It was in demand only among amateurs and designers. They created one-off prototypes out of plastic because other materials, such as metal, made printing an expensive and impossibly long process.
Nowadays, 3D printing makes it possible to easily and quickly produce objects from any material, including metal. This means businesses don't have to store mountains of parts in stock. Once an order has been received, it can be immediately produced and sent to the client. In the long term, factories will become more versatile. Manufacturers will be able to produce parts of varying complexity without additional equipment.
static1.squarespace.comEmbryologists at the University of Cambridge were able to artificially create mouse embryos from stem cells. This achievement opens up new possibilities for understanding how life began.
We knew that stem cells had powerful potential, but we had no idea that they could organize themselves into such structures.
Magdalena Zernica-Götz, Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Biology
The next step, according to Magdalena, will be the creation of an artificial embryo from human stem cells. Scientists at the University of Michigan and Rockefeller University are working on this.
Artificial human embryos will help study the very concept of life. However, this case raises a number of ethical questions. What if they turn out to be indistinguishable from real embryos? How long can they be grown in a lab before they feel pain?
businessinantwerp.eu The concept of a “smart city” is still from the realm of science fiction. All plans to create such an infrastructure still exist only on paper. However, the New York company Alphab's Sidewalk Labs, as part of the Quayside project, is going to rethink this idea and create an entire quarter in Toronto using the latest digital technologies.
Alphab's Sidewalk Labs plans to deploy a variety of sensors that will collect information about the city and its inhabitants. The project plan talks about automated vehicles and robots working in the subway. In addition, the company will make the software publicly available so that developers can create and implement their services.
Alphab's Sidewalk Labs intends to closely monitor public life. This decision is causing concern among city residents. They worry about . However, Sidewalk Labs employees believe that they can resolve this issue.
Other North American cities are already in line to join the Quayside project, according to government agency Waterfront Toronto.
I've already received calls from San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles and Boston asking to implement the system.
Will Fleisig, CEO, Waterfront Toronto
learnfly.com (AI) was an expensive toy for large companies like Amazon, Baidu, Google and Microsoft, but for the rest it turned out to be an inaccessible and incomprehensible tool. However, industry giants plan to place their developments in cloud services so that others can use them.
Until now, this area has been dominated by AWS, a subsidiary of Amazon. Google did not stand aside and developed TensorFlow, an open source AI library. It is used to develop programs with machine learning. The search giant recently announced Cloud AutoML. This is a set of systems that will make AI easier to use.
Microsoft teamed up with Amazon to create Gluon, an open-source machine learning library. It should help create neural networks, a key artificial intelligence technology that roughly imitates human learning.
It is not yet known which company will become the market leader. In any case, consumers will benefit.
fraunhofer.de Artificial intelligence has an excellent understanding of subjects. Show him a million photographs, and he will determine with extraordinary accuracy where a pedestrian is shown crossing the road. However, AI has long been deprived of the ability to create on its own. If artificial intelligence had imagination, it could use it to learn. For example, a neural network in a self-driving car would learn to recognize people on the road without having to go outside.
University of Montreal graduate student Ian Goodfellow has proposed a solution to this problem. He described a method called a “generative adversarial network,” or GAN. The algorithm is built on the interaction of two neural networks - a generator and a discriminator. One of them creates images, and the other compares them with a database and determines authenticity.
Let's take the example of . At the beginning of training, images of a pedestrian will differ from reality. The generator may draw him as having three arms, a huge head, or not looking human at all. The discriminator will reject these images. Eventually, one neural network will draw such a realistic pedestrian that another will not be able to distinguish it from the real one.
GAN is rightfully considered a technological breakthrough. Some experts are confident that with the help of this algorithm, artificial intelligence will learn to better understand the world around it.
1843magazine.static-economist.com This is a fictional creature from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book series by Douglas Adams. A kind of organic implant with which the wearer can understand any language. The fish translates alien speech in real time and transmits signals directly to the brain.
Our technologies are not that advanced yet, but they can also do something. Google announced Pixel Buds headphones, which, in addition to performing their main tasks, can translate foreign speech in real time using a voice assistant. The headphones are currently under development. However, anyone can access basic voice translation technology on their smartphone.
Microsoft is also worth mentioning. The company implemented real-time translation through the Skype application. At this rate, humanity will invent its own Babel fish.
Natural gas is a cheap and accessible source of energy. It produces 30% of electricity in the United States and 22% worldwide. However, this pollutes the environment.
