Technology is always constantly evolving at incredible rates especially with rapid changes occurring in the world enabling faster change and progress. 2022 is no different than any other year as technology adapts for personal and business needs. Here are some of the latest trends emerging in technology advancements to be on lookout for.
1. Datafication
While this can be considered a skill set, in short, datafication is the modification of tasks powered by data so that organizations can better understand customers, research, and stay on top of key trends and get better insights into their own organizations. The implementation of datafication leads to an increase in need for IT professionals, data scientists, big data engineers and plenty of other professions. As we process more data annually, datafication makes sure that data is not only accurate but is stored securely and safely.
2. 3D Printing
While the first 3D printing can be traced all the way back to the 1980s, it is growing increasingly popular to help formulate and create three-dimensional digital models and prototypes. Typically, this technology is utilized in industries including:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Manufacturing
- Robotics
- Education
- Healthcare
- Construction
To properly work 3D printing, there should be a sound knowledge of AI, machine learning, modeling and 3D printing itself. With this knowledge jobs such as CX program manager, 3D printer engineer, emulation prototyping engineer, robotics trainer, and AI engineer.
3. Clean Technologies
As we move into a more clean-conscious generation, there is a growing need for clean-energy technology to help match the needs and wants out of the new technological generation. The basics of a clean technology system is to distribute energy into the grid, store energy and allow carbon-neutral energy generation. As a result, organizations not only save money because they are less expensive to implement but can also help with renewable energy, carbon capture, smart-grid technologies, better wastewater treatment, and smart buildings and infrastructure.
4. Edge Computing
Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the data generators which in turn improves response times, saves bandwidth, and allows organizations to achieve faster data processes. While edge computing is relatively new, the need for the architecture has seen a growth in need since 2019. In fact, according to Linux Foundation’s report State of the Edge 2021, it is predicted that by 2028 cumulative capital expenditures of up to $800 billion will be spent on replacement IT server equipment and edge computing facilities. Edge computing is also predicated to bring enhancement to hard drives, AI processing chips, GPUs, and smart network interface controllers.
5. Cybersecurity
As we move into an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity also grows in importance. Organizations need to be able to protect their important data and information from all different types of cyber-attacks. In 2022 there are several types of cyber-attacks that are emerging that need to be looked out for including:
- Malware Attacks
- Phishing Attacks
- Password Attacks
- Man-In-The-Middle Attacks
- SQL Injection Attacks
- Denial-of-Service Attacks
- Insider Attacks
- Cryptojacking
- Zero-Day Exploits
- Watering Hole Attacks
With more data being stored on cloud platforms and services, security measures to protect this information are critical in protecting individuals and organizations. It should be assumed that as we see emerging technology and move to more digitally independent organizations, hackers will also improve and find ways to get through even the toughest security measures. In fact, as we move forward with technology, cybersecurity jobs are growing three times faster than other tech jobs. These jobs include roles like ethical hacker, malware analyst, security engineer, and chief security officer.
6. Even More AI Advancement
Artificial Intelligence has been accelerating steadily for at least the past decade and annually, it’s advancements remain a top technology trend with its superiority in image recognition, speech recognition, analyzing interactions to determine underlying connections, resource utilization, help predict demand for services, analyzing data in real-time, driving revenue, improving core business processes, better strategic decision making processes, enhancing automation, disaster response, customer service expectations and plenty more.
According to marketsandmarkets.com, AI spending is suspected to reach over $57 billion for 2022 and grow into a $190 billion industry by 2025 while creating jobs in development, programming, testing, support, and maintenance. Many industries are also seeing AI spread into machine vision with computers that can recognize objects from a photograph, continually growing language processing systems and machines that can understand our voices and speak back to us.
7. Extended Reality
Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that covers all immersive technologies that stimulate reality by blending the virtual and “real” worlds creating a fully immersive experience, these include:
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Mixed Reality (MR)
While typically associated with gaming, extended reality is also frequently used with medical specialists, retail, animation design, editing programs and modeling. With the rise in popularity with extended reality there is job creation in careers such as an extended reality architect, front lead engineer, software developer, AR/VR support engineers, game designers, pro gamers, and creative directors.
8. New Energy Solutions
In extension to #3 Cleaner Technologies listed above, we are seeing a generation that wants to be greener and lessen carbon footprints of both individuals and organizations. As we see a growing importance on cleaner energy and tackling climate change, there will be innovations in nuclear power and green hydrogen. With implementing these solutions, we will be able to power our transportation methods like ships, plans and trains with renewable energy and be able to generate energy for the public allowing for a greener tomorrow. As we see this increased need for green, there are new environment-related and data-oriented jobs emerging in New Energy such as energy (solar, thermal, hydro-power) specialist, solar plant design, climate strategy specialist, chemical energy, biotechnology specialist, and renewable energy technologist.
2022 Predictions
Including the eight listed above technologies, there are several predictions in emerging technology trends. While it is impossible to pinpoint exactly where technology will end up, we see an increasing number of emerging technologies especially in response to the pandemic and growing digital dependence. Some predictions we may see coming our way soon include:
Data Centric AI
Remote Medicine
Digital Twins in Manufacturing and Industrial Metaverse
Low-Code/No-Code Programming Techniques
Next-Generation Remote Presence (“Metaverse”)
Robotic Process Automation
Digital Trust
Quantum Computing
Genomics