The most important technology trends 2020

Wherever there is a future, the prophesiers are not far away. However, the practices of the “oracles” have developed from the astrology and bone reading of the past to more reliable methods. This explains why the predictions from the competing analysts are not too different, but the needs of the respective customers require special perspectives.

Gartner was first in the annual round of forecasts with its Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2020. Of course, looking just one year into the future won’t produce any truly big surprises. Changes are often only marginal in comparison to the previous year. For example, at Gartner, last year’s automation is now called hyperautomation, edge computing has become empowered edge, and blockchain is now known as practical blockchain.

1. Hyperautomation
   Hyperautomation describes the combination of typical automation instruments, such as machine learning, software, or robotics for autonomous processes. The entire bandwidth of automation mechanisms and their relationships with each other is recorded, combined, and coordinated.
2. Multiexperience
   Multiexperience will revolutionize the user experience by 2028. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) will provide multi-sensory and multi-modal experiences in the digital world.
3. Democratization of expertise
   By 2023, Gartner expects to see more democratization in the four areas of data and analyses, design, development, and knowledge. Tools and expert systems will then also be accessible to non-IT experts. Interaction of humans and machines and artificial intelligence are also the focus of Gartner’s Hype Cycle 2019. (Image: Gartner).
   
   Specialist knowledge in technical and business areas will then be easier to access in the future and, as a consequence, expensive training courses will become obsolete.
4. Human augmentation
   Implanting technology in the human body will increase in the coming years. The resulting cognitive and physical improvements will become an integral element of human experience. This could take place via conventional computer systems or also via multi-experience interfaces in smart spaces.
5. Autonomous things
   With the help of artificial intelligence, swarms of autonomous smart things cooperate independently or with human input. Besides, in the future, autonomous machines will be a normal part of every cityscape.
6. Transparency and traceability
   Consumers are increasingly realizing the value of their personal information and the need to control it. At the same time, for companies and organizations there are increased risks associated with storing and managing personal data. Transparency and traceability play an important role in this environment. According to Gartner, companies must focus on three areas: AI and ML, data protection, ownership and control of personal data, and ethic-centered design.
7. Empowered edge
   Empowered edge describes devices that people use directly or embedded devices around them. Information is processed and content is collected and provided closer to the source. Increasingly specialized computer resources and data storage ensure that edge computing will play a dominating role in almost all industries and use cases. This change will accelerate further with the use of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles.
8. Distributed cloud
   This new era of cloud computing is a departure from the centralized model of most public cloud services. In the future, these will be distributed among different locations.
9. Practical blockchain
   Blockchain can reshape industries by enabling trust, providing transparency and enabling value exchange across business ecosystems, potentially lowering costs, reducing transaction settlement times and improving cash flow. Assets can be traced to their origin. This makes it more difficult to introduce counterfeit goods but also allows contaminated food to be tracked back to its source.
10. AI security
    In addition to the major opportunities provided by AI and ML, there will also be new challenges for the people responsible that should not be underestimated. There must be a particular focus on three key areas—protecting AI-powered systems, using AI to enhance security defense, and anticipating nefarious use of AI by attackers.