American startup NetPower has built an experimental power plant in Houston. The carbon dioxide produced by burning the gas will be processed or sold to other companies. With the help of new technology, it is possible not only to solve environmental problems, but also to reduce the cost of electricity production.
lobnyamedia.ru Zero-knowledge proof is a protocol that will protect personal data on the Internet. It gained great popularity thanks to the Zcash cryptocurrency, which was launched in 2016. The developers used a method called zk-SNARK to allow users to make anonymous transactions.
On most public blockchains, transactions are visible to everyone. In theory, they are anonymous, but by combining data from other sources, the user can be tracked. Vitalik Buterin, the creator of Etherium, the second most popular blockchain network, called zk-SNARK “a technology that is absolutely changing the game.”
Banks will be able to process payments without disclosing customer information. Last year, JPMorgan Chase added zk-SNARK to its proprietary blockchain-based payment system. Ordinary users will not be left out either. For example, they will be able to prove that they have enough money on the card without revealing bank details.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done. zk-SNARK is a complex and slow technology that requires additional configuration.
9. Genetic predictions
nationmagazine.ru It turns out that the most common diseases, character and behavior traits, as well as intelligence depend not on one or several genes, but on their combinations. Using data from large genetic studies, scientists have developed so-called polygenic risk scores.
New DNA tests will help create more effective drugs. Pharmaceutical companies will be able to use test results in laboratory research. For example, recruit a group of volunteers who are at risk of developing it to test new drugs.
The problem with DNA tests is that, in addition to diseases, they can reveal character traits and even level of intelligence. On the one hand, this is good, on the other hand, it is unknown how teachers and parents will handle this information. How will raising children change if parents discover a low level of intelligence in a child?
geekinsight.ru Chemists have long dreamed of effective drugs based on new proteins, powerful batteries and compounds that can turn sunlight into liquid fuel. We don't have all these things because it's very difficult to model molecules on modern computers. Not enough power.
Try to imitate the behavior of electrons even in a simple molecule, and you will encounter great difficulties. However, everything will change soon. IBM researchers recently simulated the molecule using a 7-qubit quantum computer. Over time, researchers will be able to simulate more complex molecules on machines with more qubits.
The depletion of mineral deposits on land creates incentives to find new ways to extract them. In recent years, microorganisms have been actively used to extract metals from low-grade ores and industrial waste. For example, recycling 1 million cell phones can yield 16 tons of copper, 350 kg of silver, 34 kg of gold and almost 15 kg of palladium.
There is growing interest in developing deep-sea deposits containing virtually inexhaustible reserves of rare earth metals. The prospect of commercial development of space subsoil also no longer looks like science fiction - projects are starting to mine metals on the Moon and asteroids and process them in space orbital factories. These breakthrough technologies will be discussed in this issue.
Modern logistics is changing under the influence of many factors. The demands of consumers in the B2B and B2C segments are increasing in terms of speed, quality and transparency of processes. New market models (sharing economy, crowdsourcing, etc.) are changing the nature of logistics processes and the architecture of chains, reducing a number of links. New players are entering the traditional market: these are startups offering more flexible pricing solutions for delivery using new technologies (for last-mile delivery, cargo rates, etc.), and large players from high-tech industries (autonomous transport, UAVs, etc.) etc.).
Logistics, however, lags behind in terms of digitalization compared to the telecommunications, media, banking and retail sectors. Most traditional logistics companies still involve a lot of manual labor and inefficient use of existing assets (on average, 50% of trucks in the world are returned empty after delivering cargo). And insufficient flexibility and transparency of operations is an obstacle to the integration of logistics processes.
Digitalization of the logistics sector should be based on the creation of a reliable internal digital foundation in companies and the introduction of new business models and services. This issue presents several key areas of transformation of the sector: the use of the “physical” Internet, crowdsourcing in organizing the delivery of goods, solutions for “last mile” delivery.
Increasing globalization and digitalization, the widespread use of big data analysis technologies are radically changing the organization of airspace management and the air transportation market. The world's leading airlines are modernizing location systems to identify the location of aircraft, passengers and baggage as accurately as possible, speed up ground pre-flight preparations, automate and improve service. This newsletter highlights three emerging trends shaping the future of the airline industry: ADS-B air traffic management technologies, the Internet of Things, and RFID tagging.
Currently, sensors for monitoring motion parameters (measuring acceleration, shock, vibration, angles of deviation from a given position) are widely used as tools for controlling the operation of various objects. The basis of such systems is a linear acceleration sensor - an accelerometer. Its use opens up wide possibilities for solving problems in various areas of modern technology. This can be research, geodetic, construction work, mechanical engineering (security systems based on impact sensors), aircraft manufacturing (sensors for adjusting motion parameters), etc. The use of basic microelectronics technologies allows the implementation of such systems on standard equipment and does not require additional financial investments.
