Eight Technology Trends Worth Paying Attention to in 2017

Just a few years ago, the words “smart” and “intelligent” would never have been applied to inanimate objects without getting a funny look. Using these terms to describe machinery, software, and other technologies is not so rare anymore. Moving beyond to 2017, these can be considered most appropriate for what is expected to come.

Familiar concepts such as machine intelligence and virtual reality will come into play. Digital technology and adaptive security will expand. Every trend expected for the coming year will have a profound impact on how businesses are built and run, and how the average person goes about their daily lives.

Here is a quick rundown of the top technology trends expected for 2017.

1. Advancement of Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been around for a while, but they will become more advanced and important. An important consideration is how AI will be able to incorporate machine learning. Autonomous systems that can process information and alter their behavior, predict actions, and understand conversation and trends are being developed thanks to advanced algorithms, parallel processing, and massive data sets. This has implications for everything from daily business to banking transactions.

A similar concept is digital twins, or software models of the physical realm. Dynamic modeling is quickly replacing static models, using digital twins to drive data analysis, simulation, and systems control. The process can be used to identify behavior anomalies and maintenance needs, drive process management, and manage the efficiency of manufacturing systems and products.

2. Apps with Machine Intelligence

Siri was just the beginning when it comes to apps that serve as personal assistants. You’ll soon be hard pressed to find a business application without AI, whether it’s for marketing, resource planning, or security.

Large and small organizations will be able to take advantage of autonomous business processes and AI-powered interfaces.

3. Objects with Intelligence

From smart vehicles to devices as innocuous as light bulbs, intelligence is being used to enhance the experience we have with our things. The more intelligent things there are, the bigger intelligent networks and network applications become.

Although privacy and liability may slow things down a bit, AI in the home, office, medical facility, and factory will become more prevalent. Drones and robots, and even autonomous vehicles, aren’t going away anytime soon either.

4. Virtual Reality

Virtual and augmented reality will continue to blend the digital and physical worlds. From digital ecosystems to modern business models, interactions between people and the software they use will enhance anything from remote communication to training.

Graphic overlays and visual immersion are just a couple of examples of how virtual reality will be applied.

5. Conversational Computers

There are more and more devices you can ask a question, and you’ll get an instant answer. Computer adaptability is boosted by fast processing and internet connectivity.

Digital devices will enable people to not just use text and voice, but also sights and sounds plus tactile response to experience two-way conversations with computers.

6. Connected Apps

Arrays of end-use apps are being connected in a Mesh App and Service Architecture (MASA). This addresses the fact any given app is not likely to be an isolated phenomenon.

MASA links each app to a network of back-end applications/services. The system emphasizes data sharing and connections.

7. The Five Major Digital Platforms

Digital-centric organizations will continue to focus on information systems, analytics and intelligence, Internet of Things, customer experience, and business ecosystems. These building blocks of IT infrastructure will still be based on traditional core IT systems.

Customer engagement is more important than ever before. Interactions between organizations and intelligent systems that can analyze/learn/decide are as well.

8. Adaptive Security

There is a high demand for fluid, adaptive security architectures. For IoT, this means behavior analytics as a requirement, and as part of a multi-layered security model. The pace at which a system or organization can keep up with new threats and hacking techniques is increasingly more important, necessitating the use of enterprise flash storage. Adaptable systems bypass the issue of humans not being fast enough.

These are a bunch of trends expected to dominate the technology headlines in 2017. We can expect faster, more autonomous machines, software, and interfaces. You’ll certainly want to pay attention as they will certainly impact your professional and personal life in new and exciting ways.