In this third decade of the 21st century, we see unparalleled technology integration. Digital is now the “normal” model, and doing things manually or traditionally merits calling you “old-fashioned.” Businesses, both small and large, and their consumers all understand the value of technology and how it can be used to improve everyone’s lives. In this article, we’re going to take a look at technological advances we can all expect in the upcoming year.
Focus on Remote Work and Digitalization
Experts predict that by the beginning of 2022, 70 percent of all forms of businesses and organizations will have increased their usage of digital technology. As part of a hybrid working model, businesses will have more of their staff working remotely while a few work in the office. By focusing on a digital strategy, a company can respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with high quality and tailored consumer experiences that scale to meet a completely digital online experience. Employee interaction and collaboration will mostly be done through the virtual sphere, as it optimizes both worker engagement and productivity no matter where they may be located. Connecting to tools, collaboration software, and experiences digitally are crucial for businesses and workers interacting with distant customers and employees. Of course, just as the employees work remotely, most consumers will also be remote. That’s why it’s critical to invest in collaborative systems and tools to improve the overall experience on both fronts.
Increased Cybersecurity
Being that the world is heavily reliant on digital and online processes, it simply makes sense to hone and fortify it continuously. And that is exactly what many companies and establishments are looking to do. Encryption technology, network micro-segmentation, better firewall, and many other cybersecurity innovations have been making waves in recent times. The popularity of virtual private networks is also skyrocketing as more people are beginning to be concerned about data privacy. Even machine learning is being used to prevent fraud, as AI can now analyze accounts behaving suspiciously and take actions after analysis. Overall, the future of technology is tied hand in hand with cybersecurity, and we can expect a better cybersecurity structure in the near future.
5G Is Here, and It’s Going to Be More Popular
The world has seen the development of 5G, and this year, many people have observed its implementation in modern use. However, the year 2022 is the year when 5G will take over as many major telecommunication companies offer products with 5G functionality. It essentially provides multiple times the power of the last iteration, 4G, by providing higher bandwidth and a more consistent experience. This results in a low-latency connection and a constant speed throughout all devices. Many major network providers are looking to increase or improve their 5G equipment and technology throughout 2022, further bolstering the proliferation of 5G. Technology providers will leverage these capabilities to make their products more immersive on the device and expand the use of the Internet of Things (IoT). And tech companies note this projected increase in available internet speeds. They’re intending on utilizing this improvement to create more service devices through the use of something we’ll be going deeper into, the Internet of Things.
Smart Devices Are Smarter
While the concept of smart devices isn’t exactly new, and we’ve seen a lot of them over the past few years, the basic premise of “smart” products is really just everyday devices running Android as their operating system. But with continuous development in machine learning, these very same smart devices (be they oven toasters, vacuum cleaners, or more) can now do more than just run Android. Their battery management software has improved leaps and bounds. They can “remember” and “learn” their functions using algorithms that analyze your regular use, and most importantly, developed AI good enough to operate autonomously and function with very little human interference required. Nowadays, instead of just using smart devices for basic automating tasks, they can be told to learn and adapt depending on how you utilize them. Most smart devices also contain microphones and voice recognition software, further removing the need for typing—you only need to talk to it. In 2022, we’re going to see even more of these types of gadgets popping up, as more and more businesses are focused on delivering solutions that adapt and adjust depending on their user’s circumstances.
Final Thoughts
2020 and 2021 saw sudden increases in reliance on technology, but the world has primarily understood how to make it work for them. In 2022, we can expect this trend to continue, but a significant increase in efficiency and quality.