The main driving forces of technological change in the 21st century. became intellectualization and miniaturization of technical systems. The development of information, executive and sensory components and their integration on the basis of nano- and microsystem technology (NMST) formed the basis of these processes. As a result, small-sized technical objects with developed capabilities for interaction with the external environment were created. They are indispensable for the deployment of the “digital revolution” in industry and for the creation of applications such as unmanned driving systems, the Internet of things, and intelligent infrastructures. For example, today about 10% of GDP in European countries is directly related to micro- and nanoengineering.
In recent years, nanosystem technology (NST), which has its origins in integrated microelectronics technologies, has become a segment with a rich variety of design and technological areas. The basis for the future of nanosystems should be the unification of their components at the functional, design and information levels. The traditional approach to the development of NST is associated with a consistent reduction in size through various types of processing: lithography, etching, etc. (the so-called “top-down” approach) has its technological limitations. An alternative is the use of new materials and nanotechnologies in the creation of nanosystems (bottom-up approach) and the introduction of self-organization technologies.
Agroforestry is a system of growing crops and raising livestock simultaneously with various forms of forestry (collection, cultivation of non-timber, medicinal and food products) on forested or shrub lands. The resulting effects contribute to increased resource efficiency, monetization of ecosystem services, diversification of activities, and more complete use of the potential of biomass production. For Russia, as a country with vast forest areas that are often used suboptimally, the task of disseminating agroforestry systems is extremely urgent. The use of such technologies will increase the economic potential of forest areas, the quality of soil and water, and also reduce the volume of carbon dioxide emissions into the Earth's atmosphere.
This issue describes promising technologies necessary to maintain the country's food and environmental security and increase the efficiency of forest management: robotic systems with swarm intelligence, genetically modified tree species, automatic forest inventory systems.
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT), which have a profound impact on socio-economic, industrial and other areas. The technological basis of ICT is microelectronics and nanoelectronics (element size less than 100 nm). The number of microelectronic devices in the world is growing exponentially every year. However, only 2% of the total number of manufactured microprocessors are used in computers, the rest are used in other ways. In developed countries, there are already up to 10 thousand microelectronic devices per person.
The available speed of modern electronics is sufficient to solve most everyday problems, but often in the process of work it is necessary to change the configuration of equipment to which there is no physical access. With the expansion of ICT penetration and the development of the Internet of Things, the relevance of removing technological restrictions on the implementation of electronic devices, including through their reconfiguration, is high.
Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is an increasingly pressing global problem. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere in 2016 exceeded the psychologically significant mark of 400 ppm (parts per million - CO 2 particles per million air particles). It is expected that by the end of the century, CO 2 concentrations may approximately double. At the same time, despite the steady growth of solar and wind energy, there is still no competitive alternative to traditional hydrocarbon combustion technologies.
According to the International Energy Agency, the largest share of carbon dioxide emissions comes from the iron and steel industry (30%) and the cement industry (26%). Demand for the products of these industries will increase by 30% and 22% by 2050, respectively. Carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) is recognized as critical to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5-2°C by 2050. The use of these technologies is an effective way to significantly reduce emissions from dirty industries .
The amine purification method used, due to its prohibitive cost, has not found wide application in industry. However, new technological solutions (for example, the use of enzymes, membranes and chemisorbents) will help reduce the cost of this method and its widespread implementation.
Internal combustion engines (ICEs) have been serving humanity for almost 200 years. However, their widespread use results in a number of environmental and resource problems. 26% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Moreover, more than 90% of the fuel used for cars, ships, locomotives and aircraft is derived from oil. When petroleum products are burned, extremely harmful carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and other components are released into the atmosphere. Air pollution causes one in nine deaths worldwide and is recognized as one of the largest health and environmental challenges. A number of developed countries are taking active measures to gradually transition vehicles from internal combustion engines and expand the use of alternative fuel sources. Thus, Germany adopted a law banning the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2030. The country plans to reduce automobile emissions to zero by 2050. Similar initiatives are being discussed in other EU countries, the USA, and India.
More active use of modern alternative power plants will reduce the volume of harmful emissions into the Earth's atmosphere, reduce the cost of maintaining vehicles and increase their efficiency. The development of such technologies will enable countries experiencing a shortage of traditional fuels to reduce their energy dependence. Below we consider promising technologies for new types of engines for cars running on alternative fuels: hydrogen and methanol fuel cells for electric vehicles, as well as internal combustion engines using dimethyl ether.
