We are amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution, and technology is evolving faster than ever. Companies and individuals that don’t keep up with some of the major tech trends run the risk of being left behind. Understanding the key trends will allow people and businesses to prepare and grasp the opportunities. As a business and technology futurist, it is my job to look ahead and identify the most important trends. In this article, I share with you the seven most imminent trends everyone should get ready for in 2020.
Category: Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage and computing power, without direct active management by the user. The term is generally used to describe data centers available to many users over the Internet. Large clouds, predominant today, often have functions distributed over multiple locations from central servers. If the connection to the user is relatively close, it may be designated an edge server.
Retailers Have A Lot To Gain From AR and VR
AR AND VR BENEFITS IN RETAIL
IMPROVE CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT : 40% of people are willing to pay more for a product If they can experience it first through AR.
PROVIDE A PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE : People look to buy products curated to their needs. Customized products are one of the top selling items in the retail Industry.
INCREASE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION : Customers return to the retailer if they have a positive memory of previous shopping. Customer satisfaction is the top priority for retailers.
ENABLE NEW MARKETING METHODS : AR and VR enables for new marketing methods which are more engaging than conventional practices currently In place.
FACILITATE EMPLOYEE TRAINING : Employees can be trained without putting their safety at risk.
![Making The Internet Of Things [IoT] More Intelligent With Artificial Intelligence [AI]](https://i0.wp.com/www.snowdropsolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Making-The-Internet-Of-Things-IoT-More-Intelligent-With-Artificial-Intelligence-AI.jpg?fit=960%2C616&ssl=1)
Making The Internet Of Things [IoT] More Intelligent With Artificial Intelligence [AI]
According IoT Analytics, there are over 17 Billion connected devices in the world as of 2018, with over 7 Billion of these “internet of things” (IoT) devices. The Internet of Things is the collection of those various sensors, devices, and other technologies that aren’t meant to directly interact with consumers, like phones or computers. Rather, IoT devices help provide information, control, and analytics to connect a world of hardware devices to each other and the greater internet. With the advent of cheap sensors and low cost connectivity, IoT devices are proliferating.
![Can We Build Artificial Intelligence [AI] Without Losing Control Over It](https://i0.wp.com/www.snowdropsolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SamHarris_2016T-embed.jpg?fit=1170%2C658&ssl=1)
Can We Build Artificial Intelligence [AI] Without Losing Control Over It
Scared of superintelligent AI? You should be, says neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris — and not just in some theoretical way. We’re going to build superhuman machines, says Harris, but we haven’t yet grappled with the problems associated with creating something that may treat us the way we treat ants.
The 7 Most Dangerous Technology Trends In 2020 Everyone Should Know About
As we enter new frontiers with the latest technology trends and enjoy the many positive impacts and benefits it can have on the way we work, play and live, we must always be mindful and prepare for possible negative impacts and potential misuse of the technology. Here are seven of the most dangerous technology trends:
![What’s New In Gartner’s Hype Cycle For Artificial Intelligence [AI], 2019](https://i0.wp.com/www.snowdropsolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/the-Gartner-Hype-Cycle-for-Artificial-Intelligence-2019.jpg?fit=960%2C924&ssl=1)
What’s New In Gartner’s Hype Cycle For Artificial Intelligence [AI], 2019
These and many other new insights are from Gartner Hype Cycle For AI, 2019 published earlier this year and summarized in the recent Gartner blog post, Top Trends on the Gartner Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, 2019. Gartner’s definition of Hype Cycles includes five phases of a technology’s lifecycle and is explained here. Gartner’s latest Hype Cycle for AI reflects the growing popularity of AutoML, intelligent applications, AI platform as a service or AI cloud services as enterprises ramp up their adoption of AI. The Gartner Hype Cycle for AI, 2019.
13 Smart Areas AI Can Be Used For In Almost Any Business
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a buzzword that most business owners have already heard of, even if they haven’t researched the technology deeply. AI has the potential to change the face of business in fundamental ways. Because of its innate flexibility, AI presents a wide range of potential applications that almost any business can leverage to make itself more efficient.
There are already companies that have started using AI to make their processes more productive and reduce their costs for both material sourcing and labor. Thirteen experts from Forbes Technology Council take a look at how the smartest business owners of today are employing AI and how it helps those businesses succeed at what they do.
Oracle Builds Layers Of ‘IT Autonomy’ To Reduce Human Error
Sometimes people get ill because something goes wrong with their body. Very often, the body self-heals by directing regulatory controls to rectify and normalize the thing that is making you feel poorly. This is the body’s autonomic nervous system and its actions are carried out while the human being is largely unconscious of events taking place. When an illness can’t be rectified autonomically, you take medicine, or go to the doctor.
Sometimes, computers go wrong too.
Rather than calling a doctor, we usually call an IT support engineer or attempt to reinstall and ‘patch’ the software code issues causing the performance defect to occur. Increasingly though, through the use of Machine Learning (ML) and an ability to codify best-practice methods for addressing software performance scenarios, we are able to allow software systems to self-heal in much the same way that the body flushes out problems. This is called autonomic computing and it happens while the human being (let’s call them the ‘user’) is largely unconscious of events taking place.
![Can Artificial Intelligence [AI] Save Our Oceans? Let’s Start With The Data](https://i0.wp.com/www.snowdropsolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Can-AI-Save-Our-Oceans-Lets-Start-With-The-Data.jpg?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1)
Can Artificial Intelligence [AI] Save Our Oceans? Let’s Start With The Data
Scientists have noted that even if we were to halt all of our fossil fuel activity today, we are still on track to lose 90% of the ocean’s corals by 2050. Coral is the ocean’s life system and without it, we will soon also have an ocean without life.
In spite of the terrible news, there are some glimmers of light and hope spots that we can point to, especially in the areas of AI for the benefit of the ocean. This will be the first in a series of articles that puts a spotlight on the top innovators and innovations that are using the power of technology, and specifically AI to restore and regenerate our precious oceans.
Accelerating Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s (SMBC) Data-Driven Culture With AutoML 2.0
Data science is a major area of investment for banks due to its proven impact on operations such as fraud protection, risk mitigation, customer relationship management, and more. But while investments in AI are growing, banks are often finding that their existing analytics and business intelligence technology and talent aren’t capable of meeting their current and expanding needs. Challenges in resources, technology infrastructure, and the ability to operationalize models quickly and efficiently can prevent financial institutions from fully leveraging AI and data science to drive business impact.
These challenges, paired with the need to remain competitive in a quickly evolving market, compelled the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to seek out innovative solutions to help it maximize its AI and machine learning (ML) investments.
Stitch Fix: A Useful Case Study For Retail’s Digital Transformation
The remarkable thing about Stitch Fix, though, isn’t its business model, which blends digital with a healthy bit of reality. It’s the company’s use of algorithms across essentially every single facet of the company. When it comes to data, Stitch Fix is doing it well, and there are a lot of things all companies—not just retail—can learn from it. The following are just a few of my favorite takeaways.
Top 5 Digital Transformation Trends In Retail For 2020
Each year, I take a look at the major digital transformation trends hitting every industry. Next up are the big digital transformation trends in retail for 2020.
Before getting into this year’s trends, I want to go over some of the hits and misses we chose for 2019. While we did see major and necessary improvements in omni-channel retail and AI/cognitive computing, I’d say we still have some work to do with cardless checkout and smart beacons. Yes, those technologies are still percolating and will likely continue to mature in the coming year. But for 2020, I see some more significant trends moving the industry forward.
