While our business focuses on web design, SEO, and marketing, today's post features trends within the tech industry as a whole, and how they impact both consumers and businesses. If you'd like a roundup of trends specifically related to digital marketing, check out this post.
Over the past few years, Artificial Intelligence and concepts related to it, such as machine learning; natural language processing; deep learning; and its relation to the Internet of Things (IoT) have become hot topics. Most sources tend to agree that this is likely to continue throughout 2018.
What's the impact of this trend? Those in our industry are familiar with the fact that deep learning algorithms are used by giants like Google, Amazon, and Netflix for purposes like voice recognition, image recognition, and providing customers with relevant suggestions. However, AI can be employed in a huge range of industries, including business, finance, education and healthcare. According to Entrepreneur, 20% of AI-aware firms have become early adopters.
Throughout 2018, it appears that AI will have a strong role to play in assisting with or automating certain tasks so that employees can focus on other aspects of their jobs.
Here are a few examples:
Voice-controlled digital assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa, have grown in popularity and accessibility over the course of 2017. This growth is projected to continue over the course of the upcoming year.
Digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home have helped homeowners consolidate control of smart devices in their homes; make calls or online searches, and order items they’re running low on. These assistants won’t be limited to home or mobile, however: in late November 2017, Amazon announced that they would be rolling out Alexa for business.
Digital assistants, as well as the increasing popularity of voice search on phones, has also been affecting the way that we search for information online. Many consumers are now searching using voice rather than typing in their queries.
As of January 4th, two major telecom companies in the US have stated that they’ll be rolling out 5G networks by the end of this year. Additionally, this summer, the Government of Canada launched a consultation on 5G support in order to gain feedback from key players in the industry as well as private individuals. GoC noted in their brief on the topic that 5G networks have the potential to contribute to “enhanced/ultra-fast mobile broadband; massive machine type communications; and reliable, low latency communications”.
5G will allow users to download movies, games, apps, and more in a fraction of the time that they’re currently used to: roughly 100 times faster than they can on a 4G network! However, the potential related to the removal of barriers around bandwidth is much bigger than that.
The breakdown of applications for this look incredibly intriguing:
Most consumers are familiar with the Internet of Things in the context of smart and connected home devices. However, this trend is also swiftly gaining traction with businesses as well.
According to a study cited in MachineDesign, 86% of respondents are currently adopting Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications in their industries. In this survey, respondents were primarily in the construction; transportation; oil and gas; and manufacturing industries.
Furthermore, a recent article in Forbes notes that the Internet of Things will provide marketing professionals with new ways to interact with customers.
Which changes and development are most interesting to you? Do you foresee any of these developments impacting your business?
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