Over the past few years, various trends have been actively developing related to the fragmentation of media consumption, growth in the capacity of data lines and computing speed of devices, expansion of content produced by users themselves, etc. New technologies are increasingly unifying data and platforms for their delivery, but at the same time making choices viewers and readers in an individualized way, creating a new type of mobile and interactive consumption. As a result, we are witnessing a significant mediatization of various aspects of everyday life: sports, medicine, culture, leisure, etc. In these conditions, monitoring technological trends associated with the development of not only consumption devices, but also content production becomes relevant.
This issue presents technologies in the field of media communications: robotic content production and its localization, immersive virtual reality as a new type of entertainment.
Modern technologies open up new opportunities, making existing business models obsolete and ineffective. Consumers quickly adapt to changes: they master new channels, products and interaction models. Companies that don't adapt to new circumstances go under.
Many new technologies in the world have great potential, but only a few offer real value. That is why it is so important for modern specialists to understand the latest trends and act quickly. Passive admiration from the outside will not bring any results.
To help colleagues in this difficult matter, Deloitte Consulting conducted a large-scale study of the leading technical trends of 2017 and tried to predict their impact on marketing and business. This is the brand’s eighth annual report in this area. And it must be said that most of their conclusions turned out to be correct. For example, Deloitte Consulting predicted the growth in popularity and development of machine learning and artificial intelligence back in 2014.
The data and analytics collected as part of this study will help you identify the most promising areas of development and intelligently realize the full potential of your business.
1. IT without borders
Many companies are modernizing their business models, with the most forward-thinking ones creating cross-functional teams and blurring the boundaries between IT departments. They also look beyond their own organization to keep a close eye on the talent market, forming new types of relationships with suppliers, incubators and academic institutions.
As IT increasingly begins to dominate business strategy, companies are paying special attention to training employees and managers, who must master not only basic but also the latest technologies.
To implement this approach, organizational models, IT processes and support systems must be adapted. The results are worth it: services will become “unlimited” and more efficient, transforming the entire IT organization.
Over the past 10 years, the world's leading companies have begun to implement a completely different approach to IT. They shifted their focus from building and maintaining systems to introducing new technologies and simplifying processes. In the next 18-24 months, a new stage of IT transformation will begin: approaches to team work and collaboration with business and external partners will change. Simply put, IT will go beyond the usual boundaries. We expect the following changes:
- IT Acceleration. It will be especially noticeable in requirements management, testing and technology implementation, where high speed is required to obtain results.
- Early automation. Automation platforms allow IT to effectively manage resources and all elements into a single system.
- Breaking down the boundaries between IT and business. According to the 2016 Global CIO Survey of 1,200 IT executives, 78% of respondents believe strategy alignment is critical to success. The next phase of IT transformation will be the transition to a new level of cooperation with business and its support.
- Development of new approaches. To effectively fulfill its core function and open up opportunities, IT will begin to collaborate in new ways with partners, suppliers, academic organizations and startups that can inspire and support the desire to generate fresh ideas and develop unique resources.
Where to begin?
You can start IT transformation in your organization using the following approaches:
- Earn the trust of management. Work as a mixed team and convince business leaders that the solution will continue to be supported after development is complete.
- Change your view of IT as a service. Formulate common goals and focus on their implementation. However, do not forget about the traditional functions of ensuring the reliability, availability and security of technology.
- Set new challenges for employees. Shift their focus to innovation and encourage creative thinking. But first, automate routine processes to free up their time for value-creating tasks.
- Assemble an Innovation Council. It is important not only to erase the boundaries between departments, but also to unite management. Invite representatives from IT, business, marketing, finance and other areas into a single group responsible for innovation.
- Expand your boundaries. Changing the way you work is not easy, especially if you've been relying on one proven strategy for years. Invite experts from other fields into your group to start seeing things differently.
Today, many companies simply need to reconsider their approach to development. Breaking IT boundaries will help you achieve the speed and agility you need to adapt to ever-changing environments and stay ahead of your competitors.
2. “Dark” analytics
Many organizations are faced with the problem of unstructured data. However, only a few companies are discovering non-traditional data sources such as images, audio and video, the Internet of things and unexplored corners of the network. However, modern technologies: computer vision, pattern recognition systems and cognitive analytics help shed light on “dark” sources of information, thanks to which businesses can significantly improve their decision-making process.
In times of rapid technological development, data is a competitive advantage. They allow you to confirm or refute assumptions, as well as make the right decisions.
Until recently, a passive approach to data and analytics was standard practice. Its purpose is to create a report within a specific company system or function. Accordingly, the conclusions obtained were either limited or useless.
