digital wallet') instead of relying on large, centralised institutions. This also gives users more control over how they use their data and how it is shared.
Web3-based networks are expected to be faster and more secure than traditional web networks due to their decentralised nature. This could lead to a new era of online security and privacy for users around the world.
Metaverse
The metaverse is an integral part of Web3, and is projected to become increasingly important in the coming years. Sure, Meta’s (Facebook) Metaverse is not quite there yet, but in other parts of the world is coming to life. The "Metaverse Seoul" project started in South Korea, and allows municipal services. Another example is the ERGO insurance group, who trains sales partners in Metaverse. This is possible because the Metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality. The metaverse provides digital experiences as an alternative to or a replica of the real world, and it is expected to become more immersive and persistent over time.
The most common definition of the Metaverse includes an embodied virtual reality experience and a Web3 framework for creating and sharing 3D content. Simply put, that is, a "3D internet". It is supported by virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other advanced internet technologies.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Alright, let’s talk about VR and AR. The use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality is rapidly increasing. As technology continues to evolve, these two technologies are becoming more accessible and easier to use for businesses. VR and AR have the potential to revolutionise the way companies interact with customers, create products, improve work performance and even train employees – like the ERGO insurance group is just doing that.
In the coming years, we can expect to see VR and AR become more widely adopted across a variety of industries. For example, in retail, customers will be able to virtually try on clothes or test out products before they buy them. In healthcare, doctors will be able to use AR to diagnose patients from afar. And in education, students will be able to explore virtual worlds that help them learn about different topics in an immersive way.
The possibilities for VR and AR are endless - it's just a matter of time before these technologies become commonplace in our lives. The world going into “home office mode” was already a big step toward a possible virtual reality.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has become an integral part of IT in recent years, and this development will continue in the future. It allows companies to access data and applications from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for expensive hardware investments. Additionally, cloud-based services are highly scalable, allowing companies to quickly adjust their resources as needed. Cost savings is another factor, as well as increased security – though you have to take an active role in securing the cloud setup and wrapping your head around security. As more companies move their operations to the cloud, the demand for cloud-based services is expected to increase significantly over the coming years. According to a study by Gartner, 85% of organisations are expected to embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025.
Edge Computing
Edge computing is another trend becoming increasingly popular in the IT industry, as it offers numerous advantages over traditional cloud computing (though Cloud computing will continue to be an important tool in certain scenarios). Edge computing brings computation and data storage closer to the sources of data, reducing latency and improving performance. This distributed computing paradigm is expected to see a significant increase in investments over the coming years. According to IDC's Spending Guide, investments in edge computing are forecasted to reach $208 billion in 2023.
Service providers are expected to be big spenders on edge computing technologies, as they look for ways to improve their network performance and reduce latency. Technological advances such as the combination of 5G networks and IoT devices are also driving adoption of edge computing solutions. These advances enable efficient edge processing of data generated by billions of connected devices, allowing businesses to quickly respond to customer needs and demands.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is an emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionise the IT industry in the coming years. And no doubt will. Deloitte is convinced that “quantum computing will lead the next technology revolution”. The reason for that is, that it harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems that are too difficult for classical computers. With its ability to process massive amounts of data quickly, quantum computing could be used to develop new algorithms and applications for a wide range of industries, from finance and healthcare to transportation and logistics.
What is the difference between quantum computing and supercomputing?
Quantum computing and supercomputing are two powerful technologies used in general to solve complex problems and analyse data.
Supercomputers are bound by the normal laws of physics, meaning that the more processors they have, the faster they can work. They are typically highly parallel machines, often using standard PC hardware but with highly optimised software. Supercomputers are used for supercomputing and enable problem solving and data analysis.
On the other hand, quantum computers use quantum mechanics to process information much faster than traditional computers. They can perform calculations in a fraction of the time that it would take a regular computer to do the same task. Quantum computers are far more efficient than supercomputers and can be used for a variety of tasks such as cryptography, drug discovery, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Note: Quantum computing won’t replace “normal” or super computing, because it can only be used for a certain kind of operations, so both methods will have their space in our technological world.
In recent years, there have been major advancements in quantum computing technology. For example, researchers have developed a grid of atoms that can act as both a quantum computer and an optimization solver. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solutions for complex problems such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, and as we now know, AI and ML are highly beneficial moving humanity forward in the next years. Just a few days ago Alphabet spinoff SandboxAQ secured $500 million in funding to develop secure quantum communication networks. And the technology site Hackaday just reported on new developments in quantum interconnects which could make them faster than ever before, discovered by Scientists at Sussex University.
Overall, it’s clear that quantum computing will continue to be an impactful trend in IT over the coming years. But it can not only solve problems, but also creates some severe issues, especially when it comes to cybersecurity …
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is more than a trend but an ever-evolving field that requires constant vigilance and attention. As technology advances, so do the threats posed by malicious actors – and they get very creative in this endeavour, using AI and ML for their purposes. And quantum computing is a real problem – “The Department of Homeland Security believes that a quantum computer could be able to break current encryption methods as soon as 2030.” Organisations should in the same way leverage the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and respond to cyber threats more quickly and effectively. And about the coming challenge with quantum computing, one solution is post-quantum cryptography, which uses algorithms that are resistant to attack by quantum computers.
Another current trend in cybersecurity is to focus on prevention rather than reaction. This means having a comprehensive security strategy in place that includes both proactive measures such as regular vulnerability scans and patch management, as well as reactive measures such as incident response plans and user education.
Also very important in preventing cyber attacks is employing a people-centric security approach. This means educating employees on common phishing techniques and reducing the level of employee negligence.
Yet another key component of modern cybersecurity is zero trust security. This method assumes that all users, devices, applications, services, networks, and data are potentially compromised or malicious. As such, it requires all requests for access to be authenticated before granting access to any resources.
Finally, businesses should also invest in Internet of Things (IoT) security measures as more devices become connected to the internet. IoT security involves protecting these connected devices from malicious actors who could gain access to sensitive information or disrupt operations. Companies can do this by implementing encryption protocols for data transmission between devices and using secure authentication methods for device access control.
To get started on this topic, here is a list of 15 Cybersecurity Best Practices.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Talking about IoT, the Internet of Things is rapidly growing in IT and especially in Industry 4.0, with more and more physical objects being connected to the internet every day. The IoT has already had a huge impact on many industries, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. With the increasing number of connected devices, businesses will be able to gain valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences, as well as improve efficiency by automating processes. Additionally, IoT technology can help reduce costs by reducing energy consumption and eliminating manual labour. For more information on this topics, we have covered more information on this topic in our extensive article “The Difference between Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT)”
