4 IT trends to keep an eye on

It's always worth keeping a sharp eye on the future, especially when it comes to IT and digital transformation. Many of the concepts and trends we address in this post have been around for a while, but many of them also look like enjoying a proper boost as we move towards the next decade. In this post, we'll be talking about everything from recognition technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to the technology that enables these innovations to spread worldwide. Here are four IT trends to take a closer look at.

1. AI and machine learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have quickly become catalysts in our analysis tools. For a long time, the vast amount of data we've gathered has been difficult to process, but the value of AI and machine-learning lies precisely in the fact that this technology can help us better analyse and understand our data. Thanks to advances in AI and machine learning, complex data can now be analysed much more quickly. Best of all, these tools are becoming ever more user-friendly the faster the technology develops, which means even small businesses that do not have the same resources can get into the game and use AI and machine-learning the better to help their operations.

Conversational AI is another trend where the interface just keeps on getting better. Microsoft has begun to work with conversational AI, and its platforms are not just on the way to hearing accurately, but also being able to follow more complex conversational threads, and understand vocal pitch and feelings. Furthermore, the hardware has been developed and is now better able to pick out, hear and decipher human voices even when we're in places with a great deal of background noise. 

2. Recognition technology

Biometrics has quickly become the solution to long, complex strong passwords. Fingerprint technology for mobile devices such as Apple Touch ID have already spread globally, and we see the technology more and more as an alternative to passwords and access cards.

The problem with this technology is that it is far too simple to spoof with the aid of fake digital fingerprints. For many, this is the reason why facial recognition is the future of biometrics.

Here are four reasons why facial recognition is the future of authentication.

1. Reliability. 3D-mapping, deep learning and other advances in the industry have made facial recognition reliable and difficult to spoof.

2. Secure. Research has shown that 1 in 50,000 smartphones with touch ID can be unlocked with a randomly selected fingerprint. With modern facial recognition, the statistic is one in a million.

3. Convenient and hassle free. Facial recognition is simple and can be used without active inputs from the user.

4. Smart integration. As a rule, facial recognition can be integrated into existing security infrastructure.

Although facial recognition is not perfect (among other things, it takes a lot of data) and despite the fact that it will still require a great deal of political will for it to spread globally. 

3. Augmented Reality (AR) – a burgeoning technology

We predict that AR technology will grow to become an everyday event for ordinary shoppers. So far, the technology has mostly enjoyed widespread use in games such as Pokémon Go, but this does not mean that the people behind the technology are resting on their laurels.

Apple has now integrated AR into its iOS operating system, which means the technology is significantly lighter and can be used in Apple device apps. Although QR codes have been around a long while, their use has never felt really intuitive. This will change when we can simply take out our camera, hold it against the jacket and immediately get its product description. When we can easily generate comparisons by scanning two different pairs of shoes, or when we can conveniently call up a real estate description when we pass an interesting house on the street, our smartphones will have taken a giant leap forward. 

There are also many fields of application in medicine, design, logistics and tourism, which means there are many incentives for developing the technology quickly.

4. 5G - faster network

The advance in network technology is probably not the most conspicuous of trends, but it is important for the technology's continued use and development. Soon, 5G will start rolling out all over the world, which will mean we gain very fast connections for our mobile devices – which is important for providing them with the power they need to keep up with software development.

This doesn't just apply to our smartphones. Everything from cars and trains to lampposts and parks will need the fastest connections possible to provide us with the services we will demand out in the community. 

This was our trend scouting for the immediate future. Which trend do you think will be the predominant conversation topic in the near future? Feel free to get in touch with us to talk more about how your business can get ready for tomorrow's trends.

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