Today, experts use distributed databases, machine learning, visualization and other technologies to answer their questions and identify patterns. Analytics has begun to dominate the IT field. According to the 2016 Global CIO Survey, analytics is a priority area for investment.
Mastering new tools and skills will lead to the fact that in the next 18-24 months, more and more companies will begin to turn to “dark” analytics: the study of unstructured data that allows them to evaluate all the nuances of a business. This approach focuses on data sources such as messages, documents, video, audio and images, as well as unindexed resources on the web.
The Internet universe doubles in size every year. It is expected to reach 44 trillion gigabytes by 2020. At the same time, only a small part of the data is “on the surface”. And with the world expected to have 20.8 billion connected devices by 2020, companies will have many new sources to gather information.
Where to begin?
Early preparation for working with dark data will allow your organization to gain valuable insights today and expand its capabilities in the future. This process begins with a series of steps:
- Ask the right questions. Before diving into the ocean of data, discuss with your team what questions you want answered. Then start working only with relevant sources.
- Analyze data beyond the organization. You can supplement your own data with publicly available information. This will allow conclusions to be drawn in a relevant context.
- Involve multidisciplinary specialists. Analysts play a vital role in any organization, especially if they have experience in various fields.
- Master Visualization Tools. Not everyone in your company will be able to understand and apply complex statistics to their work. Visualizing them will allow you to convey to each team member the meaning of your conclusions.
- Incorporate analytics into your overall business strategy. It's time to stop treating it like an IT function. And for this you need to enlist the support of management.
- Think big. Your new data strategy should become part of the business architecture so that all team members can use it.
Because much of the data on the web is still unexplored, organizations will discover new sources of valuable information. However, it is important not to lose focus and clearly formulate the questions you want answered.
3. Machine intelligence
Thanks to rapid development, unique, but often underestimated, AI capabilities have emerged, such as machine learning, deep learning, cognitive analysis, robotics and bots. They can improve employee efficiency, cope with complex tasks, and even simulate human communication.
Using analytics to identify patterns has opened up many new opportunities for companies to think differently about interacting with customers, developing employee skills, and creating new products and services.
Artificial intelligence is already capable of performing some tasks that until recently were only available to humans. However, it is only part of the cognitive computing development system. Machine intelligence (MI), such as machine learning, cognitive analytics and bots, play a much more significant role.
Companies around the world are introducing machines into various processes, and the number will only grow in the next few months. Spending in this area will reach $31.3 billion by 2019. And according to the 2016 Global CIO Survey, 64% of IT executives named cognitive technologies an important area for investment in the next two years.
Where to begin?
Today, complex algorithms and analytical techniques make it possible to solve problems and automate many processes. Machine intelligence will be especially useful in the following areas:
- Data curation. MI is able to analyze every element of data and suggest effective ways to solve emerging problems.
- Solving complex problems. By clearly defining the problem, choosing the right techniques, and providing the right conditions, you can apply machine intelligence to solve more complex problems.
- Cooperation. Consider partnering with service providers who are willing to invest in your efforts. Also collaborate with scientists and experts to gain valuable experience.
- Industrialized analytics. Deploy trusted approaches, platforms, and tools across the enterprise.
Artificial intelligence makes more headlines, but machine intelligence is much more important for business. Its application will allow organizations to move from retrospective analytics to . The ability to obtain such data and use it to automate problem solving signals the beginning of a new cognitive era.
4. Mixed reality
The potential of augmented and virtual reality continues to grow, with companies discovering new ways to use them. An important role in this process has been played by the development of the Internet of Things: sensors and connected devices that allow the creation of an integrated and expanded digital and physical landscape. 2D screens are starting to give way to tools that use sensors, gestures, voice, environment and Internet content. It's time to start exploring this new world.
Advancements in augmented and virtual reality have the potential to change the way we interact with technology. The potential of these areas is not limited to games and entertainment; more and more organizations are starting to use AR, VR and IoT in their strategies. For the first time, these technologies began to be used in the areas of healthcare, supply chain management and the creation of smart city infrastructure.
Mixed reality (MR) is a controlled combination of virtual and augmented reality, as well as the Internet of things. As part of this trend, the virtual and real worlds are creating a new environment in which digital and physical objects coexist and interact. MR allows you to create more natural interfaces and deliver the necessary information to any location. It can be effectively used for training, operations, communications, marketing, customer service and shopping.
Companies around the world are investing in platforms, devices and software as they look to replace displays with a new paradigm of communication and collaboration. If they succeed, we will see global changes in the approach to interaction with users.
Where to begin?
