5 Technology Trends for 2019

Even as new technologies are developed, innovation around the application of existing

technology is rapidly changing how organisations operate and how we interact with the world.

Leaps in computing capacity, data capture and connectivity are accelerating this change. Here

are five areas to watch in 2019 and beyond…

1)Artificial Intelligence

A.I.(Artificial Intelligence) is about machines with human attributes - speaking, reading, seeing and even recognising

emotion - completing tasks while also "learning" from repeated interactions. Using algorithms that

adapt to location, speech or user-history machines can perform tasks that are dangerous or

tedious, more accurately or much faster than humans.

Within a few years, analysts predict that all software will use A.I. at some level, according to US

research and advisory firm Gartner. Importantly A.I. offers the opportunity to continuously tailor

products and services providing a competitive advantage over rivals that is not easily copied. The

question to ask is 'how can A.I. help my organisation?

2)Augmented Reality

Systems that combine real-time 3D vision, sound, haptics (the sense of touch), location data and

even other senses such as smell enable people to immerse themselves somewhere else, react to

what's around them and alter their virtual environment in real time. Organisations are increasingly

applying this technology across a wide spectrum of human activity from art and entertainment to

commerce, education and the military. It's used to train doctors, nurses, teachers and police

officers and will soon be available on your smart device. Could you use A.R.(Augmented

Realitiy) to lift efficiency for your internal stakeholders or help you communicate with your

customer base?

3)Blockchain

The fortunes of digital currency Bitcoin have drawn public attention to Blockchain technology, but

this secure system for recording and verifying transactions and storing trusted records has the

potential to disrupt enterprises of many kinds. Companies are using Blockchain technology to

transform time-consuming, centralised, less reliable and less secure systems. Digital democracy

platform MyVote, for example, uses Blockchain to store users' personal data and voting history to

give citizens a more direct voice in the political process. Could you use Blockchain to keep your

data secure?

4)Automation

Robots in manufacturing go back to the 1960s. Now it's the scale and breadth of the

transformation that automated systems make possible, as a result of other advances in machine

learning and connectivity, for example, that puts automation firmly at the forefront of technology

trends. From convenient devices at home to industrial applications on a massive scale,

automation will be a key focus of technological change, with potentially far-reaching economic

and social consequences.

Currently, professional services such as the legal and finance industry are being disrupted by

automation with feedback from these sectors being that core technical skills together with

management and people skills being more important than ever. How will automation disrupt your

industry?

5)Internet of Things

Gartner calls the combination of technologies and the connection of people, devices, content and

services the "intelligent digital mesh." This is the foundation for new business models, platforms

and possibilities that will transform how we live and work with implications that go far beyond the

technology itself and involve disciplines such as law, economics, business and politics.

It is early days for the application of IoT strategy but it is clear that opportunities will exist for those

with the technical knowledge to connect platforms as well as those with the data analytics skills to

utilise the rich stream of information generated by IoT applications. What could you learn from

connecting and analysing the data from your products or elements of your core operations?