With technology growing exponentially it can be hard to keep up, hard to know which developments are merely noise and which are here to stay. And with technology’s trajectory so hard to predict, choosing which trends to invest in for your business can be entirely overwhelming. This article will cherry pick the most influential 7 technology trends affecting business in 2017 so that you have a better idea of where things are headed and what technologies need to be adopted to ensure your business survives in highly competitive, fast-moving world.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is here to stay. In fact, its growth will explode out and soon be ubiquitous. Its application is far too flexible and applicable for any other outcome to be possible. From medical training and pilot simulators to guitar teaching and game playing, the possibilities are truly endless.
Take a look at this article for a more in depth look at all the virtual reality trends likely to expand and develop in 2017.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality layers computer-generated elements over an existing reality in order to and allows the user to interact with these elements. Some argue that this may prove more influential than virtual reality because the development strain is far less and the potential uses may be more pervasive. The astounding success of Pokémon Go shows the technology has immense potential to influence consumers in powerful and important ways.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a distributed database in which value exchange transactions (in bitcoin etc.) maintain a continuously-growing list of ordered records called blocks. Blockchains are inherently resistant to modification of the data (which is hugely consequential in its rapidly growing success); which makes them secure. They add trust and transparency to notoriously distrusted environments while reducing costs for everyone involved. Watch this space.
Machine Learning
Machine learning has been on the scene for quite a while now giving headaches to chess players and the like. However it has gained significant traction in the past few years, but still, we’ve only seen it used in a limited range of applications. In 2017, machine learning will seep much further into the everyday lives of the masses, offering highly tailored, recommended products based on prior purchases, or favourites etc. history and gradually improving the user experience in games and apps using feedback. Machine learning with Python has been popular especially for web developers. If you’re a beginner in coding, this programming language is best recommended because of its easy syntax.
Automation
Automation has been eating away at blue and pink-collar work for some time now, and has now set its eyes on white-collar work. We’ve had robotic journalists, musicians, artists, and we will continue to see this but with increasingly high calibre. As we automate more and more, it becomes easier to automate more and more and the process goes on in a dizzying, exponential, upward spiral.
Physical-Digital Integrations
Smart Mobile devices are commonplace – as is the sea of information they provide. With things like site-to-store purchasing we have already seen the power of physical-digital integrations, but there is still plenty of potential left in this area.
Big Data
Big data has been a buzz word for the last few years. And it’s easy to see why: the mass quantities of gathered data we now have access to can help us in everything from more sophisticated government ruling to executing better marketing campaigns. In 2017, big data will continue you to expand, but efforts will be made to temper it with empathy as the big data numbers have been known to gloss over certain issues in the past. Humans are still able to recognise certain patterns and extrapolate in ways computers are not, so a combination of the strengths of humans and the strengths of humans would make for a powerful tool.
And there you have it, the top 7 trends most likely to affect business in 2017. With technology it’s hard to predict what trend will leave the biggest impact, but it’s safe to say that this comprehensive list’s members will all leave substantial dents in the stratosphere of technology and positioning your business to take advantage of at least one of these trends is definitely advisable!