In the near future, mixed reality could significantly impact how companies present their products and how customers interact with them. You should start introducing new technology into your business with the following steps:
- Try the technology. Remember that in addition to providing an amazing experience, mixed reality should also offer other capabilities needed to realize your business goals.
- Go beyond. Using MR to improve an existing strategy can be ineffective. Don't be afraid to start with a clean slate.
- Debunk the myths. Mixed reality is not a piece of science fiction. These technologies are already being actively developed and put into mass production.
- Don't miss the opportunity. You shouldn’t stop only at today’s popular devices. Invest your budget in promising areas.
- OT and IT. In some industries, MR can take operational technology and information technology collaboration to the next level. In this case, the creation of new infrastructure will be required.
Mixed reality harnesses the full potential of AR, VR and IoT technologies, combining the best of virtual and physical realities. It makes digital content physically tangible and . As a result, companies can blur the lines between reality and fantasy, making it easier to make decisions, process important information, and share data. Without a doubt, MR is the future of engagement.
5. Flexible architecture
Organizations are re-architecting themselves with a combination of open resources and standards, visualization and containerization. At the same time, they are actively introducing automation, connecting existing and new platforms, and often relying on cloud services to do this. All of these steps are part of a growing trend toward standardizing flexible architecture models that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver desired results quickly.
According to the 2016 Global CIO Survey, 46% of respondents named “simplifying IT infrastructure” as their top priority. At the same time, almost a quarter of managers rated the reliability, functionality and efficiency of their systems as unsatisfactory.
In the next 18-24 months, IT professionals can find a solution to these problems in a flexible architecture, the mass adoption of which is almost inevitable. This model focuses on cloud services and virtual platforms that are automated and tightly coupled.
Such a flexible architecture is an excellent basis for the rapid development and implementation of innovative solutions, which contributes to the company's growth in conditions of fierce competition and saving resources.
Where to begin?
To effectively build an agile architecture in your organization, follow these guidelines:
- Formulate your own principles. Approaches to creating a flexible architecture depend on the needs and capabilities of the company. Determine the principles and priorities that will guide you as you implement the new approach.
- Assign roles. Before you begin, decide which ones you will use, who will benefit from them, and what purposes they will be needed to achieve. This will allow you to develop a more accurate and detailed strategy.
- Unite teams. Form groups of specialists from different fields to work on the project. To make concepts easier to understand, use data visualization.
- Consider business interests. Shift your focus from the short-term needs of individual teams to the long-term needs of multiple groups of employees.
Modern companies can no longer afford to ignore the impact of slow technological developments, as well as the isolation and complexity of IT processes on their bottom line. Transforming architecture using cloud technologies, visualization platforms and containers will help businesses face the future with confidence.
6. All-as-a-service
Many companies are repurposing their capabilities and products into service packages that can be used both internally and externally. However, the new approach requires significant changes in IT and platform updates.
Innovation in technology opens up new opportunities for companies to completely change the way they work and interact with customers and partners.
New internet products and offerings coupled with analytics, social media and mobile devices have led to the emergence of business models built around intuitive experiences and . But can modern IT systems support these innovations? More often than not, no.
IT professionals must shift their focus to creating customer-centric, valuable building blocks that can support future business growth. Over the next 18 to 24 months, everything-as-a-service (XaaS) will increasingly become a part of business models.
XaaS positions capabilities, products, and processes not as vertical, isolated offerings, but as a collection of horizontal services that can be used by all teams in an organization. The new approach allows you to increase operational efficiency and begin to interact with customers, employees and partners in a new way.
Where to begin?
Start the transition from systems to services with the following steps:
- Review existing proposals. Review existing systems and products. Can they be turned into services to enhance your business model?
- Start small. When implementing a new approach, start with small elements - a system for tracking the availability of goods in a warehouse or a customer support service. Don't immediately repurpose basic offerings.
- Implement the approach in stages. First change or update platforms, then add new capabilities, resolve conflicts, and implement new solutions into the system. If the risks are too great, you should reconsider your priorities.
- Attract new employees. Invite specialists into your team who already have experience working with XaaS.
- Assess the consequences. Changing just one element in the IT ecosystem can affect the entire workflow. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the new service fits into the business architecture.
Transforming existing products, processes and systems into service packages can help streamline IT operations and even generate new revenue streams.
1. Smart apps
“Since each of us is registered on several social networks, I think in 2018 they will create several applications that will allow you to easily repurpose content according to a specific platform. For example, turn a series of blog posts into an e-book or present the key topics of a webinar in the form of easy-to-understand infographics. Also, I look forward to the availability of user-friendly video editing apps on smartphones,” Syed Balkhi, OptinMonster.
