The nine biggest technology trends that will transform the next decade

The fourth industrial revolution, the next transformation after the previous ones that were driven by water and steam power, electricity, and information technology, is driven by the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI), data, and the intelligent devices of the Internet of Things (IoT) – and it’s already turning the world into one giant information system.

Business leaders need to understand and prepare for this change. So, here are the 10 biggest technology trends that will transform the next decade and separate the successful businesses of the future from the ones that get left in the dust.

Trend 1: Ubiquitous computing

Digital technology is more readily available than ever before. The average smartphone is far more powerful than the supercomputers of 10 years ago, and devices keep getting smaller, lighter, and more powerful.

As we reach the limits of Moore’s Law, which states that the number of transistors on a microchip will double every two years, new advances in computing power will come from AI algorithms and even DNA data storage.

In the meantime, quantum computers are potentially capable of operating hundreds of millions of times faster than traditional computers. We have the technology to store, process, and access data more cheaply and easily than ever before.

Experts predict that by 2025, up to 80% of all enterprise and mission-critical workloads will move to the cloud.

Trend 2: An explosion of intelligent devices and objects

You’re probably already familiar with the huge variety of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT), like smartwatches, smart TVs, and smart thermostats. It’s clear that in the future, practically everything will be connected to the internet, and will be capable of gathering and transmitting data. Now scientists and researchers are even developing intelligent spaces like smart factories and smart cities that are increasingly connected.

The ability to connect devices to the internet will transform practically every industry, including education, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense.

From the massive amounts of IoT data companies receive, business leaders will get a unique insight into how customers and employees truly behave.

Trend 3: Datafication

These days, practically everything we do leaves a digital trace, which means companies have enormous amounts of data about their customers, their prospects, and their business processes. In fact, data is now the most valuable business asset for most organizations, allowing business leaders to better understand customers, create new products and services, and improve and automate company processes.

Trend 4: Artificial intelligence

With all that data at our fingertips, experts have made incredible leaps in AI technology. Intelligent machines have more data to learn from, which helps them extract insights, spot patterns, and make predictions.

In particular, two of the key trends I’m most excited about are machine vision, where computers ‘see’ and recognize objects on videos and photos, and language processing, where machines can understand our voices and speak back to us.

Trend 5: Extended reality and the metaverse

Extended reality is an umbrella term referring to a wide spectrum of immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Immersive experiences are advancing in quality, thanks to slimmer and more powerful hardware and even extended reality glasses that provide extraordinary VR and AR experiences on the go.

The whole world is also abuzz with talk of the metaverse, an immersive, persistent environment enabled by AR, VR, and blockchain that users will be able to access through different devices and platforms.

This trend towards extended reality is changing the way we consume information and interact with others. When business leaders find ways to turn information into experiences, they will stay on top of this trend and use it to accelerate their company’s growth.

Trend 6: 3D printing

3D printing gives manufacturers the ability to create complex shapes more easily and produce things they can’t make with traditional methods. Today, we can already print clothes, human organs, and even houses.

Advancements in 3D printing enable manufacturers to streamline manufacturing processes and create highly personalized products — all while reducing costs and decreasing waste.

Trend 7: Gene editing and genomics

Advancements in genomics and gene editing are helping us move toward medical and biological breakthroughs like curing and eradicating diseases, modifying crops, and developing new vaccinations.

Right now, we only understand approximately 2% of our genes, but as we unlock more knowledge and fine-tune gene editing technology, we’ll be able to drive innovation that leads to exceptional healthcare and biological advancement.

Trend 8: Materials science and nanotechnology

Nanotechnology — the manipulation and control of materials on an atomic or molecular scale — is important because it helps us understand how objects and materials work. This understanding can drive innovation and help us create new solutions for some of today’s biggest problems.

For example, the minuscule computer chips and transistors that are driving the current computing trend use nanotechnology and advanced materials science. This technology makes autonomous vehicles, smart devices, and 3D printing possible.

Trend 9: New energy solutions

Finally, new technological advances in the energy sector are leading to new sources of power that can help us tackle climate change. Scientists are taking big steps toward making nuclear fusion more feasible and sustainable as a source of power.

Green hydrogen, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis, also has the potential to become a more affordable and efficient source of power in the next decade.

As we move further into the fourth industrial revolution, business leaders need to brace for these huge shifts that will completely alter the way we do business and go about our daily lives.