2. Internet of Things
“Now there are IoT devices in almost every industry, all things are becoming “smart”. We encounter these technologies at home, in the car, in the office and in the shopping center. I think this trend will continue to spread in 2018, proving its worth,” Andy Carusa, FenSens.
3. Artificial Intelligence
“AI will continue to be a major topic in technology discussions and conferences, and huge amounts of money will continue to be invested in its development. Perhaps 2018 will see an AI breakthrough that will completely change the relationship between businesses and customers." - Daniel Wesley, Quote.com.
“Our beliefs and feelings are the fruit of unconscious systems of the brain”
Bitcoin Became the Third Largest Financial Bubble in History
Technologies
7. “Word of mouth”
“In my opinion, word of mouth will become the main driving force in 2018. Digital budgets will include funds for promotion through referral marketing, affiliate programs and opinion leaders,” Jeff Epstein, Ambassador.
8. Video and VR/AR/360-degree headsets
“The more interested we are in video content, the more money is invested in it. In 2018, the main trend will be VR/AR/360-degree headsets. In addition, they can be a great way to introduce customers to your business or clearly demonstrate all the services you provide.” - Solomon Timothy, OneIMS.
9. Blockchain
“Today, blockchain is used in many industries, starting with payment systems, continuing with the real estate market and ending with brokerage operations. I think the trend will only increase in 2018, and many more companies will start using it for their needs,” Angela Ruth, Calendar.
AI helped find natural analogues of drugs against cancer and aging
10. Cybersecurity
“One of the main topics of 2017 was cybersecurity - or rather, the lack thereof. Remember, at least, the hacker one. Clients are only now beginning to fully understand the scale of the danger. After Facebook and Google testify at open congressional hearings, the discussion of the problem will move from public space to private space, where specific issues of countering cybercriminals will be addressed,” - Ashish Datta, Setfive Consulting.
11. Distribution of cloud computing
“In 2017, more and more companies began to move their production workloads to the cloud. Thanks to blockchain, this trend will continue to develop in 2018. With its help, they will be able to control supply chains and IDM,” Mike Schrade, Auptimal.
The first quantum computer using 53 qubits was created
12. Bots
“A variety of bots have become extremely widespread: from ordinary ones on social networks to advanced
In the coming year, artificial intelligence will turn from a job killer into a job creator, and travel companies and retailers will make their offers more personalized for each buyer. But one after another, even large and stable companies that cannot cope with the protection of user data will die. 2018 will be the year of voice recognition, machine learning and the transition to the masses. Here are the main directions in which technologies will develop in different industries.
Financial markets
2018 will be "the year of artificial intelligence", with exponential use of AI. The gap in the level of proficiency in AI technologies will lead to a war for talent, many specialties and jobs will appear that did not exist before: specialists with the skills of developing adaptive software, understanding the mechanism of face and speech recognition, the operation of an artificial neural network, etc. will be in demand. .
The complexity and power of new AI programs will stimulate the development of cybersecurity of financial and personal data. While providing such programs with the necessary data to solve certain problems, it is difficult to protect all information from unauthorized use. Not only companies operating in the financial sector will have to implement multi-level data protection systems, but also everyone who works with personal and sensitive data: booking services, medical organizations, online stores, engineering organizations, etc.
Usage machine learning(machine learning, ML) for financial data analysis will explode, especially in the area of unstructured data, such as company and customer news. Better analysis of news and analytical texts about companies, markets and internal communications of financial organizations will allow us to generate effective investment ideas and combat unfair behavior of market participants. And new large-scale data processing technologies will make it possible to use a wider range of data to manage investment risks.
The development of AI technologies is driving revolutionary changes in regulation of financial markets. One of the regulatory benefits of AI is the ability to help banking systems avoid collapses and assess the risks of a domino effect. The point is that AI can identify patterns and connections in data that humans cannot recognize, and compare data from different periods with greater accuracy and speed. This will allow us to predict possible developments. In addition, AI allows you to track problems that arise with banks in real time.
Digitalization User experience will remain a key priority. People are accustomed to convenient solutions and interfaces (such as apps for calling a taxi), and they want banks to have similar services. A mobile bank should function both on a personal computer and on a mobile phone, and be intuitive - users will not waste time on low-quality solutions. Companies that fail to provide comfort while maintaining the security of financial and personal information risk losing customers.
The importance of operational risk management ( operational risk management, ORM) will increase, and the legacy systems that many financial institutions still use, combined with underdeveloped data management practices, make it difficult to measure business risk. With the help of AI, this problem can be solved without a large-scale reorganization.
More and more people will understand the benefits of other distributed ledger technologies ( distributed ledger technologies, DLT), which will lead to their significant spread (not related to the growth of cryptocurrencies). The emergence of new types of blockchain or its crossover with other technologies, such as IoT, looks promising. In 2018, DLT will be increasingly used in international transfers, supply chain management systems, as well as for storing personal data for KYC (know your customer) and electronic identification.
Travel and virtual reality
Travel companies will continue to invest in personalization software(analyzes the user's personal preferences) to improve the user experience. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are also gaining momentum: companies see promise in automating simple business processes. Until recently, orders, wishes, and customer preferences were collected manually and formed into a profile. Already now, most large travel agencies and hotels automatically record this data when creating new offers. The next step is to predict customer wishes. For example, accommodation options at ski resorts shortly before the new season will be offered to those who have previously repeatedly booked hotels for a holiday in the mountains.
Speech technologies(voice activated technologies) in the travel industry may soon eclipse the popularity of mobile applications. Voice assistants installed on mobile devices in users' homes and offices may soon begin to play the role of travel agents. Booking tickets, hotels, transfers, viewing the weather forecast, studying restaurant reviews and building routes to attractions can be entrusted to the voice assistant. He will not only advise when is the best time to travel, select suitable tickets, the most convenient hotels with the maximum rating and location near places that may be of interest to you, but will also offer to book a table in a restaurant that your friends liked. Companies have already begun to turn futuristic visions into reality. Thus, Expedia is considering a partnership with Amazon Alexa to order bookings using voice commands.
A virtual reality(virtual reality, VR) and augmented reality(augmented reality, AR) will change online shopping for travelers. With the help of these technologies, the choice of a place to go or a hotel becomes clearer - you can see a real picture and evaluate the cleanliness of the beach or the level of comfort in the room. Marriott, Best Western, Kayak, Carlson Rezidor and Airbnb are already using these technologies when booking rooms, and in the coming year there will be a noticeable increase in the number of such companies. Virtual reality technology will become more accessible, and its capabilities as a new marketing promotion channel will be used more often.
Robots will be used to register check-ins at hotels, provide information support and entertainment for guests, and provide room service. Robotic Process Automation(RPA) will help businesses perform repetitive administrative tasks better and cheaper.
Telecom and IoT
Technologies 5G will enable the development and deployment of new types of digital services. Thanks to low signal latency and improved throughput, the technology will allow the integration of several types of IoT devices. This means that communication services for autonomous driving, augmented and virtual reality and tactile Internet (a new type of communication that transmits not only information, but also tactile sensations) will be developed. Korea Telecom (KT) will showcase a trial 5G mobile platform at the Winter Olympics. But the full implementation of the technology will not occur until 2020 - telecommunications companies are only setting the time frame for the deployment of networks.
By 2020, 25 billion remote devices will be created. ( internet of things, IoT) will help connect 4.4 billion of them. Digital transformation will present new opportunities for the telecommunications industry, including the construction of platforms and applications for the transport, agriculture, healthcare, insurance and home sectors.
Blockchain in medicine
Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies will be sensitive to blockchain, using it to analyze patient data for research purposes. Currently, the data is stored on hospital servers and the patient has no ability to manage it. If this is transferred to the blockchain, the patient will be able to control access and, if he wants, sell his data to pharmaceutical companies. Accordingly, companies will have more access to information that is valuable to them.
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in telemedicine will accelerate as it spreads machine learning(ML) and natural language processing methods(natural language processing). This will provide customers with a personalized experience, help increase efficiency and reduce costs in the healthcare system. DataArt created a prototype application to demonstrate the capabilities of AI and ML in medicine. It is a telemedicine platform connected to IBM Watson, a voice-to-text program. Watson listens to the conversation between the patient and the doctor and records it in a log, which significantly reduces the doctor's documentation burden and allows him to focus on the patient. Another AI element reads the conversation log using natural language processing and integrates with a set of medical tools to identify the chief complaint, encode it in the electronic health system and support the doctor in choosing the necessary medical measures. It is unlikely that AI will replace doctors, but it will definitely expand their capabilities, reduce bureaucratic burden and minimize errors.
Retail and distribution
Retailers will continue digital transformation, driven by online sales from leading industry players. Thanks to the introduction of scalable Agile technologies, changes will occur both in the IT landscape of retailers and in their business models as a whole. Among these changes are omni-channel strategies, which are not yet well used even by large networks. The store as a shopping destination will transform into a store as a showroom: customers will try/test/touch products before deciding to buy online.